Oysters are as complex as the wines that accompany them. Simultaneously salty and sweet, buttery and minerally, the world really is your oyster when it comes to pairing these mollusks with wine. Just like there is more than one way to shuck and eat an oyster, there are many different wines to pair. When pairing oysters with a particular wine, ask yourself what you want to highlight. Do you enjoy eating them fresh from the shell, or slightly cooked? Do you enjoy them for their salty and briny nature, or do you want to highlight their buttery and creamy qualities? No matter how you intend on enjoying them, there is a perfect wine just waiting to be opened and enjoyed.

Champagne

It is hard to find something that Champagne doesn’t pair well with. Oysters are no exception. Oysters and Champagne are as much of an iconic duo as Chandler Bing is to Joey Tribbiani. Fried, grilled, broiled, or just shucked, Champagne can stand up to just about any type of oyster, regardless of whether it is cooked or raw. Try a richer and fuller-bodied style of Champagne with Oysters Rockefeller, and lighter styles if you are slurping them straight out of the shell. The bubbly mousse combined with the high acidity of Champagne is perfect for cleansing the palate, getting your mouth ready for the next round.

Chablis

Chablis is a Burgundy wine region known for its Chardonnay. If you think you know Chardonnay, think again. Chablis is known for its legendary white wines that display notes of toasted hazelnut, almond, and yellow apple, wines from this region are a world of difference. Chablis is known for its dry, crisp, and bright expressions of Chardonnay with flavors of citrus, pear, mineral, and saline. Oysters are naturally briny, which makes them a nice compliment to the minerality in the wine. What makes Chablis distinct from any other type of Chardonnay is the soil. Here, the Kimmeridgian soil is king. This type of soil contains pieces of fossilized oysters, making it a no-brainer for pairing with fresh seafood. Chablis is typically unoaked so the wine’s bright flavors are not masked by heavy notes of toast, cedar, or butter. The freshness of the oysters can shine in all of its briny glory. Skip the cocktail sauce and the red wine vinegar-and-shallot mignonette sauce, Chablis is all you need to highlight the freshness of the oysters.

Muscadet

Oysters on the half shell are usually served with lemon wedges, intended to squeeze directly onto the oyster immediately before eating. Throw the lemon aside, and pick up a glass of Muscadet instead. Muscadet is a wine-producing region near the city of Nantes in the Loire Valley. Its prime location on the coast means that oysters are always at arms reach. Wines from this area are typically light-bodied and made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape variety. This wine is refreshingly high in acidity and displays flavors of lemon, lime, and fresh pear. Try Muscadet with freshly shucked oysters, being sure to leave behind the lemon wedge as the wine has enough acidity to elevate the flavor of the oyster, just like a lemon wedge would. If you are looking for more richness in the wine, look for a Muscadet that is labeled “Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie.” In addition to the fruit notes, this type of Muscadet has a creamy texture with yeasty notes that makes a great pairing with Pan-Fried Oysters. The high acidity in the wine makes it great for fried food, while the yeasty component plays nicely with crunchy breading on the oysters.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is grown widely throughout the world and takes on unique characteristics based on where it is grown. Try pairing Entre-Deux-Mers, a Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, known for its crisp and citrus-driven aromas and flavors, with freshly shucked oysters and sunshine. If you like to live life on the wild side, deviate from tradition and pair a zesty and herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand with Oysters and Soy Butter Sauce. The acid cuts through the butter while the soy sauce highlights the tropical fruit notes typical in a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

What other wine pairings do you love with oysters? Did we miss your favorite? Take to social media and let us know by tagging @DCanterwines on Instagram.