Luxurious and Luscious
Scallops are considered a luxurious and exclusive meal. The reason for this is that they’re easy to overcook and expensive to purchase. But, do not be intimidated, you can prepare this dish if you take care.
What Are the Different Varieties of Scallops?
Scallops are mollusks, similar to oysters, clams, and mussels. They use their central muscle, the adductor, to close their shells when swimming or when fearful, and this is the part that needs to be skillfully prepared. The scallop family is vast and includes over 400 species of different shapes and sizes. The most common types of scallops are:
- Sea scallops: These are larger deep-water species that can be found year-round and are great for searing and grilling.
- Bay scallops: This type of scallops can be located close to the shore during a certain season. They’re delicate and great for ceviche or sautéing.
- Frozen scallops: Commonly found in grocery stores, these scallops have been frozen directly on the boat to preserve their freshness and moisture. They can be sea or bay scallops.
- Finally, scallops can be prepared in a variety of ways. You can bake, grill, broil, or poach them, or serve them raw, tenderized by the crisp acidity of scallop ceviche.
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(4.5 / 5) What Wines Pair Well With Scallops?
Generally, matching white wine with scallops is preferred because tannic red wines overpower seafood dishes. So you won’t find the best red wine with scallops on our list. Now, choosing a great wine match depends on how you prepare your dish.
For example, if you cook scallop ceviche with chilies and lime, you should go with a Riesling that lifts lime flavors and bright acidity. On the other hand, if you go for seared scallops, you might want to complement them with a fuller-bodied white wine, perhaps one that has undergone oak or lees aging.
So, if your scallops are accompanied by a buttery sauce, you should pair them with a creamy, buttery wine. Likewise, if citrus elements are central to their preparation, pairing with a wine packed with citrus flavors is a wise option. Here are our wine choices for the best scallops wine pairing. You can thank us later.
Best White Wines With Scallops
Illumination Sauvignon Blanc
- Winery — Illumination
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Sauvignon Blanc
- Aroma — Pear, Apple, Melon, Grapefruit, Guava, Vanilla, Wet Stone
- Grapes — Sauvignon Blanc
- Taste — Pineapple, Guava, Passion Fruit, Gooseberry, Flint, Campfire
- Alcohol Content — 14.2%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Scallops, Sea Bass, Mignonette, Pork Chops, Grilled Artichokes, Greek Pasta Salad, Yogurt, Goat Cheese
Tasting Notes
Complex, bright, and dynamic, this Sauvignon Blanc showcases brisk acidity. The texture is creamy, and the flavors are juicy, making for a highly delicious wine. It has a moderate but elegant finish. Very aromatic and vibrant, Illumination Sauvignon begins with fragrances of apples, pears, melon, and grapefruit.
Guava, vanilla spice, and wet stone scents follow closely and add depth to the youthful nose. On the palate, the ample creaminess is profound and joined by flavors of peaches, pineapple, and passion fruit. Tastes are accentuated by the racy acidity, as notes of flint and campfire dominate the mid-palate. The finish is elegant, smooth, and sophisticated.
High-Quality Winemaking
The winery was founded in 2002. The first Illumination wines were produced from a small vineyard with alluvial soils on the northwestern corner of the Quintessa estate. There, the breezes and cooler temperatures encouraged the grapes to flourish. As the winery expanded, they began sourcing grapes from other Rutherford vineyards and similar cool regions in Napa Valley. The result? Wines with perfect fruit flavors, and ample minerals. A stimulating combination.
Domaine Hervé Azo Chablis
- Winery — Domaine Hervé Azo
- Country/Region — France, Bourgogne, Chablis
- Type — Burgundy Chablis
- Aroma — Peach, Apricot, Apple, Lime, Crushed Stone, Sea Brine, Asparagus
- Grapes — Chardonnay
- Taste — Nectarine, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Meyer Lemon, Banana, Brioche Bread, Gooseberry
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Scallops, Halibut, Polenta, Chicken With A Cream Sauce, Napolitana, Gouda
Tasting Notes
With a reserved but elegant nose and a pronounced Chablis character, this Chardonnay brims with aromas of orchard fruit, crushed stones, and sea brine. On the palate, delicious flavors of stone fruits and citruses culminate in a pleasurable conclusion.
Elegant aromas of peaches, apricots, apples, and limes define the nose, mingled with notes of crushed stones, sea brine, and asparagus. Inside the mouth, the taste buds welcome flavors of nectarines, pineapple, grapefruit, and Meyer lemons. Tastes of bananas, brioche, and gooseberry add a pleasant sensation, while the buttery texture leads to a medium, oak-driven aftertaste. This wine abounds in fresh acidity.
Becoming One of Chablis’ Prestigious Wineries
Hervé Azo began in the 1970s when he went to Chablis from Paris to harvest Chardonnay grapes. From the first moment, he loved the region, so he slowly began acquiring vineyards. Today, the Hervé Azo wine estate comprises twelve hectares of vineyards, rich in limestone and prehistoric fossils.
In 2004, Hervé sold the estate to Jean-Marc Brocard, whose family has a viticultural legacy in Chablis. The latter, in 2006, transitioned to organic farming, and since then has produced some of the best wines French wines.
Ratzenberger Bacharacher Riesling Kabinett Feinherb
- Winery — Ratzenberger
- Country/Region — Germany, Mittelrhein
- Type — German Riesling
- Aroma — Apple, Peach, Apricot, Grapefruit, Lychee, Watermelon
- Grapes — Riesling
- Taste — Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Meyer Lemon, Thyme, Fennel, Crushed Stone
- Alcohol Content — 11%
- Sugar — Semi-Dry
- Pairing — Scallops, Sea Bass, Roast Pork, Oven-baked Chicken, Carpaccio, Fennel Salad, Brie
Tasting Notes
Balanced and mineral-driven, this Riesling is high in acidity and packed with aromas and flavors of stone fruits and tropicals. As soon as you uncork the bottle, vibrant aromas of green apples, peaches, apricots, and grapefruits emerge, alongside soft touches of lychees and watermelon.
In the mouth, flavors of passion fruit, pineapple, and Meyer lemons join hints of thyme and fennel. Underneath it, all are the steely elements of crushed stones that drive into the lengthy finish. Bright acidity and slightly creamy, wine enthusiasts will favor this Riesling. Undoubtedly the best white wine with scallops.
German Winemaking Perfection
Ratzenberger focuses on producing high-end Riesling vintages. As the winery puts it, Riesling might be Mosel’s iconic grape variety, but they also enjoy a long tradition in the Middle Rhine Valley, where the grapes benefit from the excellent climatic and geographical conditions.
Founded in 1987, Ratzenberger winery cultivates and vinifies Pinot Noirs, too. Their philosophy is to work closely with nature when growing their vines and implement modest phytosanitary measures. Also, they consciously reduce their yields to produce high-quality and expressive dry and sparkling wines.
Best Rosé Wines With Scallops
Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé
- Winery — Gérard Bertrand
- Country/Region — France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Languedoc
- Type — Languedoc-Roussillon Rosé
- Aroma — Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Orange, Peach, Grapefruit, Meyer Lemon, Cherry, Dried Rose, Cassis
- Grapes — Nebbiolo, Grenache
- Taste — Raspberry, Redcurrant, Lime, Apricot, Pear, Apple, Butterscotch
- Alcohol Content — 13%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Scallops, Shellfish, Beef Tenderloin, Braised Duck, Sausages, Feta, Goat Cheese
Tasting Notes
With soft, pale pink hues that develop over time and nuances of white flowers and oranges, Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé is delectable. On the palate, it gives a fresh impression of red berries, citrus, and sweet candy. There is a persistent finish with zippy acidity.
Aromas of honeysuckle, jasmine, orange, and peaches join scents of grapefruit, Meyer lemons, and cherries. Notes of dried roses alongside touches of cassis complete the bouquet. In the mouth, this wine presents candied flavors of raspberries, redcurrants, lime, and apricots. Elements of apples, pears, and butterscotch can be traced as well. The finish is very fresh and persistent, while the acidity is vibrant.
One of the Best French Wine Producers
Born and raised in the South of France, Gerard Bertrand offers a vast selection of wines from the region. You can choose from bone-dry whites to sparkling and dessert wines. Through his produce, he seeks to evoke the characteristics of the South of France -the “art of life.” Gerard Bertrand has won numerous accolades for the quality of his wines. This success reinforces his dedication to viticulture and winemaking.
Château Pigoudet Cuvée Divine L’Oratoire
- Winery — Château Pigoudet
- Country/Region — France, Provence
- Type — Provence Rosé
- Aroma — Apple, Pear, Watermelon, Pineapple, Guava, Banana, Papaya, Sulfur, Grapefruit
- Grapes — Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Cinsault
- Taste — Cherry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Peach, Pepper, Coffee, Tobacco
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Scallops, Grilled Beef, Oven-baked Chicken, Tuna, Raman, Pizza, Goat Cheese
Tasting Notes
This wine has the tang of tart green apples and pears, mingled with scents of tropical fruit, sulfur, banana, and papaya. The palate has flavors of strawberries and stone fruits. You can expect a great finish and pleasant acidity. As you uncork this bottle, juicy scents of apples, pears, and watermelon emerge, interlaced with hints of tropical fruits.
Traces of sulfur, grapefruit, and dried herbs exist, too. The mouth is fulfilling with a rounded texture and tastes of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, and peaches, driving into the peppery aftertaste. Bright acidity keeps the wine balanced and makes it even more enjoyable.
Château Pigoudet
Château Pigoudet has been owned by the Rabe family for more than 25 years. Sabine Rabe and her husband, Hans-Ulrich have shaped the winery into one of the most renowned in Provence, particularly known for its exceptional rosés.
Conclusion
Scallops are the perfect seafood on a warm summer day. Providing you combine them with the right wine. Our wine list should be enough to help you in your quest for the perfect scallops wine match. In the end, though, you’re free to choose any wine you like. Pick the one that seems most interesting to you or closer to your tastes, and you’re good to go!
