There’s such an obvious wine match for lobster (great chardonnay) that you might wonder if it was worth considering anything else but there are other interesting alternatives.
Most of them are admittedly similarly weighty whites – white Rhône, oaked white Rioja, white Bordeaux and Viognier but you could if you were feeling adventurous consider a red, especially with a powerful sauce like a thermidor. A full-bodied red burgundy like Volnay should be able to cope.
Despite the fact that lobster has become a lot cheaper in recent years it’s still a luxury ingredient which makes a good excuse to splash out. Here are my top 5 choices:
Premier or grand cru Chablis
The best match with cold lobster with mayo on the evidence of this pairing I enjoyed in Ireland a few years ago with a just-caught fresh lobster from Ball cotton. No reason why you shouldn’t drink such shellfish favourite as Albarino, Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé of course
Meursault, other serious white burgundy or world class chardonnay
The ideal match for grilled lobster. Also works brilliantly with a lobster burger as you can see I discovered here.
Vintage – or good non-vintage – champagne
Great for a splash-out occasion. Particularly good with lobster and chips
Gewurztraminer
One of the best lobster pairings ever was at a restaurant called Everest in Chicago run by an Alsace-born chef called Jean Joho. It was a dish of lobster cooked with ginger and gewürztraminer (the two have a great affinity) and served with the same wine. Ever since I’ve thought gewurz the perfect match for spicy lobster dishes.
Bandol rosé or other top-of-the-range Provençal rosé
An unusual pairing but one I think works with lobster dishes with an intense shellfish sauce like lobster thermidor or even a lobster bisque (though those will go with chardonnay too). Tavel would be another good pairing.
In the unlikely event you have any leftover lobster you may enjoy this recipe for Lobster thermidor baked potatoes from Mark Hix and there’s a ‘cheat’s’ way of jazzing up a cooked lobster here.
BY: FIONA BECKETT
(Grabbed from: http://www.matchingfoodandwine.com/news/pairings/wine-with-lobster-5-of-the-best-pairings/?tag=chardonnay)
