Wine Peeps is an independent wine blog dedicated to helping you get the most bang for your buck in wine. We do this through blind tastings of wine from around the world and calculations of 
Challenging Wine Pairing: Seafood Crepes
By LaGayle ~ August 10th, 2011.
Crepes, which originated in France, serve a variety of purposes. While many people may think of these thin pancakes for sweet dishes, they are just as popular for savory recipes.
Here in Seattle, the weather has not been as warm as it usually is at this time of year. Nevertheless, it is summertime so I wanted to have a summer menu for this month’s challenging wine pairing, no matter the temperature. We enjoyed a marinated beet salad, seafood crepes, and steamed mixed vegetables. The seafood crepes were filled with crabmeat, baby shrimp, light cream, cream cheese, green chilies, green onions, white wine, and soy sauce. When served, they were garnished with additional green onions and avocado slices. The seafood crepes were a hit with our family! If you like seafood, I highly recommend them.
After referring to my favorite guide for pairing food and wine, What to Drink with What You Eat by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page, we decided to go with an Alsatian Pinot Blanc and a New Zealand Pinot Noir. We selected the 2008 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Blanc from Alsace, France, and the 2008 Nautilus Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand. We enjoyed both wines very much; however, the consensus favorite prior to the meal and paired with the food was the Pinot Blanc.
We’d love for you to share in the comments what you would have paired with this meal. And, as always, we welcome your suggestions for challenging wine pairings for us to try in the future.
Bon Appétit!
2008 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Blanc (Alsace, France): Medium yellow-gold. Aromatic with pear, honey, and mineral notes on the nose. Pear, lemon, tart apple, and minerality come through on the palate. Dry and medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Well-balanced with a long finish. A wonderful food wine.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: The Olde Wine Store (Mercer Island, Washington), $22; Available elsewhere, $17 to $26
2008 Nautilus Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand): Medium-deep ruby red. Nice nose with strawberry, raspberry, and earthy aromas. More strawberry and raspberry as well as smoke and dust come through on the palate. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity, medium tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Esquin Wine Merchants (Seattle, Washington), $24.99; Available elsewhere, $20 to $25
Filed under: Challenging Wine Pairing, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Food & Wine, French Wine, New Zealand Wine, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, White Wine, Wines Under $25
The Alsatian pinot blanc is a great choice! If I could not leave the state of Washington I would try the Treveri Cellars Sparkling Guertztraminer or Sparkling Riesling. The bubbles and acid would handle the richness of the crepes and the slight sweetness would balance the bit of heat.
I would try Hard Row to Hoe 2010 Marsanne. Not too sweet or fruity, rather soft and rich, and very compatible with a cheesy-based seafood crepe. A wine that is going to enhance the richness of the dish, and not cut through it.
Vivian,
Thanks for the recommendations. Sparkling wines are great with so many different foods. I love bubbly!
Judy,
Excellent suggestion. We’ll have to try your Marsanne with the crepes next time.
Cheers!
Thanks Kori, I love the discussions on food and wine pairings. I am still trying to find the right wine to go with fresh garden tomatoes. Any ideas?
Judy,
For pairing with fresh garden tomatoes, you’ll want a wine with good acidity to cancel out the acid in the tomatoes so that the other flavors come forward. Some possibilities: Sauvignon Blanc, dry Riesling, dry Gewurztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, or a Rosé. Cheers!