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THE ACADEMY BULLETIN

What makes a good wine pairing for oysters?

4/30/2024

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Through the course of my work week, I do a lot of staff trainings and pre-meal education. The restaurants I work with sell a lot of oysters and other seafood, so we are often discussing the wine pairing options for this end of the culinary world. Below are some notes I have used this week for pre-meal meetings, and which I think are great suggestions for this time of year.

What wines work best with Oysters?

I like to seek out bright, acidic whites, such as unoaked Chardonnay, Muscadet, Albariño, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon blanc of all types.  The lively acidity in these wines can play against the oysters' richness, and these wines help cleanse the palate, allowing the mollusks' delicate merroir or unique brine or 'liquor' to shine through.

Here is a quick article I came across with video on Somm TV, and in this article, they share three tips to elevate your oyster and wine experience...
https://mag.sommtv.com/2023/05/oyster-and-wine-pairing/
How to Pair Oysters and Wine Like a Pro - SOMM TV Magazine
mag.sommtv.com
​
If you are in a position where you are conducting your own pre-meal meeting and guiding the discussion as a lot of our students are often doing, then here are some examples of wines that pair well with oysters and the one-line notes every server should know when discussing with a guest...

Sauvignon blanc
A light-bodied white wine that's high in acidity making it crisp and refreshing, this wine pairs well with oysters because of the citrus notes, similar to a squeeze of lemon.
Can also pair well with cheese, fresh herbs, and delicate fish.

Sancerre
Sancerre is Sauvignon blanc from a special area in central France.
This wine has crisp flavors that are fresh with hints of chalky wet stone, and the acidity is balanced with citrus hints.

Champagne
The smooth texture and pleasant taste of Champagne combines well with the rich, salty taste of oysters.

Prosecco
A great alternative to Champagne, Prosecco has an inherent melon fruit flavor that pairs with more delicate oysters. The refreshing, frizzante is a palate cleanser.

Chardonnay
A crisp, acidic, cool-climate chardonnay pairs well with freshly shucked oysters served with a squeeze of lime or lemon.
A slightly oaky chardonnay can work well with meaty, warmer region oyster, as it will add and compliment the texture.

Chablis
Chablis is made from Chardonnay and often does not see any oak aging.
These wines are very distinct with high acidity and minerality, and pair really well with oysters and other shellfish.

Muscadet
A very dry white from western France, with hints of citrus and loads of minerality, this wine makes a great blank canvas for most shellfish and seafood - especially raw oysters.

Riesling
A highly aromatic wine (think white peach, nectarine, and lime) that can span a broad range of styles, being produced in both dry to off-dry and light to full-bodied variations, the dry versions pair quite well with raw oysters.

Albariño
A classic seafood white wine from northern Spain, this grape is often likened to Riesling for its vibrant acidity, but it has more texture that is closer to an un-oaked Chardonnay. Albariño is grown on the coast and is a natural seafood wine.

Pinot Gris / Grigio
Pinot Gris from Alsace and Oregon are textured and dry with great flavor intensity as well as acidity to pair with meaty styled oysters. 
Pinot Grigio from the Veneto (delle Venezie) in Italy can be a crisp, clean, neutral foil for delicately flavored oysters, while Pinot Grigio from Alpine regions of Italy (Trentino, Collio, Friuli) can be more intense with mouthwatering texture, perfect for briny New England cold-water oysters.
​
Rosé
Most of today's best bottles have a balance of acidity and delicate red fruit that won't overpower delicate flavors in oysters.
Rose can also transition to other parts of the meal, such as salads, appetizers and lighter mains.
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