Wine Pairing With Scallops Guide

Scallops are among the most versatile types of seafood. They can be prepared in several ways — and each can determine which kind of wine will be the best complement. Whether you prefer them raw, seared, or baked, our Wine Pairing with Scallops Guide will help you choose the best bottle for your next scallops dish.

Scallops are like seafood royalty: luxurious, elegant, and refined. Their delicate, buttery texture and slightly sweet-and-salty flavor make them popular among fine dining restaurant menus.

But not all scallops are prepared equally. Some of our favorite dishes include Cast Iron Scallops, Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Scallops, a classic combination, and Seared Scallops with Corn and Longganisa, a type of sausage from the Philippines.

Each cooking method calls for a different type of wine pairing to bring out the best in both the seafood and the glass. In this guide, we'll offer some recommendations on which types of wine to pair with scallops based on how they're prepared. Be sure to keep it handy the next time you're making your favorite scallop dish, whether it's one of our recipes or your own!

Wine pairing tips

If you've ever ordered seafood at a restaurant and asked your waiter for a wine recommendation, chances are the list will focus on white wines.

While there are several kinds of white wine that pair exceptionally well with scallops, there are also a number of reds worth diving into.

To find the best complement, you'll want to consider a few different factors.

Cooking method

The cooking method can play a large role in determining the best wine pairing. Raw scallops, like those in a scallops crudo, will be a bit briny and sweet. And possibly citrusy if drizzled with lemon juice . A wine that's high in acidity, like a Chablis, Chenin Blanc, or Albarino, will balance the richness of the scallops. They will also highlight the acid from the lemons.

The same goes for sweet and buttery seared scallops. But a rich buttery Chardonnay will also complement those flavors. A light, fruity Pinot Noir will pair well, too. And just as with the whites mentioned above, the Pinot's acidity will help even out some of that richness.

Sides and accompaniments

Bacon-wrapped scallops are a classic because the bacon provides a pleasant smokiness and saltiness to the seafood. A dry, crisp rosé will cut through the salt, but not overpower the flavors in the dish. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling will also help balance the fattiness. And a light Grenache will complement the slight smokiness from the bacon.

Scallop Risotto doubles down on rich and creamy. In this case, a clean, dry white wine like a Pinot Grigio or a dry sparkling wine can provide some much-needed balance.

Seasonings and sauces

Some scallop dishes can come with prominent seasoning. For example, these New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp and scallops feature a spicy kick with a smoky-sweet sauce. A lighter-to-medium red like a Garnacha would pair well with the flavors of the sauce. And the spiciness of the wine will enhance those flavors in the dish.

White wine pairings with scallops

Looking for the ideal white wines to pair with scallops? Here are a few recommendations that will complement most scallop dishes.

1. Sauvignon Blanc - You can find a wide variety of aromas and flavors in Sauvignon Blanc depending on the growing region. For example, those produced in France and the well-known Sancerre region will have nice, crisp minerality and a slight flintiness due to the area's soil. Sauv Blancs grown in New Zealand often have prominent aromas of tropical fruits like mango and passionfruit.
   
   But it's the bright acidity and zesty citrus and herbaceous notes that make these wines a great complement for scallops. The acid evens out the butteriness of seafood, just as the citrus balances the brininess. With scallops, I prefer the dryer, crisper French Sauvignon Blancs, as more fruit-forward styles can compete with the flavors of the seafood.
   
2. Chardonnay - In very simple terms, Chardonnay can often be either full-bodied and buttery or clean and crisp, depending on how they're produced. Luckily, both styles pair excellently with scallops. Oaked and often buttery Chardonnay has a creaminess that complements the luxuriousness of the scallops themselves. This can be a great choice with simple seared scallops.
   
   Unoaked Chardonnay aged in stainless steel tanks can feature more prominent acidity as well as a lighter mouthfeel. This style will complement raw scallops as well as those prepared with citrus. They'll also provide a nice balance and palate cleanser to heavier scallop dishes.
   
3. Riesling - Another versatile white wine, Riesling can range from dry to off-dry to sweet. Both off-dry and drier, more acidic styles, known for aromas of green apple, stone fruit, and fresh minerality, will pair well with scallops.
   
   The slight sweetness in an off-dry style will complement that of the scallops. While the more prominent acidity of dry Rieslings will elegantly balance the delicate flavor and freshness of the seafood.
   
4. Vermentino - Vermentino is light-bodied white wine commonly from Sardinia and Corsica. It has zesty acidity and citrus and even some slight saltiness, as it's often grown near the sea. Those characteristics make this an excellent choice for pairing with scallops. And it can make for a refreshing change to the more commonly found varietals on this list.
   
5. Albariño - Produced mainly in Spain and Portugal, Albariño also features high acidity, citrus flavors, and subtle saltiness. And the Iberian region is also known for its high-quality scallops. What makes Albariño a particularly fine pairing for scallops is the wine's light body and relatively low alcohol content. This allows the scallops to shine and can make heavier scallop dishes seem less filling.

Best scallop dishes that pair with white wine

• Scallop Pasta - Lemon garlic scallop pasta features seared scallops in wonderful citrusy sauce. This rich flavorful dish will pair well with a full-bodied oaked Chardonnay. And the butteriness of the wine will complement the succulent texture of the scallops.
• Seared Scallops - Pair seared scallops with corn with an off-dry Riesling. The wine's slight sweetness will enhance the corn's slightly sweet flavor.
• Air Fryer Scallops - These easy air fryer scallops have a lot of herby goodness, since they're seasoned with dill and topped with chopped parsley. Pair them with a dry, crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's herbaceousness will complement the scallops without overpowering the flavors of the dish.

Red wine pairings with scallops

While white wine is a more traditional scallop pairing, some red wines, particularly lighter-bodied ones, can also work delightfully well with this seafood.

Here are three red wines to try with scallops:

1. Pinot Noir - Generally, Pinot Noirs are elegantly complex with low tannins and higher acidity. These qualities can make the wine a good pairing for scallops, especially dishes that also have a fair amount of acidityl. Pinot Noir also features dark fruit and earthy flavors which will pair well with scallops and mushrooms or the savoriness of seared scallops.
2. Gamay - Another light-bodied red wine varietal, Gamay is a good scallops option for similar reasons as Pinot Noir. Gamay is the main grape in Beaujolais, and the light flavors and body of a young Beaujolais will help enhance the flavor of heartier scallop dishes without overwhelming the flavor of the food.
3. Grenache - Grenache (or Garnacha) is typically light to medium-bodied with slightly peppery notes. It can be a great choice with savory scallop dishes with rich sauces or even a bit of spiciness.

Best scallop dishes to pair with red wine

• Bacon-Wrapped Scallops - Grilled bacon-wrapped scallops provide a tasty combination of smoky and salt, coupled with the luscious texture of the seafood. Try this dish with an aged Pinot Noir. The aging will produce a mellower mouthfeel that will pleasantly enhance the savoriness of this dish.
• Cast Iron Scallops - Seared cast iron scallops produce a nice, crispy, caramelized outer crust which adds more savory flavor. Pair this dish with a Gamay, which will elevate the savory characteristics while holding up to the richer flavors of the seafood.
• Barbecue Scallops - Preparing scallops in a spicy sauce like these New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp and scallops can lend the dish some delicious smokiness and heat. Try this dish with a Garnacha from Spain which will pleasantly enhance the spiciness of this dish.

Rosé wine pairings with scallops

Rosé wine can be a delightful pairing for scallops due to the wine's often bright acidity and lighter body. The acidity will help cut through dishes with heavier sauces and will even out ones with a fair amount of acidity themselves.

Rosé wines regularly exhibit slightly sweet red fruit notes like strawberry, as well as citrus. That can complement the sweetness and balance the brininess of the scallops.

Try a rosé with scallop risotto. This dish is hearty and creamy. And the buttery scallops add even more richness. A crisp, refreshing rose will provide a pleasant balance to all that richness and act as a bright palate cleanser without clashing with the savory flavors.

Sparkling wine with scallops

If you're all about the luxury, don't be shy about pairing scallops with sparkling wine. Sparkling wines from Champagne to Prosecco and Cava can all complement scallop dishes, depending on the preparation:

1. Raw scallops - Dishes like scallop ceviche or crudo can pair well with a lively Prosecco. The acidity from the wine will help temper the acidity and any briny flavor in the dish.
2. Baked scallops - Baked scallops will have a soft, buttery texture and flavor, so choose a sparkling wine that isn't bone dry. Opt for a brut or sec-style Champagne with a touch of sweetness to complement that in the seafood.
3. Seared scallops - Pair the richer and sometimes smokier flavor of seared scallops with a dry sparkling wine. The clean taste and body of the wine will allow the flavors of the dish to shine.

Food and wine pairing FAQs

Wines that don't pair well with scallops

1. Big, full-bodied reds - Wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Rioja often have a lot of tannin and can have prominent flavors from barrel aging, like leather, tobacco, and caramel. That can clash with and overpower the more delicate texture and flavors of scallops.
2. Sweet dessert wines - While scallops can be slightly sweet, pairing them with a deeply sugary dessert-style wine will overwhelm the savory or citrus qualities of the dish.
3. Wines high in alcohol - High-alcohol wines, like Zinfandel and Syrah, often feel heavier on the palate. That can weigh down more delicate scallop dishes and outshine the elegant texture and taste of the seafood.