Best Wine and Lobster Pairings for Outdoor Entertaining

With the Fourth of July just days away, the outdoor entertaining season with fresh Maine lobster is moving into full swing. With the lobster menu decided upon, the question that always comes up is what are the best wine and lobster pairings?

Fresh Maine lobster cooked on a plate with white wine

An un-oaked Chardonnay is best with Fresh Maine Lobster

First of all, let’s answer the question that is most asked. No, you can not serve red wine with lobster. The tannin in red wine and the iodine in lobster will react, overpowering the delicate flavor of the lobster, giving the meat a metallic taste. Therefore, no red wine, not even Beaujolais or other kind of low-tannin red should be served. The Gamay of even a subtle red will over power the lobster. The only exception is Lobster fra Diavolo, when Chianti is the only choice. But that discussion is for another day.

Today we are entertaining outdoors and a traditional steamed lobster dinner is on the menu. So what wines are most enjoyable?

I will start out by saying beware of serving robust white wines such as the new types of Chardonnay that have overly vibrant fruit flavoring. The natural saltiness of lobster, as with any seafood, will amplify the flavor of a big fruity Chardonnay. So unless you are grilling your lobster, go with a Chardonnay that is gently touched with fruit, and mostly un-oaked.

Pouilly-fuisse & Lobster

For us, we prefer steamed lobster with a white burgundy such as Louis Jadot Pouilly-fuissé (2008 $18.99). This wine has wonderful Chardonnay flavors, minerals and just a bare touch of oak. The perfect pairing for enjoying the sweet, delicate taste of warm lobster dipped in melted lobster butter.

The first course should be Wellfleet oysters. They must be shucked and served as an appetizer. On a large platter covered with plenty of ice, arrange the oysters in circles with traditional New England red cocktail sauce, lemons and horse radish … the only way to serve oysters.

What wine to pair with raw oysters?

The world’s perfect oyster must be served with the perfect Champagne. We enjoy Taittinger Champagne La Francaise ($27.99). This sparkling wine has a high blend of Chardonnay grapes to yield a balance of stone fruit and crisp hints of bread crust. One sip of chilled Champagne, followed immediately by a world famous Wellfleet oyster, and your taste buds will explode. Trust me, you will love it.

Champagne & Oysters

The steamers and chowder should be served as the second course well before the lobster and paired with a zesty Chardonnay. I enjoy pairing the clams with La Crema Montery Chardonnay (2009 $20.00). This is a wine with its own fresh mineral notes and tropical aromas of lemon that will nicely pair with the sweet, ocean flavor of the steamer clams. Just chill the wine and serve.

Chardonnay & Steamers

Wellfleet Oysters and Taittinger Champagne; La Crema Chardonnay and Maine steamer clams (or shrimp); and of course, Louis Jadot Pouilly-fuissé and lobster; sweet, fresh lobster will all contribute to a memorable outdoor dining experience. The perfect pairings of three wines with three courses of all the best seafood New England has to offer will have your dinner guests abuzz. Believe us when we say, it does not get any better than this.

Just let us know what time we should be there for dinner.

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The Best Wine and Lobster Pairings For Outdoor Entertaining

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