Wine and shrimp: here is a pairing worth talking about a few weeks before summer. With the nice weather come aperitifs and seafood. What better way to start your evening than enjoying a good wine with shrimp. With their delicate flesh, shrimp need to be paired with the right wine. There are different types of shrimp, even if the most commonly eaten are pink shrimp (common prawns) and grey shrimp (common shrimp).
Wine and shrimp: the classic food and wine pairing
Classically, the most obvious wine and shrimp pairing comes from wines grown on chalky or limestone soils. Naturally, a white wine pairs perfectly with shrimp. So choosing a wine like a Chablis is a safe bet to go with shrimp. A white wine that is both lively and fruity will be the perfect match for shrimp. With that in mind, you can turn to a Chardonnay. What’s more, over in the Loire, you can go for a dry Vouvray. Made from Chenin, the star grape of the Loire Valley, this wine will pair perfectly with shrimp. Indeed, the minerality of Vouvray will reinforce and highlight the briny side of seafood. On the other hand, if your heart is in Burgundy, you can choose a Saint Romain. With its light vanilla notes, it can be a particularly interesting pairing. With gambas, this wine will be a hit! Finally, in classic style, you can choose a champagne. In that case, go for the brut. Indeed, a champagne that is too vinous would overpower the shrimp. What’s more, the calories in white wine won’t hold you back!
Alternative pairings between wine and shrimp
If you want a more original pairing, you can turn to a white wine that is a little denser, with a bit more body. Stick with wines that have a saline note so you can keep enjoying the briny flavour of the shrimp. So a Pouilly-Fuissé can absolutely accompany your tasting. What’s more, Corsican wines can prove particularly interesting for such a meeting with shrimp. An Alsace wine like a Gewurztraminer will be a very good choice. Finally, a dry Jurançon, or a Collioure wine, can of course delight your taste buds. Doing a wine tasting? Discover our article on how to taste wine! While you’re at it, take the chance to fill in a tasting sheet.
