Buttermilk Fried Shrimp + Crémant Pairing

“Finishing food is about the tiny touches. In the last seconds you can change everything.” - Mario Batali

Shrimp is such a versatile protein, you can enjoy them steamed, grilled, or broiled. Yet, one of my favorite ways to enjoy shrimp is when it is fried with buttermilk! These bitesized treats, are perfect to enjoy solo, tossed in a salad, or piled high on a sandwich. I absolutely love pairing buttermilk fried shrimp with Crémant, a delicious sparkling wine.

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Buttermilk fried shrimp with spicy aioli.

Buttermilk fried shrimp with spicy aioli.

Buttermilk Fried Shrimp

These crispy buttermilk shrimp are marinated in lemon pepper, red pepper, and a pinch of sea salt for 24 hours. The flavor of these shellfish are so lovely, and the citrus and spicy notes pair wonderfully together.

When choosing a wine for this dish, you’ll want something light and refreshing. A crisp, fresh, and sparkling white wine would compliment these fried shrimp perfectly.

Williamsburg Winery, Crémant de Loire Wedmore Place

Williamsburg Winery, Crémant de Loire Wedmore Place

Crémant de Loire

Williamsburg Winery, located in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, VA has a hidden gem on their wine listing, a wonderful Crémant. It is simply lovely, and is served at their hotel, Wedmore Place. This wine is bottled and produced at Château de la Presle in France. I stumbled upon this delicious sparkling white wine during my bridal shower several years ago, and is a staple always kept in my home.

Not familiar with Crémant? Crémant de Loire is produced in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of Loire Valley.

The primary grapes traditionally used in this wine are:

  • Chenin Blanc,

  • Cabernet Franc, or

  • Pinot Noir

With Chenin Blanc more commonly used in this sparkling wine, you’ll taste the following primary notes:

  • Lemon

  • Quince

  • Pear

  • Honey

  • Chamomile

  • Bread or Toast

On the nose you’ll immediately find:

  • Hazelnut

  • Almonds

  • Vanilla

  • Liquore

This wine is so delicate, fresh, clean, and crisp, the perfect compliment to really any fried dish, but particularly buttermilk fried shrimp. I truly enjoy this pairing, and it’s one of my favorites to indulge in. You can pair Crémant with several other dishes like salmon, curry, and smoked trout.

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XO, Analise

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich + Lambrusco Pairing

“I like to cook with the philosophy of using great ingredients and not altering them too much.” - Aaron Sanchez

Buttermilk fried chicken is a classic, and truly one of my favorite things to make at home. It is rare I make one of my favorite dishes. Lately, I have been craving a buttermilk fried chicken thigh sandwich, and decided to create this dish at home.

Traditionally buttermilk fried chicken pairs wonderfully with Champagne, Crémant, or Prosecco - but today I’m switching it up, and pairing this meal with Lambrusco.

Not familiar with Lambrusco? I’m sharing all the details on this lovely wine below.

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Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

Fried chicken is truly a classic. Marinated boneless chicken thighs for 24 hours, in a special blend of herbs and spices was the key to making this protein perfect.

On the day of cooking, I put each chicken thigh into a bowl of buttermilk, ensuring the flavor sets in just right. This really helps tenderize the meat, and upon frying the chicken, it was able to get the perfect golden crispy crunch.

The sandwich was simple - a buttered potato bun, fresh arugula, avocado, garlic and herb mayo, with the crown jewel of course - a buttermilk fried chicken thigh.

Buttermilk fried chicken thigh sandwich with garlic herb mayo, avocado, and arugula on a buttered potato bun.

Buttermilk fried chicken thigh sandwich with garlic herb mayo, avocado, and arugula on a buttered potato bun.

Lambrusco

2018 Vigneto Saetti Rosso Viola

2018 Vigneto Saetti Rosso Viola

Lambrusco is an Italian red grape, and this is a sparkling wine. The region of this particular Lambrusco is Salamino di Santa Croce. They are typically lighter in color, semi-sparkling, and is either semi-sweet or dry style. Also, this varietal gets in name from its resemblance to sausage as a grape cluster - pretty cool, right?

All in all, Lambrusco is great to pair with a rich or fatty dish, as the acid and tannins of this wine really help balance one another.

Now, lets dive into this particular wine!

I picked up this bottle at my local bakery, Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry - a popular spot near my home in Virginia Beach, VA. It is rare that I’m able to find a lovely Lambrusco, so I jumped at the opportunity. Immediately I knew what I had to pair it with a fried chicken dish. The cool thing about this wine is that it is organic, and I’m always interested in trying these particular types of wines.

The notes on this wine are:

  • Red Fruit: cherry and cranberry

  • Earth: minerality and balsamic

  • Black Fruit: plum, black cherry, and blackberry

  • Malolactic: yeast and dairy

  • Spice: pepper, clove, anise, and cinnamon

Also, there are some subtle notes of apple and peach. Overall, for a price point of under $25, this wine is complex and overall very well done.

This wine would pair well with pork, salmon, tuna, cheese, cured meat, and of course chicken - particularly buttermilk fried chicken.

XO, Analise