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Seafood · Wine pairing

What wine goes with crab & crab cakes?

Sweet crab meat pairs with crisp-but-rich whites: Chardonnay, Albariño, Pinot Grigio or sparkling wine for fried crab cakes.

The rule: Sweet shellfish, bright white.

By Rate This Wine editors · Updated · How we rate

Crab & crab cakes

The 3 best wines with crab & crab cakes

  1. Chardonnay

    1 Chardonnay Full-bodied white (oaked) or crisp (unoaked)

    Lightly oaked Chardonnay for crab cakes with remoulade.

    Serve 48-55°F Good bottles from $12; top Burgundy $50+

  2. Albariño

    2 Albariño Light, crisp white

    Fresh and salty for steamed crab.

    Serve 45-50°F From $14

  3. Champagne

    3 Champagne Dry sparkling wine

    Fried crab cakes plus bubbles: an easy win.

    Serve 43-48°F Non-vintage from $35; vintage $70+

Best on a budget: Pinot Grigio from Friuli.

Also good

Pinot Grigio / Pinot GrisSauvignon BlancRiesling

What to avoid

  • Big reds. Overpower the sweet crab.

It depends how you cook it

If you’re having…Pour
Maryland crab with Old BayOff-dry Riesling or a cold lager-style crisp white like Grüner.
Dungeness with butterChardonnay.

Matching the sweetness of crab

Crab meat is naturally sweet and delicate, so the wine needs freshness without overwhelming it. Crab cakes add breadcrumbs, butter and often a creamy or spicy sauce, which is why a lightly oaked Chardonnay or sparkling wine works so well.

If your crab is seasoned heavily with Old Bay or chili, pick something with a touch of sweetness, like an off-dry Riesling, to calm the spice.

Frequently asked questions

What wine goes with crab legs?

Chardonnay for buttery crab, Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc for simple steamed crab.

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