So much so that, in the Republic of Venice, the "scampi fisherman" was one of the most sought-after and best-paid professionals in the entire Serenissima.
If in the traditional Italian recipes, the scampi are cooked in a sauce of olive oil or butter, white wine, and garlic and then used to flavor risottos and pasta, abroad the scampi are combined with noodles in salads or spicy dishes. Grilled, pan-fried, or in tempura, each recipe allows you to indulge yourself in the choice of the ideal wine pairing with shrimp scampi.
Today, we're going to take a look at the various ingredients used in various recipes and recommend the best wine for shrimp scampi.
Best Wine with Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp scampi are crustaceans with a soft and delicious flavor that are often cooked in a simple way to enhance their savory and vaguely sweet taste. Their meat is soft and tasty and goes well with ingredients such as garlic, white wine, butter, or olive oil.
The ideal combination for recipes with shrimp scampi is the one with white wine, perfect to enhance the velvety flavors of the sea.
The best white wine for scampi is dry, with good flavor and acidity capable of balancing the sweet tendency of the dish without opposing a too marked alcoholic vein. The citrus notes of the white wine help soften the pungent flavors of the garlic, while the lively acidity cleanses the palate of the dish's buttery or olive oil flavors between bites. Better to opt for a medium / full-bodied wine that can withstand the texture of the dish, and to avoid oaked wines as the wooden notes may overpower its delicacy.
Best white wine for shrimp scampi
It is hard to pick just one winner with scampi, but if we absolutely must choose, the best dry white wine for shrimp scampi is probably a good Chardonnay, like a Chablis, that can enhance the marine flavors with its minerality, balance the light sweetness of the crustaceans and cleanse the palate of the sauce with its fresh acidity.
Our suggestion: Chablis 1er Cru AOC "Montmains", Domaine Raoul Gautherin & Fils
Best white wine for cooking shrimp scampi
To choose a wine for cooking, you must always remember not to use a wine that you would not drink. The quality of wine for cooking is important and should not be underestimated. A good wine for shrimp scampi, to be used both in cooking and as an accompaniment, is Pinot Grigio. The scampi will be juicy and fragrant and their flavor very delicate.
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Wine for shrimp scampi
The best wine to pair with shrimp scampi is definitely a delicate and medium-bodied white. The fine and characteristic flavor of the crustacean meat and their soft consistency go perfectly with white wines that can harmonize with the taste of these crustaceans.
Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh, fruity, and infinitely elegant, Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape variety of French origins, today present all over the world. Depending on the area of origin, this wine can take on distinct connotations. In cold climates, it assumes green and herbaceous aromas of pepper and tomato leaf. Conversely, when subjected to a warm climate, the wine will present more complex aromas of exotic fruits such as pineapple and passion fruit, and green tea.
In general, it is an incredibly versatile wine in terms of pairings, and its innate sapidity enhances the sweetness of the ingredients. Furthermore, its acidity compensates for the spicy component and is therefore particularly suitable for Thai scampi shrimp recipes.
Our suggestion: Sancerre Blanc "Comte Lafond", Baron de Ladoucette
Chardonnay
Whether it is an aperitif or a second course, shrimp scampi are perfectly enjoyed with a medium-bodied white wine with a nice acidity. The ideal wine to go with shrimp scampi can enhance their aromas without covering their flavors, marrying in a balanced way with the sweetness and fragrance of the dish.
Soft and persistent, Chardonnay is a white that goes perfectly with scampi dishes, enhancing their taste with a pleasant sapidity and a delicately fruity finish and balancing their sweetness with a remarkable freshness.
Our suggestion: Langhe Chardonnay DOC, Villa Lanata
Albariño
In addition to shellfish farming, the Rías Baixas are best known for their Albariño wine, made from the homonymous grape. The fresh Atlantic breeze typical of Galicia blows away excess moisture and nourishes the fruit with the salty air from the sea.
This gives the popular white wine its famous mineral, salty note, and acidity: a delightful contrast to the varietal aromas of acacia, grated lemon peel, ripe grapefruit, juicy melon, and sweet nectarine.
For these reasons and for the motto that rightly says that 'what grows together goes together', Albarino is an excellent wine in general with fish but especially with shrimp scampi.
Our suggestion: Palacio de Fefinanes Albarino de Fefinanes
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is a versatile grape, capable of making a wide range of wines. And with its variety of expressions, there are plenty of matching possibilities.
In the case of scampi, it is advisable to choose a fresh and young wine to prevent the woody notes from entering into contrast and overpowering the delicacy of the dish.
The fresh natural acidity of Chenin Blanc can cut through the butteriness of scampi dishes, balancing the decisive notes of garlic. At the same time, the rich creaminess of the wine-and-butter sauce complements the ripe fruit flavors of the wine.
Our suggestion: Anjou Blanc "Les Petits Gars" 2020 - Domaine des Hardières
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is an international grape variety that produces balanced wines that are extremely versatile in food pairings. Thanks to the sapid-mineral combination, Pinot Grigio is dry, light, and velvety on the palate which makes it a good white wine for shrimp scampi. Finally, the olfactory profile reveals aromas of fresh fruit, delicate floral notes, and aromatic herbs, perfect for pairing with pasta with shrimp scampi.
Fresh, savory, and soft, with a pleasant citrus and delicately mineral trail, Pinot Grigio can enhance the delicate elegance of many shrimp scampi recipes with finesse.
Which Pinot Grigio is best for shrimp scampi?
There’s plenty of choice among Pinot Grigio wines, but the best for shrimp scampi, in our opinion, will be the Collio Pinot Grigio DOC from Schiopetto which is sapid and fresh, but at the same time balanced and soft.
Vermentino
With good structure and freshness, Vermentino is a great dry white wine for scampi. It has the right personality to enhance their taste, accompanying the dish with its pleasant bouquet of fruity and floral notes.
Its flavor on the palate is intense and persistent, slightly acidic with a delicate and characteristic bitter vein on the finish. The acidic backbone can help in cleansing the palate from the scampi dressing, and the herbal notes can enhance the garlicky hints.
Excellent to be enjoyed chilled, Vermentino is always very good with fish and seafood, especially with scampi.
Our suggestion: Bolgheri Vermentino DOC "SoloSole" 2021 - Poggio al Tesoro
Riesling
The scents of Riesling do not differ much from other semi-aromatic vines, often oriented towards hints of green fruit (green apple, lime, lemon, and citrus fruits in general) and white flowers (wisteria, jasmine, hawthorn for example) especially if the wine comes from slightly cooler areas. Instead in the warmer areas, the wines take on more tropical characteristics, reminiscent of peaches, pears, and apricots.
The taste reveals an important freshness and, especially in certain areas, also a strong sapidity, whilst the alcohol is always pretty low and rarely exceeds 12%.
Thanks to its elegant profile, good freshness and persistence, Riesling is the best wine for scampi when served raw.
Our suggestion: Alsace Riesling AOP, Domaine Amélie & Charles Sparr
Prosecco
Prosecco is a sparkling white wine typical of the Veneto region, which has now become very popular all over the world. The nose has aromas of wildflowers, and golden and green apples, followed by a sapid, and fresh sip with a light almond finish.
Due to its sparkling and fresh character, with scampi, Prosecco is spot on, because it softens the savory character while at the same time enhancing the sea aromas. Furthermore, the bubbles can also cleanse the palate of the fatness of the dressing, whether it is oil or butter.
Our suggestion: Prosecco Spumante Brut Doc “Tenuta Crivanetta” - Fidora
Can you pair red wine with shrimp scampi?
In general, it is better to avoid red wines paired with scampi. Their tannins and stronger structure could clash with the delicacy of the scampi.
Occasionally, in the case of grilled scampi or served with a tomato sauce, one can possibly opt for an easy and fresh red wine, with very soft tannins and a light body like a young Pinot Noir.
Conclusions
Whether they are grilled and seasoned with olive oil and Mediterranean herbs, or eaten raw, or pan-fried with butter and white wine and served with pasta, scampi are delicious crustaceans with a fine and delicate flavour.
The best wine for shrimp scampi must therefore be able to respect the marine and sweet notes and leave a harmonious sensation on the palate. Here we have given you a wide choice of options. Now it's up to you to find your favorite!
Photo credits Brett Jordan