Scallops: they’re like delicious little pats of butter from the sea.
Florida’s bay scalloping season runs from June through the end of September each year (check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s breakdown of season dates by specific region, as well as daily bag limits here). It’s a time for tourists and locals alike to have fun combing through seagrass for these tasty little mollusks that move surprisingly fast, despite having neither legs nor fins.
For many, the greatest joy of scallop season comes when they’ve taken their plunders back to the homestead or AirBnB for cleaning and cooking. They’re irresistible when pan-seared in garlic and lemon butter, but that’s just one way to prepare a stellar plate of scallops.
The real challenge comes when deciding which wine to pair with these nuggets of deliciousness. Fear not, brave scalloper. Keep reading for the best wine to pair with scallops, expert-recommended bottles and wine cocktails to try after a day on the water.
Scallops are a mild, sweet and elegantly delicate treat from the ocean. When selecting an ideal wine pairing, it’s important to select a wine that mimics scallops’ clean, lightly briny flavor profile without overpowering it. Choose a wine too subtle and you won’t experience the depth of flavor that scallops have to offer, but go too punchy and you won’t get to fully appreciate scallops’ soft flavors and custard-like mouthfeel.
Luckily, one wine meets those specifications to a tee, and it’s likely one you already know and love: sauvignon blanc.
Sauvignon blanc is a beloved food pairing wine for its crisp acidity, zesty flavor and refreshing finish. Its food-friendliness certainly extends to scallops, which play nicely with sauvignon blanc’s gentle salinity and minerality.
Now that you know the reason why sauvignon blanc and scallops are a match made in heaven, are you wondering what’s the best bottle of sauvignon blanc to pair with scallops this scalloping season?
Choosing one would be like choosing a favorite child, but any one of the expert-recommended bottles featured below would do your hard-won scallops justice.
Sauvignon blanc is a stunning wine on its own, but its clean, zesty flavor profile also makes it easy as Key Lime Pie to mix into cocktails. If you prefer a mixed drink to a straight glass of wine, give one of these sauvignon blanc cocktails a try the next time fresh scallops are on the menu.
The bright citrus and mineral notes in this summery spritz complement freshly caught scallops’ flavor without overpowering their delicate sweetness. It's a refreshing, low-ABV cocktail that's ideal for dockside sipping.
The Recipe
4 ounces Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc
1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
2 ounces club soda
Grapefruit wedge
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add sauvignon blanc and grapefruit juice. Top with club soda and gently stir. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
This cooler’s crisp cucumber and citrus notes highlight the fresh, oceanic flavors of scallops, while the wine's bright acidity keeps the pairing clean and refreshing. A day on the water in the Florida sun can suck the energy out of you; this cocktail will revive you long enough to enjoy the fruits of your labors before hitting the hay.
The Recipe
5 ounces Octopoda Sauvignon Blanc
1 ounce cucumber juice or muddled cucumber
½ ounce fresh lime juice
Cucumber ribbon
Combine wine, cucumber and lime juice over ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a cucumber ribbon.
Here’s a make-ahead batch cocktail that can be thrown (well, gently placed) in the cooler before hitting the water for the day. Just add a little sparkling water to each glass before serving, and voila! Tropically delicious cocktails for everyone on the boat in seconds.
The Recipe
1 bottle Sand Point Sauvignon Blanc
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 cup pineapple chunks
½ cup sparkling water
Combine wine and fruit in a pitcher and chill for at least two hours. Add sparkling water to individual glasses just before serving.
Shop the expert-recommended sauvignon blancs featured in this article and other scalloping season favorites in-store or online at abcfws.com while supplies last!
