What wine goes with shrimp?
A crisp, dry white like Albariño, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is the best wine for shrimp, because shrimp is sweet and delicate, and a zesty white works like a squeeze of lemon.
Shrimp is light, a little sweet and briny, and most of the time it shows up with lemon, garlic or butter. That is crisp white wine territory. The only time you want to go bigger is when the shrimp is fried, buttery or swimming in Cajun spice.
4 bottles that actually work with shrimp
1. Martín Códax Albariño
about $15Albariño · grocery and wine shops
From the coast of northwest Spain, where they eat shellfish with almost everything. Salty, citrusy and bright. The best shrimp wine most people have never tried.
2. Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
about $25Pinot Grigio · nearly everywhere
Clean, crisp and familiar. Great with shrimp scampi or a shrimp cocktail, though cheaper Pinot Grigio does a similar job.
3. Mionetto Prosecco Brut
about $13Glera · grocery stores
Bubbles and fried shrimp, or bubbles and coconut shrimp. Either way, the fizz cuts the batter and keeps it light.
4. Whispering Angel Rosé
about $22Grenache blend · grocery and wine shops
Pale, dry and crisp. The best match for grilled shrimp and anything with a bit of char or spice.
Depends how you are cooking it
- Shrimp scampi
- Garlic and butter. Pinot Grigio, or a lightly oaked Chardonnay if it is very buttery.
- Shrimp cocktail
- Cold and tangy. Sparkling wine or Sauvignon Blanc.
- Cajun shrimp or a shrimp boil
- Spice wants a little sweetness and low alcohol. Off-dry Riesling or a cold rosé.
- Shrimp tacos
- Lime and cilantro. Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño.
What to skip
- Tannic red wine
- Tannin and shellfish produce a metallic, tinny taste. It is one of the few genuinely bad combos.
- Oaky, buttery Chardonnay with simple shrimp
- It drowns the sweetness of the shrimp. Only worth it with a rich butter sauce.
Also worth a look
Last checked 2026-10-04.