Want to know which pairing to make between wine and crab? You’re in the right place. The delicate flesh of crab can pair very well with certain wines. Whether as an aperitif or a main course, these food and wine pairings can see you through many a situation. In Europe, the most commonly eaten crab is the brown crab, so there’s a good chance you’ll need to pair brown crab with wine. You can also find our feature on food and wine pairings with seafood.
Wine and crab: the classic pairings
The most classic food and wine pairing with crab is a fruity white wine that’s rich in acidity. There’s no shortage of choice here. You can turn to an Entre-deux-Mers white from the Bordeaux region. These show a particularly pleasant freshness with crab. In the Loire, you can reach for a Quincy. That said, a Coteaux d’Ancenis can also delight you with crab. If you’re after a fruity wine with citrus notes to go with your crab, you can choose a Viognier, which makes a remarkable impression! And good news, the calories in white wine are low!
Some alternative pairings
If you’re after more original pairings between wine and crab, we’ve got just the thing! You can turn to white wines with a bit more body, as long as they keep a certain freshness. So you can opt for a Vouvray or a Saumur from the Loire. In the Rhône, you can reach for a Crozes-Hermitage. Lesser known, you can choose to enjoy a Coteaux d’Aix with crab.
Finally, be sure to choose young wines. They pair better with crab, and their freshness helps highlight the finesse of the delicious flesh you’re about to enjoy.
Wine and crab with mayonnaise
Crab with mayonnaise is one of the most classic ways to eat crab. It’s hard to find a wine to go with crab and mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is made from egg yolk, vinegar, and mustard: good luck finding a wine to match those.
If you choose to eat crab with mayonnaise, you can still opt for a dry wine. So reach for a Chablis or a Mâcon-Villages. These wines pair perfectly with crab and mayonnaise. A wine made from Chenin is ideal for revealing the briny notes of the crab and will set your palate alight. For something more original, choose a white Graves or a Riesling. Naturally, reach for younger wines to guarantee their freshness.
For wine with brown crab and mayonnaise, absolutely avoid red wine. The tannins in red wine just won’t get along with crab.
About to eat crab and drink wine? Take the chance to fill out a tasting sheet. And good news, we’re giving you one!
