Oyster Pairing - Ansonia Wines

Oysters are a common sight at French markets. Huitres are a natural pairing for wine, in both the gustatory and philosophical senses. Just like wine, they’re an expression of terroir (or merrior, if you like) whose character changes with their origin. And in matters gustatory, well, it’s a match made in heaven.

Oysters pair well with dry wines full of life and mineral character. Many of the best matches are wines that originate in calcium-rich soils that were once the bottom of a prehistoric ocean. (The below photo shows a rock of fossilized oysters we found in the Loire Valley.)

Below are some of our favorite pairings; and for those looking to dive in, we’ve created a new sampler. All 12+ bottle purchases (including the samplers) will include an Ansonia Wines oyster knife.

MUSCADET

Perhaps the simplest and most natural pairing. Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, Muscadet is grown just miles from France’s Atlantic coast, home to many great varieties of oyster. Muscadet is dry, round, easy, and beautifully stony.

CHABLIS

Grown in fossil rich soils, Chablis is pure, dry Chardonnay. The most classic examples use little or no oak, and pair masterfully with the vibrancy of oysters. This is Chardonnay at its most stripped down and honest.

CHAMPAGNE / CRÉMANT

Sparkling wines, particularly from the chalky soils of Champagne, pair beautifully with oysters. The bubbles deliver a bright freshness, which contrasts beautifully with the oysters smooth, thick texture.

SANCERRE

Located at the other end of the Loire Valley from Muscadet, Sancerre is pure Sauvignon blanc. The soils of Sancerre contain limestone, clay, and flint, which combine to give the wines a unique blend of minerality, smokiness, and fruit.