Lobster Cooking Methods

• Boiled. This is the classic cooking method, resulting in sweet, dense meat. 
• Grilled. Grilled lobster has a char, chewy texture. The intense taste will pair well with most of the seasonings or marinades you have prepared.
• Steamed. Steamed lobster is quite similar in taste to the boiled crustacean. It’s fresh, has a soft texture, and a salty-sweet flavor.
• Baked. If you’re into meat, you’ll appreciate baked lobster. It comes with a deeper flavor and is your most versatile option.

How Can Wine Help the Flavor?

The perfect food and wine pairing strikes a balance between the dish ingredients and wine characteristics. This combination may sound complex, but its basics are relatively straightforward.

Here are some general tips when pairing wine with food to help you get started:

• The wine should be sweeter and more acidic than the food.
• The wine and the food should be of the same flavor intensity.
• Red wines are best with red meat, while whites go with fish and chicken.
• Matching the wine with the sauce rather than the meat is a good idea.

Lobster has a delicate crisp flavor, so it’s best to match it with wines with similar notes. 

You can probably guess there’s more than one choice of wine to complement the delicious seafood dish.

Best Wines to Pair With Lobster

1. Chardonnay

Many Chardonnays undergo malolactic fermentation, which brings a buttery tone to the wine. This flavor makes the butter and cream sauces often found in lobster recipes a delicious match.

White Burgundy has tons of acidity and citrus notes, making it one of the best white wines with lobster choices. Chardonnay complements boiled, steamed, and grilled lobster best, thanks to its flavor. If you’re making barbecued lobster or buttered lobster cooked in the shell, it will work great with oaked Californian or Australian Chardonnay.

You can find some of our favorite Chardonnay choices by clicking here.

2. Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc’s naturally herbal flavor with just enough acidity and zesty citrus aroma will pair perfectly with boiled and steamed lobster dishes. Lobster rolls or boiled lobster with lemon go exceptionally well here. You can't go wrong if you pair grilled or boiled lobster tails with Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc grapes often grow in coastal regions. Matching dishes and drinks from the same geographical areas also play a significant role in gastronomy. Plus, the salty lobster melds with the wine’s acidity, making these two a go-to for a delicious romantic dinner.

3. Riesling

Just like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling is rich in acidic, fruity notes that make it perfect for the natural salty-sweet taste of lobster meat. Riesling can vary from sweet to very dry. Its dry variations from Alsace (France) or the Eden Valley (Australia) work best with lobsters. The light and crisp Riesling taste doesn’t overpower the lobster’s delicate flavor, making these two an excellent combination.

Also, Riesling pairs perfectly with other seafood, such as tuna or salmon. For the best experience, serve it with baked or broiled lobster or spicy Asian sauces. Ideally, you can serve Riesling with lobster tails and butter.

4. Pinot Grigio

This Italian classic goes well with just about any seafood dish, including crabs, oysters, shellfish, and lobster. It’s the lightest of the previous three wines, less herbaceous than the Sauvignon Blanc, but still has a great citrus note you want to look for when pairing wine with lobster.

5. Rosé

Sparkling rose is a traditional pairing to lobster as it can enhance the delicate flavor. Provencal, Grenault, or Syrah dry rose are strong enough to do justice but not overpower the dish. The Rose Champagne can nicely complement grilled and baked lobster dishes.

We have a list of the best rosé to buy online.

6. Other Wines

Other wines, such as Gewurztraminer, pair well with broiled lobster. The Viognier from Loire Valley is best served with curry or Asian spices on the side. You can also try lighter red wines such as Poulsard or Trousseau from the Jura region in France. Cold lobster and mayo pair well with the premier or grand cru Chablis.

Final Tips for Wines to Pair With Lobster

• Creamy sauce lobsters go well with oaked (or unoaked) Chardonnay, white Burgundy, and Chablis.
• Go for dry Riesling or Pinot Gris for spicy seasoned lobsters.
• Chianti and Barbera go well with lobsters cooked in tomato sauce. Select the unoaked variants, though.
• Chardonnay, champagne, and sparkling wines are great for steamed and boiled lobsters with butter.
• Lobster plus green veggies combine well with Sauvignon Blanc or Rose.

Lobster Wine Hunt: Know Your Whites

In this article, we looked at what wines to pair with lobster. It’s clear by now that white wine is the best choice for complementing this savory crustacean. Finally, the general advice is to go with dry, light varieties with a touch of minerality. You want to avoid strongly oaked combinations as they may overpower the lobster’s sweet taste.

Hopefully, you now clearly understand how to pair wine with lobster, and you’re ready to decide on the perfect combination for your next delicious dinner party.