February 03, 2023 by Arden Montgomery

Best Wine Pairings for Caviar

Saint Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. And whether you’re celebrating one-on-one, having a group experience, or treating yourself to some well-deserved alone time, this holiday is the perfect excuse to splurge a little on a few special dainties. 

Caviar is synonymous with luxury – not least of all because of the price tag – and such richness rarely stands alone. Whatever substrate you use to consume your caviar, an accompanying glass of wine is simply a must. But how do you know which bottle to reach for? Let’s talk about it. 

How to pair wine with caviar

Caviar – the roe of a variety of fish species – is somewhat of a paradox in terms of its flavor profile. Quality caviar is rich but delicate, powerful but complex, and as a result pinning down the right wine to marry it with can feel tricky at first. 

High tannin reds can overwhelm the subtler flavors in caviar and may clash with the briney oeuvre offered by the fish eggs. Very sweet wines of any color can balance out a salt-forward variety, but if you’re reaching for top-shelf caviar, you want to steer clear of anything dessert or fortified. 

As a rule of thumb, you want to reach for drier white wines with generous acidity to create a balanced experience that doesn’t pit the beverage and the edible against one another. Oaked Chardonnays rarely go amiss when caviar’s on the table. And of course, brut or extra-brut Champagnes provide an iconic pair to this salty treat. If you’re feeling adventurous, a pink bubbly offers an intriguing fruit-forward match and wild textural experience all-round.

These are what the sommeliers have to say. But of course, the most important thing to consider is whether or not you like the wine you’re drinking. If you have a favorite bottle you’re committed to, cheers to you! If you wanna know what we think, here are a few bottles from the Argaux collection we’ll be breaking out for our fishy fare. 

Best wine pairings for caviar

 

  • 2020 Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Chardonnay – $38
    This is a fresh and fruity Chard from the plucky Oregon vineyards which are fast becoming iconic on the viticultural map. Citrusy, bright, a contemporary classic, this bottle promises to shimmer with the light of a Hundred Suns next to your caviar can this V-day.
  • 2012 Vilmart & Cie Champagne 1er Cru ‘Coeur de Cuvee’ Brut – $175
    Absolute luxury in a bottle. The flavor profile is silky in its refinement, with notes of lime flowers and spices to add a little intrigue to your roe. Offering a serious punch of salinity, she’s no lay-down however, and will prove more than a match to whatever other salty thing you’ve invited to play.
  • 2021 Scribe Carneros Pinot Noir – $52
    If you want a red, it’s gotta be a Pinot. And California Pinots especially are famous for their smooth, smooth tannins and exquisite balance of fruity sweetness and earthy depth. If you’re big into finding umami in unusual places, a spoonful of caviar and this crunchy rouge will help you get there.
  • 2020 Crazy Creatures Kremstal Gruner Veltliner – $24
    Traditionally one would squeeze a generous supply of lemon juice or other tart and acidic fruit over their caviar before consuming. And we recommend you continue the practice, however this weird, citrusy animal almost (almost) does the job for you. It’s savory, herbaceous, and absolutely deserves a seat at your table.
  • 2017 Ultramarine Heintz Vineyard Sparkling Rosé – $235
    Wildly food-friendly, this bottle of opulent pink bubbles will welcome caviar with open arms. A delightful Pinot/Chardonnay blend, the sweet-tart-fruity oeuvre will sing the praises of your roe’s more delicate notes, matching the complexity of a really good caviar with its own depth and vibrancy.
  • 2015 Delavenne Père & Fils Brut Millésimé Grand Cru Champagne – $85
    One of our favorites. We wouldn’t be surprised to learn they pick the grapes for this Champ individually with gold-plated tongs. If you have it, now would be the time to break out your grandmother’s gold-plated caviar spoon. If not, you lose nothing from this gorgeous bottle of bubbles. 

Further wine offerings from Argaux that pair well with caviar

If nothing in the above list quite caught your attention, no worries! Argaux has a huge range of seafood-friendly bottles to choose from that are sure to please any palate and any brand of caviar or other sumptuous feast item. 

If you’ve got very specific tastes, reach out and our team of pro somms can make a suggestion just for you. 

Or, if you’re looking for a complete wine and caviar gift set, order your ROE Caviar x Argaux Champagne Pairing for an elevated at-home date night, or save it for a rainy day – There are no rules for when and where to enjoy this delectable pairing!

Cheers, and happy V-Day!

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