I don’t know about you, but this Christmas our gifts are going to be all red, a distinctive orangey red - lobster red.

The retail price of Maine lobster is at a record low, five dollars a pound as I write this. Wow! This year it’s an affordable treat that will help make our holiday tables something to remember.

 A suggestion for your wine choice is to look for a good quality Sauvignon Blanc , especially a Sancerre, as the ideal match for steamed lobster with butter. The natural acidity in the wine will help cut the richness and the light fruit enhances the more delicate flavors of the lobster.

In fact, the qualities of most good French white wines complement the richness, salinity, flavor and texture of lobster , so they can be considered the best bet for a harmonious match. Try white Burgundys like Chablis, Pouilly Fuissé, Montrachet, Meursault or wines from the Loire region including Pouilly-Fumé  and Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, the very versatile dry Provençal rosés ,whites from the Rhône region and especially blanc or rosé Champagne. Although most of these are not inexpensive, you can allow for a better wine because the lobster is such a phenomenal bargain.

If you’re on a budget, ask your wine store for some recommendations. Chilean, as well as whites from the Languedoc region and non- appellation French white wines are pretty affordable.

California Chardonnay tends to be less subtle and may overwhelm the delicate flavor of the lobster , but if you can find an unoaked version, that may serve as another choice. If you serve your lobster in a cream sauce, the less oaky California Chardonnays should be okay.

Among the more adventurous wines to try would be Albariño or Txakolina from north western Spain, Grüner Veltliner from Austria , or Oregon Pinot Gris . These are some great off beat wines that have established followings, but seek out the better quality ones.

If your taste preference leans toward slightly sweet wines, a nice option would be a good quality  German or Alsatian Riesling.

The lobster industry contributes an estimated 300 million dollars annually to our State’s economy, so when demand for Maine lobster is down, it affects us all.

Celebrate in style and buy Maine lobster. You’ll also be supporting our hardworking neighbors in the lobster business to make their holidays something to remember. It’s well known that the best tasting lobster comes fresh out of the cold , clean Atlantic Ocean, so look for your closest lobster wharf and order up some live lobbies. Most will pack them for shipping as well, so you can mail them and surprise someone with a lobster in their stocking! 

Here is the website for the official Maine Lobster Promotion Council; you will find vendors that sell Maine lobster, ship lobster as well as recipes: http://www.lobsterfrommaine.com/dealercompare.aspx .

© text Black Sheep Wine and Beer Shop 2012

Photo credit: State of Maine , Morguefile.com, wikimedia commons, Bigfoto.com