Costas Inn

How to Pair Wine with Your Crab Cakes

Find the perfect pairing to wine and dine on delicious crab cakes.

There are not many foods as particular to a state as crab cake is to Maryland. Perfect for any meal, the crab cake is an incredibly versatile food. With its crispy exterior and moist, savory interior, the crab cake pairs well with everything from a local beer, a mocktail, and especially wine. At Costas Inn, we’re happy to help you find the perfect pairing for your next crab cake dinner; today we’ll share some of our favorites. 

Sangiovese 

It’s not often that you’ll find a red paired with fish. Usually, red wines have a bold palate that can overwhelm delicate flavors like fish and chicken, but a Sangiovese red is light enough to pair well. These light wines have fruity undertones and are often blended with cabernet for an herbal finish. 

Sparkling Wines 

Avoid the Moscato and opt for a prosecco or brut for a delicious, palate-cleansing option that’s sure to please. Crisp and dry sparkling wines help clear the palate with each bite making it a perfect fit for a fried crab cake. 

Chardonnay 

As a classic option for pairing with a crabcake, Chardonnay can be a perfect match or completely overwhelming. As a rich wine, Chardonnay is considered to be sweet and oaky and can have an intensely buttery flavor. Due to this buttery flavor, it’s not the best pairing for a fried crab cake, but it still works well for other preparations.

Riesling  

As a sweet and low alcohol wine, riesling is the perfect match for a crab cake with some heat. If you’ll be serving with hot sauce or have used a Louisiana style recipe, a riesling is a perfect counter to the higher heat levels. 

Sauvignon Blanc

If you’re looking for a crab cake and wine pairing in a restaurant, you’re likely to come across this delicious wine. As a crisp and acidic option without too much sweetness, it’s the perfect match for a crispy fried crab cake. 

YOUR SEAFOOD DESTINATION

Costas Inn has been a Baltimore tradition since 1971. You may recognize our restaurant, which was recently featured on the Food Network with Michael Symon on Burgers, Brew, and ‘Que! We were also voted the 2015 #1 Baltimore Seafood Restaurant by USA Today, as well as #1 Crab Restaurant 2014 in the Baltimore Business Journal. You may have also spotted Costas Inn during one of our 9 appearances on the Today Show or heard one of our many interviews on WJZ TV Channel 13 with Ron Matz and Marty Bass.

You can enjoy our famous crab cakes in-house or order them online for any time eating. We also provide some of the best seafood catering in the Baltimore area! You can also get your fill from Costas even when you’re not in our dining room: follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube!