It's oyster season, but what wine goes with oysters? Whether you're serving fresh oysters with a classic mignonette, throwing them on the BBQ, or baking traditional cooked oysters recipes like Oysters Rockefeller, this guide has you covered. My ultimate oyster pairing guide includes all the most popular ways to serve oysters and wine pairings for each one.

🦪 What Wine To Serve With Oysters? 🦪

In this list of classic oysters recipes, I have included an oyster wine pairing for each dish. Because the best wine pairing for oysters will depend on their preparation. Peruse the list or skip to the oyster wine pairing that you need, and cheers! (And read my basic food and wine pairings guide for more info on the power of pairings)

Jump to:

• 🦪 What Wine To Serve With Oysters? 🦪
• 1. Fresh Oysters With Mignonette
• 2. Oysters Rockefeller
• 4. BBQ Oysters
• 5. Oysters Kilpatrick
• 6. Oysters Au Gratin
• 7. Smoked Oysters
• 8. Oysters With Ginger Japanese Dressing
• 9. Oysters Mornay
• 10. Oysters Dupont
• 11. Deep-Fried Oysters
• 12. Roasted Oysters
• Seafood Appetizer Recipes
• 💬 Comments

1. Fresh Oysters With Mignonette

Wine pairing: Champagne

The high acidity of Champagne is considered the best match for raw oysters served in the classic style with a red wine vinegar mignonette sauce and some lemon wedges. Try a blanc de blanc Champagne, or an alternative is a Crémant Blanc de Blancs from Alsace rather than the Champagne region, so it is generally less costly.

But if the bubbles of champagne aren't your thing, then a dry Fino sherry is a great match with the salty flavor profile of fresh, briny oysters.

2. Oysters Rockefeller

Wine pairing: Chardonnay

The best wine with Oysters Rockefeller is a cool climate Chardonnay with plenty of green fruit notes, crisp acidity, and a buttery, oaked finish. Fuller-bodied white wines like a white Burgundy, or Northern California's dry crisp white wines strike the perfect balance.

3. Oysters Bienville

Wine pairing: Sancerre or Chenin Blanc

Serve a Sancerre with Oysters Bienville which is a dish with a deeper symphony of flavors and a roux base, so a stronger wine with some minerality is the best choice to cut through it. Sancerre wines (made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes in the Loire Valley) are a classic shellfish pairing often served with oysters. But there are plenty of other delicious Sauvignon Blanc wines out there, New Zealand having many other highly rated options.

A more unusual pairing would be a sparkling Vouvray (Chenin Blanc) to give some bright acidity and sparkly pop against the rich saltiness.

4. BBQ Oysters

Wine pairing: Chardonnay

If you're hosting a BBQ, the perfect wine pairing for grilled oysters is a Chablis or other wine from Chardonnay grapes made in a similarly cool area. Fascinatingly, the soil that grapes grow on in Chablis appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) actually contains sea fossils, including oyster shells.

5. Oysters Kilpatrick

Wine pairing: semi-sweet rose sparkling wine

Try serving a demi-sec (semi-sweet) rose sparkling wine, like a rose champagne or rose prosecco, with this oysters recipe full of big, bold, and sweet yet salty flavors. The acidity, bubbles, and slight sweetness will work well with bacon and Worcestershire sauce.

6. Oysters Au Gratin

Wine pairing: Albariño

A richer-style Albariño works so well with shellfish whilst also being able to stand up to the rich profile of this dish and creamy sauces. It has citrus notes but also exhibits stone fruits, such as peaches and nectarines, that work so well here.

7. Smoked Oysters

Wine pairing: Sauvignon Blanc

A Pouilly-Fumé, which is a French dry white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes in the Loire Valley, is ideal. Whether you're smoking them yourself or using canned smoked oysters, you will need a wine that can stand up to the strong smoky flavor as well as the natural saltiness.

8. Oysters With Ginger Japanese Dressing

Wine pairing: Grüner Veltliner or Gewürztraminer

Serve an aromatic grape variety like a Grüner Veltliner or Gewürztraminer with spicy oyster dishes. The strong aromatic flavors of this oyster recipe demand something equal in power.

9. Oysters Mornay

Wine pairing: Chardonnay

A creamy oaked Chardonnay with a fuller body and mouthfeel is the best wine to serve with Oysters Mornay as it will perfectly complement the cheesy, rich taste. I also enjoy an aged Alsatian white wine like a Pinot Gris, which can cut through the richness and creamy texture.

10. Oysters Dupont

Wine pairing: Viognier

Serve a Viognier with this delicious Oyster Dupont recipe, where fresh crab meat and feta cheese also come to the party. If you're skipping the strong and salty feta, dry rosé wine can work well with the more delicate flavors.

11. Deep-Fried Oysters

Wine pairing: Pinot Noir

A light and fruity Pinot Noir is perfect with creamy, crispy fried oysters. Try one from Burgundy, Northern California, or Chile. Whilst many will say that you shouldn't serve red wine with seafood, this is not always true! Lighter grape varieties like Pinot Noir and Gamay can work perfectly with shellfish, as well as white meat.

12. Roasted Oysters

Wine pairing: Gamay

A lighter red wine, like a Beaujolais, is ideal with roast oysters. Serve Beaujolais slightly chilled for best results!

I hope these wine pairings have tickled your taste buds and given you a new flavor combination or two to try. From crisp white wines to light reds and fortified options, there are so many different wines and various ways to match them up. But ultimately, when answering the question of what wine goes with oysters, the best pairing is the one you will enjoy! Try some and see, and be sure to leave a comment below and let me know your favorite.

Seafood Appetizer Recipes

Love oysters? Try some of my other seafood recipes, which always include a wine pairing.