The short answer

Across 142 scallops pairings on 142 of our bottle pages, the grapes our editors pour most often are Albariño (49), Chardonnay (43), Pinot Blanc (15) and Riesling (9). For example, Albariño de Fefiñanes 1583 from Rías Baixas with vieiras a la gallega (baked scallops with breadcrumbs and ham): The lees-aged texture wraps the sweet scallop, and the wine's acidity cleans the ham fat between bites.

By style: white 108, sparkling 33, rosé 1 of the 142 pairings.

The wines that turn up most: DO Rías Baixas, Rheinhessen, DOCG Franciacorta Satèn, Condrieu, DOCG Franciacorta Millesimato Brut, VDP.Gutswein Rheinhessen.

The best grapes for scallops

49 pairings

Albariño

Vieiras a la gallega (baked scallops with breadcrumbs and ham) with Albariño de Fefiñanes 1583: The lees-aged texture wraps the sweet scallop, and the wine's acidity cleans the ham fat between bites.

43 pairings

Chardonnay

Capesante in conchiglia with Bellavista Vintage Pas Operé: Pan-seared scallops in their shell find a foil in the wine's saline minerality; patisserie cream pairs with the buttery sauce.

15 pairings

Pinot Blanc

Pan-seared scallops with Sirmian Pinot Bianco: Sirmian's extraordinary minerality and racy finish flatter sweet scallops without overpowering.

9 pairings

Pinot Noir

Capesante in crosta with Monte Rossa Cabochon Brut: Pan-seared scallops in a herb crust find a foil in the wine's patisserie cream and toasted hazelnut.

6 pairings

Viognier

Seared scallops with mango and coriander with Condrieu Coteau de Chery: The wine's tropical mango character echoes the fruit in the scallop preparation.

6 pairings

Loureiro

Vieiras a la gallega (baked scallops with breadcrumbs and ham) with Terras Gauda O Rosal: The lees-aged texture wraps the sweet scallop, and the wine's acidity cleans the ham fat between bites.

Bottles to pour with scallops

The best-rated pairings, one per producer and no more than two from any one region, so the list travels.

Pan-seared scallops

Alto Adige whiteCantina Nals Margreid

Sirmian's extraordinary minerality and racy finish flatter sweet scallops without overpowering.

Sirmian Pinot Bianco →

Pan-seared scallops with curry butter

Alto Adige whiteCantina Tramin

Sweet shellfish and curry spice find a peer in the wine's saffron and ginger register.

Epokale Gewurztraminer Spaetlese →

Scallops with cauliflower cream

Bordeaux whiteChateau La Mission Haut-Brion

Sweet scallop and the nutty sweetness of cauliflower resonate with the wine's hazelnut and peach notes.

Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc →

Vieiras a la gallega (baked scallops with breadcrumbs and ham)

Rías Baixas whiteBodegas del Palacio de Fefiñanes

The lees-aged texture wraps the sweet scallop, and the wine's acidity cleans the ham fat between bites.

Albariño de Fefiñanes 1583 →

Capesante in conchiglia

Franciacorta sparklingBellavista

Pan-seared scallops in their shell find a foil in the wine's saline minerality; patisserie cream pairs with the buttery sauce.

Bellavista Vintage Pas Operé →

Capesante in crosta

Franciacorta sparklingMonte Rossa

Pan-seared scallops in a herb crust find a foil in the wine's patisserie cream and toasted hazelnut.

Monte Rossa Cabochon Brut →

Grilled scallops with lemon butter

Veneto whiteGini

Sweet scallop and citrus butter find the perfect counterpoint in almond-mineral Soave.

Gini Soave Classico La Frosca →

Pan-seared scallops with brown butter

Rheinhessen sparklingVDP.Sektgut Raumland

Lemon curd and toasted almond match scallop sweetness.

Chardonnay Reserve →

Taste the pairing: food and wine in Santiago, Vigo and the Rías Baixas

Food and wine tastings you can book in Rías Baixas, one of the regions whose bottles our editors pour with scallops.

Wine tastings and winery visits in Santiago, Vigo and the Rías Baixas (6) · Food tours in Santiago, Vigo and the Rías Baixas (10) · Wine tours and day trips in Santiago, Vigo and the Rías Baixas (6) · All wine and food experiences

pairings by region

Wine with scallops, FAQ

What wine goes with scallops?

Across 142 scallops pairings on 142 of our bottle pages, the grapes our editors pour most often are Albariño (49), Chardonnay (43), Pinot Blanc (15) and Riesling (9). For example, Albariño de Fefiñanes 1583 from Rías Baixas with vieiras a la gallega (baked scallops with breadcrumbs and ham): The lees-aged texture wraps the sweet scallop, and the wine's acidity cleans the ham fat between bites.

Red or white wine with scallops?

Most often white: of the 142 scallops pairings, the split by style is white 76%, sparkling 23% and rosé 1%. The bottles below show which of each work and why.

Which wine regions are best with scallops?

The regions with the most scallops pairings on our bottle pages are Rías Baixas, Franciacorta and Rheinhessen.

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