Contributed by Kevin Fagin – Whether you’re a professional wine connoisseur or a casual drinker, you can always enhance your eating experience by choosing the right pairing of wine with your favorite seafood.
But why do we have to create pairings? Can’t we just drink any wine with any seafood of our choice? Well, technically yes, but the experience can be far more enjoyable if you balance the flavors of the wine and seafood.
What Is Wine and Food Pairing?
Wine pairing is the delicate art of matching the right kind of wine to its complementing delicacies. This process helps the diner to enjoy their food by balancing the flavors of the food with that of the wine. This is an old technique that has been recognized in the vocation of cuisines for centuries. With so many different flavors around, wine pairing is an elegant way to get the most out of your experience while eating.
It helps you appreciate the cuisines and experience enjoyment derived from your taste buds. Especially, when combined with seafood, your wine tasting experience can grow manifold.
The 6 Flavor Components
When it comes to wine pairing, there are 6 components that should be considered. These components can be matched with each other to create different flavors and enhance the taste of food as well as the paired wine to go along with it. They are:
- Sweet
- Salty
- Bitter
- Fatty
- Acidic
- Alcohol
But remember, we all have different palates (based on our genetics and environmental upbringing), so have fun in experimenting with the different components, and choose what tastes best to you. With time, you’ll identify some magical combinations.
How To Pair Wine With Seafood You Like?
There are a couple of things you need to look out for before you grab the wine bottle:
- Always aim to match the flavor of your wine to the most prominent flavor of the dish. For example, pasta should be paired with a wine that matches the flavor of its sauce.
- The cooking method and seasoning of the seafood can have an impact on the wine combination. So, go with flavors that complement them.
- When you’re in doubt, go for a crisp white wine or a sparkling wine. The fresh and crisp notes in these wines usually match many different types of seafood.
Five Fun Wine & Seafood Pairings For Beginners
While exploring different pairings can seem intimidating for beginners, you can start with simple yet delicious pairings to get some finger licking flavors.
#1 – White Wine & Light Seafood
Crisp white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Grigio, Albarino, and Pinot can be paired beautifully with seafoods having a higher acidic content. Some examples of these acidic dishes include ceviche, steamed mussels, and grilled shrimps. The higher acidity of these wines balance out the flavors of these dishes to enhance their natural flavors and make a great pairing.
#2 – Rose & Grilled Or Spicy Seafood
Some rose wines such as Provence and Grenache work wonderfully with many different taste notes. They have fruity flavors and acidic tinge that pairs well with tuna poke bowls, shrimp tacos, and grilled salmon. With a light hearted combination of spices and grilling, these seafood dishes pair well with the sweetness of Rose.
#3 – Sparkling & Raw Bar Shellfish
Sparkling wines such as Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco pair beautifully with shellfish like oysters and clams. These are one of the luxurious pairings that work well for parties and celebrations. The effervescence of sparkling wine is great for cleansing your palate and pairing them with towers of seafood that offer a briny freshness to the gourmet and pleasure seeking epicurean.
#4 – Light Red Wines & Smoked Seafood
Some of the best red wines include pinot noir, Gamay, and Grenache. With a vibrancy of fruity flavors and soft tannins, these liqueurs are best suited to aperitifs such as smoked or baked salmon, cedar-planked salmon, tuna steaks that have been grilled, and even smoked trouts. The best way to go about it is to choose red wines that are more acidic and have lower tannins to compliment the delicacies and their smoky tastes.
#5 – Lobster & What?
Probably the most sought after seafood is lobster. It is that one dish which is always ordered when you dine out. The special thing about lobster is that it is cooked in a variety of different manners. It can be baked, grilled, steamed, and even boiled. So naturally the question arises, what wine goes with lobster?
The lobster is a delicate dish to prepare. With its crispy notes and mild sweetness, the selection of wine to pair with lobster depends on the method of cooking. Here are wine pairings that work well with lobster.
For a boiled or steamed lobster, you should go for a serving of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. These light hearted wines suit the buttery and creamy texture of the lobster. However, if you choose to go with baked or grilled lobster, you can’t go wrong with Riesling. The sweet floral notes of Riesling make it a perfect pairing for the sweetness in lobster.
The Final Verdict on Pairing Seafood and Wine
While wine connoisseurs enjoy the art of wine tasting, it isn’t only limited to the professionals. Even beginners and casual wine drinkers can enhance their everyday dining experience by pairing wine with their choice of seafood.
We hope that this guide helped you choose the right wine for your favorite seafood. Remember to follow some rules of thumb, get a beautiful glass, a plate full of your favorite delicacies, and enjoy as the pleasures of wine and food engulf your brain.
And if you’re ever in doubt about what to choose, remember that the details lie in the most prominent flavors of your food. Just match the tone of your wine to your food, and you’ll be golden.
Author’s Bio: Kevin Fagan is a food & travel writer, based in New-England with experience in the catering industry. He is always on the lookout for the trendiest food spots and bars on his travels and also likes to keep his finger on the pulse of the latest news in the world of catering & restaurants.