Seafood Sommelier: Pennsylvania White Wines

Like most of us, you’ve probably wondered about the “right” wine to choose for a special dinner. Treats like fresh grilled trout might even provoke some extra questions: so much care goes into catching them, you want everything surrounding the fish to add up to a big “wow.” We’ve paired up with the experts at Pennsylvania Wines to make some recommendations not just for trout, but also for other seafood favorites.

Chardonnay  &  Trout
Crisp, citrusy Chardonnay is the perfect compliment to the fresh flavor and tender white flesh of trout. Just add a hard sear for crispy skin and a double pour for your friends to make the quintessential seafood meal.

Chardonnay in PA
Chardonnay was born in Burgundy, the iconic French wine region, and migrated to the East Coast to be grown commercially in the 1950s. It has become popular in Pennsylvania due to its adaptability and success in cooler climates, producing a flavor profile popping with citrus, apple, and earthy mushroom aromas specific to the region.

We think we’ll pair our Chardonnay with our Pan-Sautéed Trout with Polenta and Wild Mushrooms .

Riesling & Oysters 
At your next shellfish feast, pair a bright, sparkling Riesling with some freshly shucked oysters for a mix of bubbly and salty flavors. 

Pennsylvania Riesling 
Riesling in made in some of Pennsylvania’s most popular wine regions, like Erie and northeastern PA, and is considered a chameleon. Its flavor profile shifts depending on the terroir, and the resulting wines can be made in a wide range of styles, from sweet to semi-sweet, to off-dry, to dry, to sparkling, to dessert. The one constant is high acidity.

Grüner Veltliner  &  Tuna
Pairing a Grüner with a pounded tuna carpaccio is only natural. The citrus notes of the Grüner elevate the taste of the lemon-seasoned tuna, making for a light and zesty summer meal.

Grüner in the Keystone State 
Grüner Veltliner, a dry, bright white wine, is Austria’s signature grape and has become popular in the New World, especially in colder Northeastern U.S. climates where the grape thrives. Grüner can also be enjoyed young, creating a smoother, more aromatic wine. 

Albariño & Shrimp 
Lemon seasoned shrimp is the perfect match with the bright, botanical taste of an Albariño wine— 
a dry white with complimentary aromas of citrus and peach. 

Local Albariño
Albariño is a white grape, made famous by wines produced in Galicia, Spain— a cool, rainy region with a climate similar to areas of Pennsylvania. The grape is becoming increasingly popular with wineries across the Commonwealth for its versatility, as well as its trademark acidity and bold botanical aromas. 

This article was developed in partnership with PA Wines