A sommelier’s wine pairings for the shrimp dishes you cook most.
Shrimp is one of the easiest foods to pair with wine, and one of the easiest to get wrong. The shrimp itself is mild and slightly sweet, so the wine almost never has to match the shrimp. It has to match the sauce: the garlic, the butter, the lemon, the spice. Our founder and sommelier Michael Bottigliero breaks down what to pour with the shrimp dishes people cook most.
The quick answer
If you only remember one thing: pour a crisp, high-acid white or a dry sparkling wine. Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Albariño, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco and Cava work with most shrimp dishes. Move to a fuller white like Chardonnay when the sauce is rich and buttery, and to an off-dry white like Pinot Gris or Riesling when there's heat.
Michael's pairings for four classic shrimp dishes are below, followed by more favorites.
Seafood Gumbo
"For Gumbo, I like something with a touch of sweetness to battle the heat and some heft, so I go for Pinot Gris."
Michael's picks: Gustave Lorentz & Acrobat Wine
Shrimp Cocktail
"I enjoy a light sparkling wine like Prosecco with Shrimp cocktail that will jive with lemon juice and cocktail sauce."
Michael's pick: Bisol Prosecco 'Jeio' Brut
Shrimp DeJonghe
"For Shrimp DeJonghe you'll need the full body and tropical fruit that a Maconnais Burgundy (Chardonnay) will bring."
Michael's pick: Domaines Albert Bichot Mâcon-Villages
Shrimp Scampi
"Shrimp Scampi is loaded with garlic and Sauvignon Blanc or Vermentino are best for that with their bright acidity, floral notes, and minerality."
Michael's picks: Giesen Wines Sauvignon Blanc & Argiolas Winery Vermentino di Sardegna
More shrimp pairings
Grilled shrimp
Grilling adds smoke and char, so you can go a little bigger. A dry rosé has the acidity for a squeeze of lime and enough fruit for the smoke.
Michael's pick: Bieler Père et Fils Cuvée Sabine Rosé (Provence)
Shrimp tacos
Cilantro, lime and chile call for something bright and zesty.
Michael's pick: Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
Coconut or curry shrimp
Coconut milk and warm spices are a classic match for Riesling. Its bright acidity cuts the richness, and its citrus and floral notes play off the spices.
Michael's pick: Pewsey Vale Estate Riesling (Eden Valley, Australia)
Shrimp and grits / shrimp in cream sauce
Rich and buttery dishes want a white with some body. Chardonnay stands up to the cream without overwhelming the shrimp.
Michael's pick: Stoller Chardonnay (Dundee Hills, Oregon)
Can you drink red wine with shrimp?
Yes, as long as it's light. A chilled Beaujolais or a light Pinot Noir works with shrimp in tomato-based dishes like shrimp fra diavolo or cioppino. Skip big, tannic reds like Cabernet Sauvignon; tannin can make seafood taste metallic.
Want Michael to pick the wines for you?
This is exactly what we do at our private tastings. Michael builds a flight around your menu and walks your guests through every pairing, at your home, office or venue. Book an in-home wine tasting in Metro Detroit or Chicago, or have kits shipped for a virtual tasting. For more pairings anytime, ask Sommelier on Demand.
Booking holiday parties now. December dates fill fast. Bring Michael to your office holiday party, host an in-home tasting in Metro Detroit or Chicago, or ship virtual kits to a remote team.
