Today, were classing it up. Get out the stemware and pop open the cork. Let’s talk about why seafood and wine go so well together and how to do it right.
It might seem like an odd mix of status symbols, but the lightness of champagne goes well with the fat of fried food. Opt for a glass of sparkling wine if youre enjoying tempura-fried shrimp or fish and chips.
Most of the time, white wine and white fish go well together. A nice pinot grigio and baked halibut are no different. The crisp fruitiness of this popular white wine will bring out the best in every flavor of your fish, even if you keep the preparation simple with olive oil, herbs, and lemon.
There is something magical about sauvignon blanc and garlic. It goes so well with shrimp scampi, which is full of garlic and butter. Yes, you can drink a glass of the wine you use to make the sauce. Don’t tell anyone.
A slightly fuller-bodied white wine, chardonnay is a great choice for richer seafood, like crab legs. As a dry wine, chardonnay goes well with the rich flavor of crab meat. Just remember to hold your pinkies up when you crack open a claw.
For salmon, a lighter red wine, like a pinot noir, goes well with its fattier flesh. Many white wines go well with salmon. But keep this in mind: this combination works even better when the salmon is paired with a heartier sauce or flavor. Think cream sauce, pesto or even something tomato-based.
With these pairings in mind, you can go forth and pour a glass with confidence. Now lets hurry up and get cooking. All this talk of drinking and eating has us hungry….
Crab legs are a delicious seafood treat that deserve a great wine pairing to bring out their best flavor. But with so many wine options how do you know what wine goes best with crab legs? As a seafood lover and wine enthusiast I’ve tried all kinds of wine and crab pairings to find the perfect matches. In this ultimate guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about pairing wines with crab legs.
Why Wine and Crab Legs Go So Well Together
Seafood and wine are natural partners because the flavors complement each other beautifully. The sweet, briny taste of crab meat calls for a wine that will enhance its delicate flavor without overpowering it. Additionally, the right wine can cut through the richness of crab legs and cleanse the palate.
Some specific reasons wine pairs so nicely with crab legs
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Enhances natural sweetness: The right wine brings out the subtle sweetness of the crab meat.
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Balances texture: The acidity in wine contrasts the crab’s creamy texture.
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Complements saltiness: Wine balances the brininess of crab legs.
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Adds complexity: Wine’s fruit notes layer with crab flavors.
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Elevates the dining experience: Perfect pairings make crab legs a gourmet meal.
Best White Wines for Crab Legs
White wines are the classic choice with seafood, especially crab. The bright acidity of white wines matches beautifully with crab legs. Here are some excellent white wine varieties to try:
1. Chardonnay
Buttery, oak-aged Chardonnay is one of the most popular pairings with crab. A medium-bodied, lightly oaked Chard has just enough richness to complement the crab’s sweetness. Its vanilla-kissed oak flavors add complexity.
2. Pinot Gris
With its crisp acidity and fruity flavors, Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) works magic with crab legs. It cuts through the brininess and highlights the crab’s sweetness. It’s especially good with chilled crab meat.
3. Chablis
This unoaked Chardonnay has a lean minerality and bright citrus notes that complement sweet crab meat beautifully. Pair a Chablis with jumbo stone crab claws for a match made in heaven.
4. Sauvignon Blanc
The zippy acidity of Sauvignon Blanc balances the richness of crab legs perfectly. Its grassy, gooseberry flavors add intrigue. Pair it with crab cakes or hot crab dip.
5. Riesling
Riesling has high acidity that cuts through crab’s richness, while its subtle sweetness pairs well with the natural sweetness of the crab meat. Off-dry Riesling works brilliantly.
6. Albariño
This Spanish white grape makes a medium-bodied, aromatic wine that’s a fantastic pair for crab legs. It has mouthwatering acidity, ripe stone fruit flavors, and often a hint of salinity that echoes the brininess of crab.
7. Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc makes a crisp, fruity wine that stands up well to crab. Its tangy acidity cuts through the richness while melon and peach flavors complement the sweetness of the crab.
8. Grüner Veltliner
This Austrian grape produces white wines with bright acidity, spice, and stone fruit notes. It can handle crab legs’ richness while lending lots of flavor interest. Grüner Veltliner is very food-friendly.
9. Vermentino
Salty, citrusy Vermentino has enough weight and acid to pair with crab yet still feels fresh. The lemon-lime notes echo crab’s brininess. Vermentino is perfect for garlicky, lemony crab dishes.
10. Txakoli (chock-oh-lee)
This tart, lightly sparkling wine from Spain’s Basque region has racy acidity that cuts through crab’s richness beautifully. Txakoli often has briny or sea spray characteristics that complement crab’s ocean-fresh flavors.
Best Red Wines for Crab Legs
While whites are traditional, don’t overlook red wines with crab legs. Light-bodied reds with bright acidity pair beautifully. Bolder reds also work with spicy crab dishes. Here are tasty options:
1. Pinot Noir
With its cherry flavors, earthiness, and food-friendly acidity, Pinot Noir is a fantastic light red pairing for crab. The crab’s sweetness plays off the touch of sweet fruit in the wine.
2. Beaujolais
From France’s Gamay grape, Beaujolais has mouthwatering acidity, tart cherry and berry fruit, and low tannins. Its light body suits crab legs perfectly. Chill it slightly for the best pairing.
3. Barbera
This Italian grape makes medium-bodied wines with robust cherry flavors and plenty of acidity. Barbera has enough weight for crab yet still feels fresh. It also has mild tannins that won’t overpower the crab.
4. Valpolicella
Fruity, medium-bodied Valpolicella has the acidity to cut through crab’s richness and pleasant bitter notes to contrast the sweetness. Made from Italy’s Corvina grape, it’s an exciting choice with crab cakes.
5. Zweigelt
Austria’s star red grape Zweigelt makes easy-drinking, fruit-forward wines with vivid acidity and light tannins. They have just the right balance for pairing with sweet crab meat. Zweigelt is very versatile with food.
6. Grenache
The grape behind Southern Rhône’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape makes light, fruity wines that work well with crab. Grenache-based blends have raspberry flavors and enough weight to stand up to crab.
7. Cabernet Franc
With more acidity and less tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc has an elegance that suits crab legs. Its moderate body and red fruit flavors complement crab without overshadowing it.
Best Sparkling Wines for Crab
The zip and tiny bubbles of sparkling wine cut through crab’s richness beautifully. Dry styles work best to balance the briny sweetness of crab meat. Consider:
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Champagne: The ultimate luxury pairing, Champagne has mouthwatering acidity, complexity, and elegant bubbles to match sweet crab meat.
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Prosecco: This affordable Italian bubbly has fresh apple and peach flavors that complement crab legs nicely. Its sparkle refreshes the palate.
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Cava: Spanish Cava offers crisp green apple flavors, lemony acidity, and fine bubbles to wash down briny crab and contrast its richness.
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Sparkling Rosé: The berry flavors and creamy bubbles of sparkling Rosé match wonderfully with crab’s delicate sweetness.
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Crémant: French Crémants like those from Burgundy and Loire offer classy, food-friendly sparkling wines that pair beautifully with crab legs.
Pairing Tips for Crab-and-Wine Bliss
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Match the body of the wine to the crab dish. Go for light wines with simple crab preparations and fuller wines for sauced or spicy crab.
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Acidity is key. Acidity in wine balances crab’s richness. Prioritize crisp, bright wines.
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Don’t overlook rosés. Dry rosés can be fantastic with crab, offering fruity flavors, bright acidity, and a light body.
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Consider regional pairings. Sauvignon Blanc with Dungeness crab or Chablis with Chesapeake Bay crab nods to their origins.
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Temperature matters. Serve whites chilled and reds lightly cool to let their flavors shine.
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Compare flavors. Taste wines side-by-side with crab to understand flavor interactions.
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Try new pairings. Branch out from the expected to find exciting new crab leg pairings.
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Trust your tastebuds. The “right” pairing depends on your individual preference. Sample different options to decide.
Seafood-Loving White Wine Grapes
For white wines that pair impeccably with crab and other seafood, look for these grape varieties:
- Chardonnay – Rich, oak-aged styles work with crab
- Sauvignon Blanc – Zesty, grassy, excellent with briny seafood
- Pinot Gris/Grigio – Fresh, fruity, food-friendly
- Albariño – Spanish white, aromatic, great acidity
- Riesling – Bright, crisp, handles richness well
- Chenin Blanc – Zippy acidity, fruity flavors
- Verdicchio – Italian white, lemon-lime notes, salty minerality
- Grüner Veltliner – Austrian white, crisp with stone fruits
- Muscadet -Bone-dry, lean,
Sourced Straight from Sea to Table
Sourced through trusted experts and chosen for taste, texture and quality.
Flash frozen to lock in the fresh-off-the-dock taste.
Packaged with dry ice and shipped overnight directly to your door.
Simply thaw, prep, heat, and eat.
Pairing Wine With Seafood: Basics of Wine Pairing
FAQ
What kind of wine do you drink with crab legs?
Is Sauvignon Blanc good with crab?
What is the best white wine to cook with crab?
What wine goes with crab?
However, many wines can go with crab. Here are the basic rules: The wine should be white, not too oaky, fairly crisp with acidity and minerality. Save richer, more buttery, oakier whites for lobster.
What wine goes with crab legs & claws?
Worry no more. You can combine your crab, crab legs, and claws with various wine brands. The sweetness of the crab meat is best complemented by a light and dry white such as a Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or red like Pinot Noir. Chablis is a highly regarded white wine produced from the Chardonnay grape in the Burgundy region of France.
Which Sauvignon blanc is best for crab?
Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc is another high-quality bottle that is widely distributed all over the world, though not quite yet a household name. It offers a unique play on the signature New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc style which plays well with a variety of different crab dishes.
What does stone crab wine taste like?
Its natural sweetness helps to create an excellent balance between the salty flavors of succulent stone crabs and the light, refreshing taste of the wine. This wine with stone crab is perfect for a summer day, with its crisp, refreshing notes that linger on the palate.