The Best Wines To Pair With Oysters

Long considered an aphrodisiac, oysters will appear on many Valentine’s Day dinners, but pairing them with the wrong wine could ruin the romantic vibes. We’ve taken the guesswork out of matching so here’s a roundup of wines that work with oysters.

Blind Horse Winery 2019 Sparkling Brut, $49

Made from 100 percent local, Wisconsin grapes, this is Blind Horse Winery’s first debut in the sparkling realm. Made with La Crosse grapes from the nearby White Tail Vineyards, this bubbly boasts green apple on the mid palate with a dry, crisp acuity with just a hint of sweetness. “This brut pairs well with sushi, oysters, lobster, celebrations and fun,” says Tom Nye, master winemaker and general manager. “It’s a sparkling wine that can stand up to any sparkling wine anywhere.”

Tank Garage Winery, California Gigolo white wine blend, $38

With a name like California Gigolo, you know you’re getting something juicy. Tank Garage calls it “a sexy, groovy white wine that will make your tongue moan.” We call it a perfect pair with oysters. A heavy dose of Grüner Veltliner – 60 percent – plays well with Roussane (26 percent) Roussanne, Chenin Blanc (8 percent), and Grenache Blanc (6 percent). Just released last month, this white wine blend was sourced from the rolling hills of Edna Valley by San Luis Obispo. With such close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the soils there are rich with volcanic and marine sediments, which translates to a complex mineralogy that pairs brilliantly with oysters.

Chandon By The Bay Reserve Blanc de Blancs, $29.50

With a name that pays tribute to the San Francisco Bay Area, Chandon By The Bay Blanc de Blancs celebrates the Carneros wine-growing region in Napa. With a vibrant and elegant expression, it boasts layers of complexity with notes of lemon, grapefruit, brioche, vanilla and white flower. It pairs deliciously with oysters. In fact, it also makes a perfect ingredient for a mignonette to top oysters, and you can find the recipe here. “While By The Bay pairs beautifully with a variety of holiday favorites, foodie tradition dictates that oysters are at their best in months with the letter ‘r’ – from September to April – which means now,” says Pauline Lhote, winemaker.

The Vice Wine 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Oakville, $36

The winemakers at The Vice Wine understand that wine should be approachable and fun – even if it is very, very fine, and their 2018 Sauvignon Blanc from the Oakville vineyards is so fine. Rich and succulent with lemon and fresh ginger, it boasts vibrant acidity, and it pairs refreshingly well with oysters and other seafood. The Vice Wine’s “The House” Sauvignon Blanc would be another good choice for pairing. 

Dry Farm Wines curated natural wines, various $171-323/3, 6, or 12-bottle bottles

If you’re looking to pair your sustainable oysters with natural wine, head over to Dry Farms, and order a box of white wines – 3, 6 or 12 bottles. Dry Farms goes through a vigorous selection process to ensure that their winemakers use natural methods, farm on living soils using only dry farming techniques which are more sustainable and produce better fruit.  Note that when you order, you don’t get to select the exact wines – just check the seafood pairing box to get several that work with oysters.

Ferrari Trento Perlé 2016, Trentodoc, $39.99

This Italian sparkling wine is made from 100 percent Chardonnay grapes, and it boasts aromas of Reinette apples, citrus fruits, white peach and almond blossoms, with a slightly almond finish. This blanc de blanc spends at least 50 months on specially selected yeasts, and it pairs beautifully with oysters. 

Imagery Estate Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $17

Made by Jamie Benziger, “best woman winemaker” in the 2019 International Women’s Wine Competition, this Sauvignon Blanc is blended with 5 percent Dry Muscat, that lends a bit of refinement and softness to the finish. Its bright citrus and honeysuckle notes pair well with most seafoods, including oysters, and it’s will easily become a favorite wine. 

McBride Sisters Collection, Black Girl Magic Sparkling Brut, $24.99

A blend of mostly Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, this bright bubbly hails from Hake’s Bay in New Zealand. With soft floral notes and flavors of crisp apples and golden pears, this makes for a beautiful, effervescent pairing with oysters. It also makes a delicious Oakland 75 cocktail, which also pairs beautifully with oysters, and that recipe can be found here.

Tribute Wines 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, $15

This Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from a single, certified sustainable vineyard in Monterey. With floral and tropical notes, along with a beautiful minerality, it pairs seamlessly with raw oysters and other seafood dishes. 

McManis Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio, $11

Grown and crafted by fifth generation family farmers and vintners in California, this sustainable, estate grown Pinot Grigio is light and refreshing. It’s typically picked early in the ripening process and night harvested so to encourage citrus flavors and balanced acidity. As such, it’s great matchup with oysters.

Dutcher Crossing Winery 2018 Costello Vineyard Chardonnay, $35

This Alexander Valley Chardonnay is more of an old-world styled wine, with aromas of apples, sagebrush and lemon, with herbaceous elements that makes it a great pairing for seafood, including oysters, and if you’re planning on serving a richer oyster dish, then this wine should be on your menu. 

The Cult Wine 2020 Lodi Sauvignon Blanc, $20

While there’s usually a buzz around cult wines, the folks at The Cult Wine don’t believe that wine has to be taken so seriously to seriously be enjoyed. Their enjoyable Lodi Sauvignon Blanc boasts a bight acidity and lemon aromas that perfectly complement the brine of oysters. Light and crisp, it’s a fun choice for Valentine’s Day.

Champagne Ayala  Majeur NV, $55

This well-balanced and vibrant non-vintage brut hails from a historic champagne house, and combined with oysters, they make a dynamic duo. This Chardonnay forward and drier style of champagne enhances the briny, creamy and minerality of oysters, particularly West Coast style oysters, which are smaller and more delicate that East Coast. Brut Majeur NV particularly pairs well with Kumamoto and Hama Hama oysters.

Villa Maria Wines 2021 Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, $16

Hailing from the renowned Marlborough wine region of New Zealand, this delicate Sauvignon Blanc boasts aromas of lemongrass, fresh herbs and citrus. Its high acidity complements the salinity of oysters, making it a lovely pairing.