Fact: lobster rolls are absolutely delicious with wine. In the same way that we squeeze lemon atop seafood, wine gives lobster fresh, palate-cleansing acidity. Lobster’s sweet, delicate, and faintly briny flavors partner easily with many wines, but there are still a few guidelines. Read on for our quick tips for effortless wine pairing with lobster rolls, along with a quick recipe.
How To Pair Wine with Lobster Rolls
There are only two main factors to take into account when wine pairing with lobster:
- Lobster is delicate in flavor. Avoid tannic red wines, which will taste harsh or bitter against mild lobster meat. White wines are a safer bet than red wines with lobster (unless you’re having a meaty preparation like surf and turf).
- Lobster is faintly sweet. White wines that are fruit-forward or have a hint of sweetness truly hit their sweet spot with lobster.
Great Wines for Lobster
Ultimately, lobster is a versatile dish that plays well with a wide range of white and sparkling wines. While I have my favorites, lobster is forgiving, so I encourage you to experiment. Let your palate be the guide when navigating the many options. Here are some ideas:
- If you enjoy fruit-forward wines with a hint of sweetness, consider these wines:
- Chenin Blanc from California or Vouvray, France usually has a rounded texture, lightly honeyed aromatics, generous golden apple flavors, and cidery acidity, accentuating lobster’s subtle sweetness.
- New World-style Chardonnay from cool-climate regions of the U.S. (Oregon, Washington, Sonoma, California) has just enough ripe tree fruit to match the delicate lobster meat, without the oaky or buttery flavors that might overpower it
- Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris from California or Alsace, France offer ripe tree and stone fruit flavors that feel lightly sweet, yet are still dry on the finish, harmonizing with the lobster
- If you prefer dry wines, these wines add acidity and flavor contrast:
- Chablis’ northerly climate, Kimmeridgian limestone soil, and minimal oak gives it distinct flinty minerality, citrusy acidity, and a clean, dry finish. It is particularly refreshing with lobster dressed in lemon
- Sparkling wine offers palate-cleansing bubbles and crisp acidity that is extra delicious if your lobster has a side of fries.
- Provence rosé, typically made from Grenache, Cinsault, or Mourvedre, is light, smooth, and mineral-driven. Its soft summer fruit and herbal notes let the delicate lobster meat take center stage
The Easiest Way to Make Lobster Rolls
Here’s a shortcut that can save you hours spent cracking lobster shells. Just buy frozen, pre-cooked lobster meat, thaw it overnight in the fridge, and you’re ready to go! Yes, it is literally that simple.
There is only one catch: you need a good-quality source of lobster meat. Beware of grocery stores, whose live lobsters have been out of the sea for weeks. Their lobster meat is often lower quality, since major grocers try to negotiate the cheapest prices possible. Your best bet is to find a restaurant-grade purveyor of lobster meat, and order from them online.
Lobster Anywhere
In this article, we feature our favorite crustacean purveyor, Lobster Anywhere. This Maine-based business works directly with New England lobstermen and fishermen to obtain only the best-quality seafood. After three decades of being in business, they are experts in keeping seafood ultra-fresh in transit to fine dining establishments, hotels, and households.
Lobster Anywhere is unique in that it can ship lobsters practically right out of the sea to your doorstep. Once the lobsters are caught, they are kept briefly in live-holding systems. Then, they are packed and delivered as quickly as possible.
You might be thinking, great – but can I afford high quality lobster rush-shipped from Maine? Thanks to Lobster Anywhere’s direct relationships with major air carriers, they are able to offer free shipping on most of their products. Put differently, the cost of Lobster Anywhere is no different from that of lobster at a restaurant. However, you can enjoy it from the comfort of your home.
Easy, 4-Ingredient Lobster Roll Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lb high-quality frozen lobster meat
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 6 split-top rolls
- 3-4 tbsp salted butter, melted
- Optional: lemon and chopped chives for garnish
Instructions
- Thaw frozen lobster in the refrigerator overnight, up to 24 hours. If you are in a hurry, you can immerse the bag in room-temperature water to thaw in about 1-2 hours.
- Place thawed lobster in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Let the water drain out.
- In a bowl, mix lobster with mayonnaise. You can store this in the refrigerator for a few hours, or move onto the next step if you are ready to serve.
- Melt butter in a microwave or saucepan. Brush melted butter onto the sides of the rolls.
- In a nonstick pan on medium heat, toast the rolls lightly on each side until golden brown.
- Stuff rolls with lobster meat gently, so that the rolls do not break.
- Enjoy with crisp white wines like Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, or Sparkling Wine.
Enjoyed this wine pairing with lobster rolls? Get inspired for your next meal with these other delicious food and wine pairings:
