The best wines to pair with Oysters are Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis, Muscadet, Albariño, Sancerre, and Champagne. Cold, refreshing, and light white wines that highlight the delicate flavours of the oysters, while also helping to wash them down your throat, make for an incredible and memorable experience.

Of course, the taste of Oysters vary by their Geography. Pacific Oysters, like Kumamotos, are sweet, and mild in their salinity, making them perfect for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne, Chablis, or Muscadet.

Eastern Oysters, like Malpeques and Beausoleils from Canada, are more mineral driven and saltier, which are two qualities that will make a Sauvignon Blanc taste like sour metal. (although this can be saved if you sprinkle some mignonette on your oyster).  Thus, for Eastern Oysters, choose a bone dry Grüner Veltliner, where the peppery notes complement the saltiness of the oysters.  Champagne Blancs du Blanc is also an exception white wine with Eastern Oysters.

Finally, we have Olympia and European Flat Oysters, which are extremely intense, metallic and umami-rich.  Any wine you pair with it, will most likely taste horrible.  I would avoid all wine matches if these wines are naked and raw.  Stick to using these oysters in recipes which add new flavours and reduce the saltiness of the Olympia or European Flat oysters.  Or pick a cold Lager to wash these Oysters down!

+ Click on the plus sign in the table below to expand upon why these individual pairings work! +

Best Wine with Oysters