Making a delicious lobster dinner and wondering what's the best wine to pair with it? We've got expert wine pairing tips to help you choose the best wine pairing for lobster in this food and wine pairing guide.
Lobster is often seen as a special occasion, fine dining food. However, it's just as easy to prepare at home for a busy weeknight dinner. And, it doesn't have to cost very much when you make Creamy Lobster Gnocchi, Lobster Ravioli Sauce, or Air Fryer Lobster Tails at home.
To elevate an easy yet elegant lobster dinner even more, pair it with the right wine that brings out the best of that dish. As a WSET 2 certified wine expert, I love pairing wines with lobster dishes. There are so many good options!
In this article, you'll find my expert tips to help you find the best wine pairing for lobster.
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๐ Wine pairing tips
The way lobster is prepared, and any accompanying sauces, will often determine the best wine pairing for each lobster dish. Here are a few ideas for wine pairings based on preparation and sauces.
- Steamed or Boiled Lobster
- White Wine - The best choice for steamed lobster or boiled lobster is a crisp, dry white wine. Consider pairing this type of lobster with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio. These dry white wines complement the delicate flavors of this preparation method without overpowering the lobster
- Grilled or Broiled Lobster
- White Wine - If the grilled or broiled lobster is served with butter or a creamy sauce, pair it with a slightly richer white wine like an oaked Chardonnay. The buttery notes in the wine can complement the dish.
- Light Red Wine - A light red wine such as Pinot Noir can also be the perfect wine pairing, especially if the lobster is grilled with herbs or spices that can stand up to the wine's flavors.
- Lobster with Cream Sauce or Butter Sauce
- Chardonnay - A buttery Chardonnay can be a perfect pairing for lobster dishes with creamy sauces. The wine's creamy texture and flavors can complement the richness of dishes like our Lobster Ravioli Sauce.
- Champagne or Sparkling Wine - For a touch of elegance, consider pairing lobster with a creamy sauce with a glass of Champagne or sparkling wine. The effervescence can cleanse the palate between bites.
- Lobster in Tomato Sauce or Spicy Preparations:
- Rosรฉ wine - A dry rosรฉ wine can be a versatile option for lobster dishes with tomato-based sauces or a bit of spice. Its high acidity and fruitiness can balance out the flavors without overwhelming the dish.
- Riesling - For spicy lobster dishes, a slightly sweet Riesling can be a surprising and delicious pairing. The sweetness can help tame the heat while still complementing the lobster's flavors.
- Lobster Bisque or Creamy Lobster Soup
- Chardonnay or Viognier - Creamy lobster soups or bisques often pair well with rich, full-bodied white wines like Chardonnay or Viognier. These wines can stand up to the soup's creamy texture and enhance its flavors.
๐ฆ White wine pairings with lobster
White wine is a classic pairing for lobster. Here are three of the best white wines to pair with lobster dishes.
- Chardonnay:
- Oaked Chardonnays often have buttery and creamy notes that can enhance the richness of butter-based lobster preparations. These wines can also enhance lobster dishes with creamy sauces, like our Creamy Lobster Gnocchi. Opt for a California Chardonnay, like one from Napa Valley or Sonoma County.
- Unoaked Chardonnays, on the other hand, tend to be crisper with citrus and apple flavors. This makes them suitable for lighter lobster dishes or those with tangy citrus sauces. For a more mineral-driven and unoaked option, consider a White Burgundy (Chablis) from France.
- Sauvignon Blanc:
- Sauvignon Blanc is known for its bright acidity and vibrant fruit flavors. New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, in particular, are an excellent match for lighter lobster preparations, such as steamed or grilled lobster.
- Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumรฉ from the Loire Valley in France offer a more mineral-driven and citrusy profile. These Sauvignon Blancs are a good choice to pair with dishes with herbaceous or citrusy sauces.
- Riesling:
- Riesling wines come in a range of styles from bone-dry to sweet. So they are versatile in pairing with different lobster preparations. Dry or off-dry Rieslings, especially German Rieslings from the Mosel or Rheingau regions, can complement lobster dishes that come with spicy sauces.
- Alsace Rieslings from France can also be a good match, offering complexity and balance to lobster dishes.
๐ท Red wine pairings with lobster
Pairing red wine with lobster can be a bit more challenging than with white wine. Delicate lobster meat can be easily overpowered by many red wines.
However, there are still some red wine options that can work well with certain lobster preparations.
Here are three top red wines to consider for pairing with lobster and explanations of why they can complement certain dishes.
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Noir is a lighter-bodied red wine with elegant fruit flavors and balanced acidity. I love to pair Oregon Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley with grilled or poached lobster. It's also a great red wine to pair with dishes that have more herbs or mild spices.
- Gamay (Beaujolais)
- Gamay, notably from the Beaujolais region in France, produces light and fruity red wines with low tannins. These wines can be the perfect match for lobster dishes that are not heavily seasoned or sauced.
๐ท Rosรฉ wine pairings for lobster
Rosรฉ wines are delicious to pair with lobster. A light-bodied rosรฉ can be a refreshing, great choice for a wine and lobster pairing.
Dry rose wines, such as Provence rosรฉs from France, can have bright acidity and fruity notes that can complement grilled or lightly seasoned lobster preparations. They can also work well with lobster salads or dishes with plenty of citrus notes.
๐ฅ Sparkling wine pairings with lobster
Sparkling wine, including Champagne, is usually my favorite choice to pair with lobster. The bubbles in sparkling wine help cleanse the palate between bites. This makes sparkling wine an excellent choice for rich and buttery lobster dishes or those with creamy sauces.
Sparkling wines often have bright acidity, which can cut through the richness of lobster preparations. They can complement a wide range of lobster dishes, from simple steamed lobster to more complex preparations with butter, herbs, or light sauces.
And, of course, Champagne and sparkling wine are often associated with celebrations and special occasions, making them perfect for enhancing the enjoyment of a luxurious lobster meal.
Consider pairing sparkling wines or Champagne with dishes such as Lobster Risotto, Lobster Salad, or Lobster Rolls.
๐พ Wine pairing FAQs
The sweetness level of the wine should generally match the sweet flavor level of the lobster dish. For example, sweeter lobster dishes or those with fruit elements can pair well with off-dry or slightly sweet white wines like Riesling. Dry wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay are versatile options for most lobster preparations.
Some of the more renowned wine regions known for producing wines that pair well with lobster include Chardonnay from California or Burgundy. Also, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or France's Loire Valley, typically make great pairings. Pinot Noir from Oregon or Burgundy are excellent choices that can enhance the dining experience with lobster.
๐ซ What wines do not pair well with lobster?
While many wines can complement lobster dishes, some wine varietals may not pair as well due to their specific flavors or characteristics. Here are a few wine varietals you may want to avoid when pairing wine with lobster.
- Heavy, Tannic Red Wines - Wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are often rich in tannins. They can be too strong and overpowering for the delicate flavor of lobster.
- Sweet Dessert Wines (e.g., Port, Sauternes) - Sweet dessert wines, such as Port or Sauternes, have high sugar levels and intense flavors. These can overwhelm the palate when paired with lobster. They are better suited for desserts or after-dinner enjoyment rather than complementing savory seafood dishes like lobster.
- Very Oaky or Heavily Aged White Wines (e.g., heavily oaked Chardonnay) - While some Chardonnays can pair well with lobster, those that are heavily oaked or have pronounced oak flavors might overpower the delicate taste of the lobster. The strong oak influence can also mask the natural flavors of the seafood.
- High-Alcohol Wines - Wines such as Zinfandels or Amarone with high alcohol content can create a burning sensation on the palate and detract from the subtlety of lobster flavors. The alcohol intensity also may clash with the delicacy of the seafood.
In the end, finding the best wine pairing for lobster can come down to personal preference. I often find it's best to select two bottles, then try them out before serving to determine which will pair best with your lobster dinner.
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๐ท Have you tried one or more of the wine & food pairings listed here? If so, leave a comment below and let us know how they paired together!
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