Looking for the best wine to pair with seafood? You’ll find it here at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits. If you’re not sure of which bottle is best for your meal, rely on the guidance of the drink experts we have on staff here. The Cayman Islands are known for good seafood and good drinks, so enjoy them both while here.
The Dish on the Ideal Wine-Dish Pairings
Dry White Wines
Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc are dry white wines that pair well with earthy fish like tilapia, catfish, and cod. The earthy notes of the wine amplifies the flavor of the fish for a greater tasting fish and wine.
Wine Suggestions – Hugel Pinot Gris Tradition, Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc
Recipe Suggestion – Lemon Parmesan Tilapia
Prep Time: 10 min; Cook Time: 10 min; Total Time: 20 min
Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients:
- 4 tilapia filets
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 TBSP lemon juice
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 1 TBSP parsley (chopped)
- Lemon wedges
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Pat the filets with paper towels to dry.
- In a baking dish, place the filets in a single layer.
- Mix the olive oil, garlic, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice.
- Add the mixture over the filets.
- Sprinkle the parmesan and parsley over the filets.
- Bake for 10 minutes and serve right away with lemon.
Moderate White Wine
Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio are not as dry as other white wines, but they still pair marvelously with seafood, especially buttery lobster and crab.
Wine Suggestions – Antinori Tormaresca Chardonnay, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Valdadige DOC
Recipe Suggestion – Crab and Shrimp Boil
Prep Time: 25 min; Cook Time: 40 min; Total Time: 1 hr, 5 min
Makes 8 servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups white wine of your choice
- 2 whole garlic bulbs (cut in half)
- 1 white onion (quartered)
- 2 lemons (halved)
- 2 TBSP Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 4 fresh corn cobs (halved)
- About 10 baby red potatoes (halved)
- 4 smoked sausage (sliced into medallions)
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 crab clusters
- 16 oz. shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions:
- Use a large pot to boil together the water, wine, garlic, onions, lemons, Old Bay seasoning, and thyme.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the corn, potatoes, smoked sausage, and butter. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Add the crab and shrimp. Cook for another 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink.
- Stir easily to cover with liquid.
- Serve on a platter, garnished with parsley.
Red Wine
Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon offer a fruity, fresh flavor that suits the texture and taste of fish like tuna and salmon.
Wine Suggestions – Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir, Gaja Promis Camarcanda, Rickety Bridge ‘The Bridge’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Recipe Suggestion – Grilled Salmon
Prep Time: 10 min; Cook Time: 15 min; Additional Time: 2 hrs; Total Time 2 hrs, 25 min
Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients:
- 6 salmon filets
- ½ tsp lemon pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Season the filets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
- Mix together the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil.
- Add the fish and soy sauce marinade to a ziploc bag.
- Close and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours.
- Prepare the outdoor grill to medium heat with a light oil treatment on the grate.
- Place the salmon on the grill and cook for about 7 minutes on each side.
The best wine to pair with seafood depends on the particular seafood recipe that you plan to cook. Essentially, pair light with light, bold with bold, substantial with substantial. You can also count on our team to help as you make these decisions. Explore all of our wonderful wines here at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits.
