Maine lobster tails. Thick, creamy chowder. Lobster ravioli. Lobster rolls. LobsterAnywhere knows seafood and delivers perfect lobster dinners. So what’s the best wine to serve with lobster?.
Knowing how to pair food and wine can sometimes be daunting. However, don’t worry! When choosing what to drink with your dinner, red wine goes best with red meat and white wine goes best with white meat. White wines that are light and airy go well with delicate foods, while big, bold meat dishes go great with big, bold wines. Photo of wine and lobster pairing by CMS Certified Sommelier
As a seafood lover, whenever I get my hands on some fresh lobster, I want to make sure I’m serving it with a wine that perfectly complements its sweet, succulent flavor. The richness of lobster demands a wine that can stand up to its butter-soaked decadence without overpowering the delicate meat. Through much delicious research, I’ve discovered the best wines to serve with lobster that will please any shellfish aficionado.
Lobster can be prepared in numerous ways—boiled, grilled, baked—and the cooking method makes a difference when pairing wines The Cardinal rule is ensuring the wine doesn’t clash with or mute the natural sweetness of the lobster. To help you plan your next lobster feast, here are my top recommendations for wines that pair beautifully with this luxe crustacean
Chardonnay
Buttery, oaky Chardonnay is hands-down the classic choice with lobster. The creamy, buttery notes in an oaked Chardonnay complement the melted butter that drenches most lobster dishes. Additionally, Chardonnay has enough weight and texture to stand up to lobster’s richness. The acidity cuts through the butter to keep each bite from feeling too heavy.
When I surveyed friends about their favorite lobster wines, Chardonnay came up first every time. As my buddy James explained, “I always serve a bold California Chardonnay with lobster. The oakiness plays so well with all that butter!”
While oaked styles pair impeccably, even an unoaked Chardonnay can complement lobster’s sweetness Opt for a fuller-bodied white Burgundy or California Chardonnay to match the richness.
Riesling
Riesling may seem like an unconventional choice, but its bright acidity and touch of sweetness makes it one of the most versatile lobster wines. Rieslings from Germany labeled Spätlese or Auslese have just the right amount of residual sugar to bring out the natural sweetness of the lobster meat. Their flavors of ripe peach, apricot and honeysuckle intermingle sublimely with the crustacean.
For lobster dishes with cream sauce or drawn butter, Riesling is magic. The subtle sweetness enhances the sauce while cleansing the palate. As my friend Alicia R. said, “Riesling is my go-to for lobster Newburg or Thermidor. It just elevates the flavors.”
Sauvignon Blanc
For a lighter, brighter pairing, Sauvignon Blanc’s zesty acidity and citrus notes beautifully offset lobster’s richness. The tart grapefruit and lime flavors contrast the sweetness of the meat in a mouthwatering way. Lean towards grassy, herbaceous Styles from New Zealand or France’s Loire Valley. Their crispness stands up to lobster without overpowering it.
“I like Sauvignon Blanc with simple grilled lobster. The citrus flavors complement the smoke,” my buddy Ryan S. told me. For boiled or steamed lobster, the lighter body of Sauvignon Blanc can feel a little too delicate.
Rosé
What’s more summery than lobster with rosé? Dry acidic rosés made from grapes like Grenache and Syrah have soft red fruit flavors that flatter sweeter seafood. The bright acidity cuts through the richness of lobster’s butter-soaked flavor. Plus, nothing feels more celebratory than popping open a bottle of pink wine!
“Rosé just screams summer luxury to me,” my friend Lauren G. said. “I love cracking open a bottle of Provençal rosé and digging into lobster rolls on the deck.”
For the lightest and brightest pairing, look for dry rosés from Provence or Southern France. Their delicate flavors won’t overtake the lobster.
Pinot Noir
Now, on to the reds! Pinot Noir is my top red wine recommendation with lobster. Its lighter body, bright acidity and red fruit flavors complement, rather than compete, with the sweet lobster meat. Pinot Noir also has earthy, savory notes that align with shellfish flavors.
As my friend Thomas R. remarked, “Pinot Noir is my red wine exception for lobster. It’s light enough not to overwhelm the flavor.” Stick with styles from Burgundy, Oregon or California for the best pairings.
Chianti
For a heartier red pairing, classic Chianti has the acidity and savoriness to stand up to lobster in a rustic, delicious way. Notes of tart cherry and herbs in Chianti interact nicely with lobster, especially when there’s a good drizzle of lemon butter involved. Chianti’s medium body and lack of tannins keeps it friendly with seafood.
“I like how Chianti doesn’t overpower the lobster. Its acidity cuts through the butter,” my friend Donna S. told me. An affordable Chianti Classico from Tuscany is perfect for this coastal cuisine pairing.
Key Tips for Picking the Perfect Lobster Wine
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Prioritize acidity to cut through butter and cream sauces.
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Avoid heavy, oaky wines that will overtake the delicate flavor.
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Match the weight of the wine to the preparation. Grilled lobster can handle lighter wines.
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Consider bubbles! Sparkling wines are festive with lobster.
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Don’t be afraid to try off-dry whites like Riesling to complement richness
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Old World wines like Chablis, Sancerre, or Albariño also pair well.
No matter what wine you choose, the most important thing is enjoying it with your meal. The right bottle should complement the lobster, not compete with it. Trust your palate to guide you to that perfect pairing. Cheers to seafood and sip-worthy wines!
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Other Wines to Try with Seafood
Of course, there are a million different wines you could pair with your favorite seafood.
You could try a Vinho Verde from Portugal or a Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley. These wines go well with lobster, most lean fish, raw clams and oysters.
White wines with more body, like Vermentino, Soave, Assyrtiko, Grüner Veltliner, and Viognier from Italy, Greece, and Austria, go well with lobster, crab, and oyster dishes. Also, our friends at Wine Daily wrote a tasty post with more great wine and lobster roll pairs.
The Best Wines to Pair with Lobster
Lobster, with its white meat and delicate flavor, needs a light, fresh companion.
Acidity is key in pairing wine with lobster. Think about how good it is to squeeze some lemon juice on fish. A light, crisp wine with lots of acidity can do the same thing. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio can be great in this regard, but so can Riesling and Chardonnay.
Each of these wines has its strong point:
- Riesling is a grape that people don’t understand. It has a lot of acidity and can be sweet or very dry. A dry riesling from Alsace, France, or the Eden Valley, Australia, goes well with lobster.
- Sauvignon Blanc: A dry and crisp Sauvignon Blanc goes well with a lobster dinner in the summer.
- Chardonnay: There is no grape variety as versatile as Chardonnay. So, there is always a style of Chardonnay that goes with any lobster dish, from lobster tail to lobster claws and even lobster bisque. It ranges from light to full-bodied.
- This is the lightest of these four wines, and it goes well with lobster and most shellfish, as well as crab, oysters, scallops, and most other seafood you can think of. Even though it doesn’t smell as much like herbs as Sauvignon Blanc, it still has that great citrus flavor that goes so well with fish.
As with any dish, the seafood itself, as well as the flavors and sides that it comes with, determine the best way to pair it. If you cook lobster in its shell, cover it in butter, and serve it over buttery polenta, the old rule still works: a big, buttery Chardonnay from California or Australia goes great with it.
For lobster in a lighter sauce (or even better, just straight from the shell), you need a light, firm, and slightly crisp wine to balance out the flavors. A fresh, light Sauvignon Blanc or a dry, fresh Pinot Grigio would be a perfect match.
Remember that lobster is a premium dish, so it needs a premium wine to go with it. Don’t skimp on the price!.
How to pair wine with Lobster || Perfect Wine Pairing With Lobster || Wine Pairing With Seafood
Which wine goes well with lobster?
Textural white wines pair well with lobster poached in butter with spices. For grilled lobster seasoned with spices, a Rhône white wine is a nice choice. Although Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most prestigious appellation of the Southern Rhône, other regional white blends would also make a delicious pairing.
What wine goes with lobster risotto?
In lobster risotto, the lobster’s sweetness and risotto’s creaminess call for a fruity, medium-bodied Pinot Gris like King Estate Pinot Gris. The wine’s subtle citrus and pear flavors echo the dish’s richness and provide balance. 9. Lobster Fra Diavolo: Nero d’Avola
Is Pinot Grigio a good wine to pair with lobster?
Pinot Grigio is a good wine to pair with lobster because its subtlety and lightness allow the lobster’s flavor to shine. Although it doesn’t have the tanginess of Sauvignon Blanc, it still has the dryness and a citrusy flavor that cuts through the fats in lobster meals.
Which wine goes well with lobster Mac & Cheese?
For lobster Mac & Cheese, try pairing it with a buttery or creamy lobster preparation or a high-low pairing with the dish. Alternatively, for a tinge more depth, consider a rosé sparkling wine from Tasmania.