7 days ago
10 Best Oyster and Wine Pairings, According to Experts
Oyster and wine service at Claudie in Miami. Claudie
When it comes to pairing wine with oysters, it's most typical to witness a bottle of white or sparkling wine on the table accompanying them.
It's rare you'll see a bottle of red wine because white and sparkling wines have more compatible qualities to match the distinct yet delicate taste of oysters. 'The goal is to complement the briny, mineral-rich, and subtly sweet flavors of the shellfish without overpowering them,' shares Dimitris Zafeiropoulos, global beverage director at estiatorio Milos.
Further, the white wines should be crisp and mineral driven 'to enhance the oyster experience without distraction,' explains Petr Landa, sommelier at The Fulton by Jean-Georges, emphasizing that all white wines are not necessarily to be paired with oysters. This means, avoid pairing overly oaked or full-body white wines with oysters.
Below, discover 10 of the best oyster and wine pairings as told by six drinks experts.
Sparkling wine and oysters is a classic pairing as the bubbles combined with the higher acidity refresh the palate after a briny bite. A new personal favorite comes from Chandon in Napa, a cool climate Reserve Blanc de Blancs (100 percent Chardonnay) of which their winemaker, Pauline Lhote, informs she specifically crafted "with the acidity and salinity to pair as the 'ultimate oyster bubbles.' 2. Domaine Gadais 'Navineaux-Amphibolite' Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie
This Muscadet is elegant, refreshing and at Claudie in Miami it is poured by the glass with 'the sole purpose to drink it with oysters,' shares head sommelier Fernando Araiza. 'Muscadet has great acidity that counters the richness of oysters,' says Araiza, and because this particular bottle is aged on the lees, it has the body weight to match the texture of the oyster. 3. Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett
This summer, Araiza says he had 'the most delicious oysters' of his life. He was in Lège-Cap-Ferret where the oysters were 'super briny' so that it called for a pairing with a touch of sweetness. Araiza paired it with this Kabinett-level Riesling from Mosel, Germany and discovered an entirely new layer of complexity. 'Who doesn't like the pairing of something sweet with something salty?' shares Araiza. 4. Emilio Moro El Zarzal Godello 2023
Michael Coyne, director of wine and spirits of Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection in Napa Valley likes to pair Godello with many things from the ocean but especially with salty, acidic foods like oysters spritzed with mignonette and lemon. 'Godello always reminds me of eating oysters on a sunny day by the sea,' shares Coyne. 'In Sonoma County, this means Hog Island [oysters], but it could be in Marseilles, Rias Baixas or anywhere coastal.' 5. Robert Young Clone 17 Chardonnay
East and west coast oysters can offer different flavors and textures; at Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar in Healdsburg, general manager Jay Wyant-King is passionate about pairing oysters with wines that accentuate their regional nuances. 'When it comes to east coast oysters, like the delicate Beau Soleils from New Brunswick, we reach for a richer white such as Robert Young Clone 17 Chardonnay,' shares Wyant-King. 'Its velvety texture and layered flavors complement the oysters' subtle sweetness and minerality beautifully.' 6. Skouras Assyrtiko Wild Ferment 2023
Assyrtiko is a white grape that's native to Santorini, but on the Greek mainland, wine regions have found success with it, like the Peloponnese-based Skouras. "This wine has bright citrus zest, flinty minerality, and a saline edge, with notes of lemon peel, green apple, and crushed rocks,' explains Landa. The wild ferment adds some extra texture and complexity while keeping its high acidity and saline backbone that make it work so beautifully with oysters. 'The sharp mineral core cuts through the creaminess, and that citrus lift brings out the oyster's natural sweetness. It's like a liquid squeeze of lemon, but with structure,' adds Landa. 7. Domaine Zuria 'Aria' Rosé
This rosé is all about coastal herbs, grapefruit pith, white peach, and sea spray, Landa prefaces. 'It's crisp, aromatic, and lightly salty — basically, it tastes like the Mediterranean coast in a glass.' Landa describes how the wine's seabreeze freshness and herbal lift really echo the oyster's oceanic origin. 'The light bitterness and acidity keep the palate refreshed, and the dry, refined texture makes it an easy, elegant match." 8. Parparoussis 'The Gift Of Dionysus' Sideritis, Achaia
For another unique wine from Greece's Peloponnese region, Zafeiropoulos highlights Sideritis, an indigenous variety that produces an exceptionally aromatic profile. 'You'll often find notes of green apple, pear, and a hint of citrus blossom,' explains Zafeiropoulos. He says it's an ideal oyster pairing because of its bright acidity and subtle saline finish. 'The acidity cuts through the richness of the oyster, while the touch of salinity echoes the taste of the sea, creating a harmonious and refreshing experience.' 9. Petrakopoulos Robola Classic
On the Ionian island of Kefalonia, Robola is an indigenous grape that produces a white wine with both elegance and complexity. 'The Petrakopoulos Robola is known for its delicate aromas of white peach, citrus, and a chalky, mineral undertone,' says Zafeiropoulos, adding its balanced texture of refreshing acidity and subtle creaminess is what makes it a key to its success with oysters. 'It's a sophisticated pairing that speaks to the subtlety and finesse of both the wine and the oyster.' 10. Domaine Dominique Belluard 'Eponyme' Savoie 2020
Though many of the best wine pairings for oysters come from coastal vineyards, Landa points to this wine produced from the French Alps' native Gringet grape for its 'alpine purity.' He continues: 'Wines from Savoie are great with oysters because of their mountain minerality and racy structure. Eponyme's subtle aromatics and crystalline acidity don't overpower, they highlight the oyster's delicacy and give you a clean, elegant finish after each slurp.'
