Pairing Wine With Scallops

Scallops are meaty, flavorful and are eaten all over the world. They are caught just off the coasts in numerous countries and are a popular condiment in many cuisines. They are similar to oysters or mussels, with briny, slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture.

They are extremely easy to pair with white wines as they complement the texture and flavors. White wines with a high acidity and a good structure pair well with scallops but you may opt out for lighter wines as well.

Fresh, light wines pair well with raw or just salted scallops, while when pan seared or served with butter sauce, scallops pair better with a medium to full bodied white wine with oak aging.

Wine Characteristics To Pair With Scallops

Characteristic	Detail
Sweetness	Dry
Acidity	High
Tannins	None
Body	Light, Medium or Full Bodied Whites
Tasting Notes	White Wine Notes – Citrus, green fruit, stone fruit, butter, cream, herbs

Sweetness – Scallops are briny with a touch of sweetness in flavor, but they do not pair well with sweet wine. Always go for a dry wine when having scallops.

Acidity – High acidity in the wine cuts through the plump scallops and balances out the briny flavors. When salted, the scallops will leave wines with lower acidity a bit flabby, hence the higher level of acidity is needed.

Tannins – Since we won’t be recommending red wines, we won’t be having any recognisable tannins in our whites.

Body – Whether you choose to have a light, medium or full bodied white, you won’t make a mistake if you pair it well with the cooking method or the sauce the scallops are served with.

Tasting Notes – Citrus, green fruit and stone fruit aromas are what you should look for in primary aromas, with a bit of a herbal touch. When it comes to secondary aromas, butter and cream, alongside smoke from oak.

Best White Wine To Drink With Scallops

White wines are perfect with seafood and definitely the right match with scallops, or any type of mollusks. The texture of white wines enhances the texture of the scallops while the high acidity and fresh citrus aromas cut through and cleanse your palate.

White wines ranging from light bodied all the way up to full bodied whites go well with scallops so our focus won’t be on the body of the wine. We will focus more on the acidity, which should be high, flavor profile which should be citrus and green fruit dominated, with hints of oak aging.

Riesling from Germany

Rieslings from Mosel are a great pairing with scallops. When made in a dry style they have absolutely no sugar, high acidity, green and citrus flavors and aromas. Light in body, they make perfect pairings for any type of seafood, but they just kill it with scallops.

Garganega from Italy

If you are cooking your scallops with a bit of herbs, this is a great wine to have with your dinner.
Herbal Garganega coming from Soave Classico is medium to high in acidity, with green fruit aromas and when aged with a bit of oak, it gives a sophisticated mouthfeel.

Albarino from Spain

Albarino from rias Baixas is truly a wonderful wine to have with seafood. A medium bodied white wine, sometimes aged on the lees, it has an aquatic, saline aroma with lots of citrus fruit. High in acidity with a long finish, it’s just what you need.

Assyrtiko from Greece

Grown on the volcanic soils of Santorini, the wines are high in acidity with citrus, green and stone fruit aromas. The soil gives Assyrtiko wines a smoky nose which goes great with pan seared scallops.

Chardonnay from France

Chardonnay from Burgundy is a wonderful wine to have with scallops and it can enhance the dish amazingly. We would recommend however to go for a Chardonnay from Chablis, specifically for a Premier Cru. These wines have an amazing acidity, light touch of oak, citrus fruit aromas and a bit of buttery texture. Grown on limestone soils, they have a smoky, seashell aroma.

Pairing Wine With Scallops Prepared Different Ways

Wine With Pan Seared Scallops

These buttery Scallops are juicy, creamy and pair perfectly with any Chardonnay from Burgundy. The buttery aromas will pair well with the creamy oaked Chardonnay while the wine’s acidity will cleanse your palate.

Wine With Scallops Ceviche

An extremely easy dish to make. Chopped scallops marinated in citrus juice sprinkled with salt, this dish pairs great with any lighter white wine. Albarino, Assyrtiko, Garganega or Riesling will enhance this dish perfectly.

Wine With Grilled Scallops

Pairing wine with grilled scallops is a delightful culinary experience. The delicate, sweet flavors of grilled scallops pair beautifully with a crisp and refreshing white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay, enhancing the seafood’s natural richness. These wines provide a harmonious balance, elevating the taste of the dish and making it a memorable dining experience.

Wine With Fried Scallops

When it comes to pairing wine with deep fat fried scallops, a different approach is needed. The crispy, golden exterior (often breaded) of fried scallops calls for a wine with a bit more body and acidity to cut through the richness. Opt for a lively sparkling wine, like a Brut Champagne or a sparkling Prosecco, to contrast the fried texture and complement the succulent seafood inside. The effervescence and zesty notes of these wines provide a refreshing and delightful contrast to the fried scallops, making for a delectable combination.

Best Wine To Drink With Scallops

You will find some great recommendations with scallops on the list below. The wines will have a high acidity level, lots of flavors and aromas, long finish and a great texture. All in all, these wines will make your dining experience sophisticated and memorable.