Does the thought of shrimp cocktail with a nice glass of wine sound like the perfect way to start off your evening?
Then you’re in luck! We have put together a list of some delicious pairings that will take your shrimp cocktail to the next level.
Pairing food and wine can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know – from what wines pair best with shrimp cocktails, how to tell if an individual bottle is good quality or not, as well as some interesting facts about why certain wines go so well with seafood dishes.
So grab yourself a glass and let’s get started!
But first, what wine goes with shrimp cocktail?
When pairing wine with shrimp cocktail, a dry white wine such as Muscadet, Riesling, Prosecco, or Torrontés will complement the dish perfectly. These wines have bright and crisp flavors that pair well with the delicate sweetness of the shrimp. For a more herbaceous flavor profile opt for a Sauvignon Blanc.
Why Consider Serving Wine With Shrimp Cocktails?
If you are looking for a winning combination to serve at your next gathering, shrimp cocktail and wine is an excellent choice.
Shrimp cocktails offer a light and tasty appetizer that can be easily served with many different wines.
The succulent flavor of the shrimp pairs well with several types of wines, making it easy to find one to pair perfectly with the dish.
Whether you prefer red, white, sparkling or rosé wine – there’s something for everyone.
With so much variety available for pairing, you are sure to find something that fits both your palate and budget!
In addition to great flavor combinations, serving wine with shrimp cocktail offers some other benefits as well.
Wine has been known to enhance the flavor of food when paired correctly – this means that if done properly guests will get more out of their meal than they would otherwise!
Plus, having drinks on hand always makes any party more enjoyable too!
The Best Red Wines For Shrimp Cocktails
Red wines are an excellent choice when it comes to pairing with a shrimp cocktail. You can pick from lighter-bodied reds, like Pinot Noir, or go for something bolder and more robust, like Cabernet Sauvignon.
If you’re looking for something light but still full-flavored, then a Pinot Noir is a great option. It has pleasant cherry and raspberry aromas that pair well with the sweetness of the shrimp. The moderate tannins in this wine also help balance out the acidity found in tomato-based sauces often served with shrimp cocktails.
Cabernet Sauvignon is another classic pairing option for shrimp cocktails as it brings intense flavors of dark fruit and spice that stand up nicely to sweeter accompaniments such as citrus or mango salsa.
Its higher tannins provide structure and complexity to creamy mayonnaise-based sauces too.
The Best White Wines For Shrimp Cocktails
White wines are the perfect accompaniment for shrimp cocktails because they can add a refreshing, crisp flavor to the dish. White wines that pair well with shrimp cocktails include dry whites such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, as well as oaked Chardonnay.
Sauvignon Blanc is known for its herbal aromas and grassy notes, while Pinot Grigio has a light body and citrus flavors.
When pairing shrimp cocktail with oaked Chardonnay, look for one that has hints of vanilla and buttery notes – this will be a great match when served alongside creamy sauces or dressings on your seafood dishes.
Lastly, if you’re looking for something more unique to pair with your shrimp cocktail try a sparkling white wine like Moscato or Prosecco – these will provide an effervescent sweetness that pairs nicely with seafood!
The Best Rosé Wines For Shrimp Cocktails
While the red and white wines for shrimp cocktails can vary depending on the flavors of each individual dish, rosé wines are a great go-to option.
Rosés are a great option to enjoy both with seafood or just as an accompaniment to your meal.
When picking out a rosé wine for shrimp cocktail pairing, look for one that is fruity, light in body and low in tannins such as Grenache or Pinot Noir. The acidity of these wines will help balance out any spicy elements of the dish while also complementing any sweet notes present in your shrimp cocktail.
For added sweetness you may want to try sparkling rosés like Lambrusco or Brachetto which have more intense fruit flavors than still varieties.
If you’re looking for something savory, opt for rosés made from Sangiovese grapes—their dark berry and herbal flavors pair nicely with the salty brininess found in some types of shrimp cocktail recipes.
Other Wines To Pair With Shrimp Cocktails
There are other wines that you can pair with shrimp cocktails, depending on your preference.
If you’re looking for a light and refreshing option to serve with the dish, some sparkling or effervescent wines are great choices. Sparkling rosé and Moscato d’Asti are both excellent options.
If you want something more full-bodied and robust, look for Italian reds like Chianti Classico or Valpolicella Ripasso. French Bordeaux-style blends—like Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon blends—are also great matches for a richly flavored shrimp cocktail.
For those who prefer white wine, dry sherry is an excellent choice as it has a really unique flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with the sweet-and-sour taste of the cocktail sauce accompanying shrimp.
Similarly, dry Rieslings work well too; they offer crisp acidity but also have enough body to stand up to the richness of horseradish and mayonnaise in the cocktail sauce without overpowering its delicate flavors.
Shrimp Cocktail And Wine Serving Ideas
Serving shrimp cocktails is a great way to highlight wines that pair well with seafood.
But there are many other ways you can serve shrimp cocktails and wines together aside from just drinking the wine alongside the dish.
For instance, consider using white and rosé wines as part of your sauce for the cocktail or poaching your shrimp in a combination of white wine and herbs or spices.
Blending different types of red and white wines together will also add complexity to your sauces or marinades.
You can even create simple spritzers by mixing different types of sparkling wines with fruit juice, like grapefruit juice or orange juice, to give it some fizz!
When plating up your shrimp cocktail dishes, try incorporating elements that help bring out the various flavors of each type of wine you’ve chosen – like black olives for a fuller-bodied red and lemon wedges for an acidic white.
Serving Temperature And Glassware
When it comes to the temperature of your wine, you want it cold; however, not refrigerator cold.
The ideal serving temperature for dry white wines is between 46-50°F and reds should be served at a slightly lower temperature set at around 55-60°F.
The glassware you use can also play an important role in how enjoyable your shrimp cocktail and wine pairing experience is.
For white and rosé wines, glasses with a narrower bowl are best as they allow the aromas to remain in the center of the glass.
Red wines can benefit from having more air exposure so wider bowls may be preferred here.
If you have stemmed glasses available, these will keep your hands from warming up the contents inside them which could result in temperatures that are less than optimal for enjoyment when consuming your shrimp cocktails paired with wine.
Conclusion
Now that you know the best wines to pair with shrimp cocktails, it’s time to get out there and experiment!
With so many styles of wine to choose from, you can pick a few of your favorites or explore something new.
So, what wine goes with shrimp cocktails?
When choosing wine to accompany a shrimp cocktail, Muscadet, Riesling, Prosecco, and Torrontés are all excellent choices. Muscadet has bright acidity that pairs well with the sweetness of the shrimp. Riesling is a great choice for its dryness and subtle fruitiness. Prosecco and Torrontés both have light floral notes that go nicely with the crispness of the dish.
Don’t forget that shrimp dishes often pair well with other types of beverages as well, such as beers and sparkling wines.
No matter what type of wine you choose for your next shrimp cocktail gathering, make sure to serve it at the right temperature and in the right glassware.
And if all else fails, take comfort in knowing that there’s no wrong answer when it comes to pairing food and wine – so just go ahead and enjoy!
Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.