Crawfish, crayfish, crawdads, craydids, crawdaddies, freshwater lobsters, rock lobsters, mudbugs, baybugs, mountain lobsters, and yabbies. What you call them depends largely on where you live, but regardless of their name, one thing remains the same: they’re delicious. These small lobster-looking crustaceans are technically classified as a fish, but have a taste similar to crab, but much stronger and meatier with a slightly sweet flavor and a hint of salinity.
Best Red Wine With Crawfish
Reds will not be the best option in most cases, but there are some light, fruity reds that will pair well with some crawfish dishes.
- Barbera: juicy, light, and acidic with notes of strawberry and sour cherry.
- Pinot Noir: always a popular choice; light on body, high on aromatics.
- Beaujolais: also known as Gamay, light, fruity and low tannins.
- Lambrusco: a slight bubbliness with strong berry notes.
Best White Wine With Crawfish
White wine reigns supreme with crawfish. Preferably light, fruity whites with high acidity.
- Albariño: Dry with citrus notes, high acidity, and floral aromatics.
- Pinot Grigio: choose a cool climate style; dry and minerally.
- Champagne: Bubbly, floral, and fruity with notes of citrus, peach, or cherry.
- Sauvignon Blanc: Herbaceous, bright acidity, with notes of honeydew and white peach.
- Rosé: bright, crisp acidity and full of berry flavour.
Pairing Wine With Various Crawfish Dishes
Wine With Crawfish Bread
This popular, rich, cheesy bread filled with crawfish will do well with an Albariño to balance the rich flavours of the bread.
Wine With Crawfish Wontons
Champagne is always a great choice with anything fried and it won’t overpower the delicate flavours of the crawfish.
Wine With Crawfish Boil
It doesn’t get better than a refreshing glass of Rosé on a hot day while enjoying a crawfish boil.
Wine With Crawfish Pie
Pie pastry filled with crawfish, bell peppers, and herbs: think fish pot pie. Chardonnay is a lovely pairing with anything buttery and creamy. Crawfish pie is no exception.
Wine With Louisiana Crawfish Cakes
Similar to crab cakes, these tasty treats will pair nicely with a Chardonnay. Rosé or Lambrusco will also complement these cakes well.
Wine With Crab Stuffed with Crayfish
A bright, acidic white, like Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc will balance this decadent dish without overpowering.
Wine With Kriibsen
A Luxembourg specialty of Crayfish cooked in a sauce of vegetables, herbs, butter, and Riesling. A Riesling from Luxembourg would be the obvious pairing here, but a Chablis would also be an excellent choice.
Wine With Crawfish Boudin
A Cajun sausage with chopped crawfish meat and finely diced vegetables. A cool-climate Pinot Grigio or Sparkling Wine will elevate this flavorful sausage, or try a Barbera.
Wine With Crawfish Monica
This pasta dish consists of rotini, crawfish tails, garlic, butter, cream and Creole Seasoning. A Pinot Grigio or Champagne will balance with rich cream sauce without overshadowing the crawfish.
Wine With Crawfish Etouffee
A fruity white, like Pinot Grigio or Chenin Blanc, will act as a pleasant counterbalance to the spice in this New Orleans favourite. If you prefer red, try a Grenache.
