Category: Red Lobster Published on Wednesday, 27 May 2009 14:55
If you're not a wine connoisseur, or if you find restaurant wine lists intimidating, Red Lobster Executive Chef Michael LaDuke makes pairing wine with your fish and seafood easier with these wine pairing tips:

Dish |
Wine |
Reason for Pairing
|
|
Steak & Lobster |
Pinot Noir |
This lighter red wine doesn't overpower the lobster, but is still strong enough to complement the steak. |
|
Broiled Lobster with Butter |
Chardonnay |
A Chardonnay that's crisp with fruity flavors balances the fullness of the butter, while the acid content of the wine brings out the flavor of the lobster. |
|
Steamed Crab Legs |
Chardonnay |
While a crisp Chardonnay pairs well with crab legs, another popular pairing is beer. |
|
Grilled Tuna or Salmon |
Pinot Noir |
These darker, oilier fish are complemented perfectly by this light red wine. |
|
Grilled Grouper or Snapper |
Chardonnay |
These fish are whiter and leaner with more of a delicate flavor. An oaky Chardonnay is a good accompaniment. |
|
Steamed Tilapia |
Fume Blanc |
Steaming a delicate fish like tilapia means you need a white wine that's more delicate and less oaky than Chardonnay. The green apple taste of Fume Blanc complements this delicate cooking presentation. |
|
Steamed Mussels (with butter, garlic and fennel) |
Pinot Grigio |
This is a lighter, sweeter wine that balances the garlic and fennel while complementing the Italian flavor of the dish. |
|
Grilled Scallops (with citrus butter) |
Pinot Grigio |
A light Pinot Grigio is an ideal complement to the scallops and the taste of citrus in the butter. |
|
Fried Shrimp |
Beer |
Nothing beats the popular combination of relaxing with a beer and a plateful of fried shrimp. |
Remember, these are only suggested matches. According to Chef LaDuke, the best beverage to pair with is whatever you like best!