11 pairings
Chardonnay
Crab on toast with Wiston Blanc de Blancs NV: Pure Chardonnay acidity and a low dosage keep sweet white crab meat clean.
The short answer
Across 33 crab pairings on 32 of our bottle pages, the grapes our editors pour most often are Chardonnay (11), Riesling (9), Pinot Gris (4) and Pinot Noir (4). For example, Wiston Blanc de Blancs NV from Sussex with crab on toast: Pure Chardonnay acidity and a low dosage keep sweet white crab meat clean.
By style: white 24, sparkling 8, orange 1 of the 33 pairings.
The wines that turn up most: Wachau DAC, Cru Classe de Graves (white); Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, Premier Cru (Puligny-Montrachet,, AOC Crémant de Limoux, Condrieu.
The best grapes for crab
9 pairings
Riesling
Freshwater crab with herb cream with Alzinger Riesling Smaragd Steinertal: Primary-rock mineral and racy acidity provide the perfect counterpoint to rich shellfish.
4 pairings
Pinot Gris
Soft fried crab with Sivi Pinot Ambra: Movia names this pairing; the almond and butter notes sit with the fried shell.
4 pairings
Pinot Noir
Dressed crab with Roebuck Classic Cuvee: Vibrant acidity keeps rich brown crab meat lifted.
3 pairings
Pinot Meunier
Dressed crab with Artelium Curators Cuvee: Freshness and depth in balance suit sweet and brown crab meat together.
2 pairings
Bacchus
Fresh crab with Kinsbrook Bacchus: Citrus lift keeps sweet crab meat clean.
2 pairings
Pinot Blanc
Crab salad with Albourne Blanc de Blancs: An Albourne suggestion, apple and pear keeping sweet crab bright.
2 pairings
Sauvignon Blanc
Soft-shell crab tempura with Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc: The wine's high acidity and citrus notes cut through the oil of tempura while sweet crab flesh mirrors stone-fruit richness.
Bottles to pour with crab
The best-rated pairings, one per producer and no more than two from any one region, so the list travels.
Freshwater crab with herb cream
Primary-rock mineral and racy acidity provide the perfect counterpoint to rich shellfish.
Shellfish, crabs and lobster
Producer recommends shellfish and crustaceans; the wine's full body and aromatic intensity match sweet shellfish.
Soft-shell crab tempura
The wine's high acidity and citrus notes cut through the oil of tempura while sweet crab flesh mirrors stone-fruit richness.
Crab bisque
Full body and mineral depth stand up to the richness of shellfish bisque.
Crab with olive oil and lemon
The wine's saline mineral-umami character is the ideal foil for sweet crab and citrus.
Crab cakes
Apricot and salty stone match shellfish cake.
Crab on toast
Pure Chardonnay acidity and a low dosage keep sweet white crab meat clean.
Crab salad
Creamy finish and salinity flatter sweet crab.
Crab salad with avocado
The wine's acidity cuts through rich shellfish and avocado.
Lobster or crab
Grapefruit and flint notes suit richer shellfish.
Crab bisque with cream
The wine's aromatic intensity and creaminess are amplified by rich shellfish soup.
Dressed crab
Vibrant acidity keeps rich brown crab meat lifted.
Taste the pairing: food and wine in Wachau
Food and wine tastings you can book in Wachau, one of the regions whose bottles our editors pour with crab.
Wachau Valley Private Wine Tour with Tasting and Gourmet Lunch
Explore Austria’s renowned Wachau Valley on a private wine tasting tour that showcases the region's exceptional wines and culinary delights. This day trip from Vienna ...
Krems an der Donau: Winery tour and tasting at the Weingut Stadt Krems winery
Experience our winery up close: guided tour of the cellar, tasting of fine wines. Reserve your spot now!
Wine tasting on traditional wooden boats in Wachau Valley
On the big river danube we will ship you through the Wachau valley, passing the small villages and sights while you are tasting wine from regional producers.
pairings by region
- Sussex: 14 pairings, Sussex food and wine pairing
- Wachau: 5 pairings, Wachau food and wine pairing
- Bordeaux: 2 pairings, Bordeaux food and wine pairing
- Rheinhessen: 2 pairings, Rheinhessen food and wine pairing
- Rhone Valley: 2 pairings, Rhone Valley food and wine pairing
- Veneto: 2 pairings, Veneto food and wine pairing
- Alto Adige: 1 pairing, Alto Adige food and wine pairing
- Brda: 1 pairing, Brda food and wine pairing
- Burgundy: 1 pairing, Burgundy food and wine pairing
- Languedoc: 1 pairing, Languedoc food and wine pairing
- Mosel: 1 pairing, Mosel food and wine pairing
- Umbria: 1 pairing, Umbria food and wine pairing
Wine with crab, FAQ
What wine goes with crab?
Across 33 crab pairings on 32 of our bottle pages, the grapes our editors pour most often are Chardonnay (11), Riesling (9), Pinot Gris (4) and Pinot Noir (4). For example, Wiston Blanc de Blancs NV from Sussex with crab on toast: Pure Chardonnay acidity and a low dosage keep sweet white crab meat clean.
Red or white wine with crab?
Most often white: of the 33 crab pairings, the split by style is white 73%, sparkling 24% and orange 3%. The bottles below show which of each work and why.
Which wine regions are best with crab?
The regions with the most crab pairings on our bottle pages are Sussex, Wachau and Bordeaux.