Lobster Thermidor

White · Medium · Dry

The most-planted white grape and the most chameleon-like. Crisp and steely from Chablis; rich, oaky, and tropical from California. Read the label, then match the style to the dish.

Works with Lobster Thermidor · Seafood With Creamy Sauce (like Lobster Newberg/thermidor; Coquilles St. Jacques)

White · Medium · Off-dry

Same grape as Pinot Grigio, different attitude — the Alsatian style is richer, fuller, faintly honeyed, with the structure to handle pork, smoked fish, and Asian aromatics.

Works with Lobster Thermidor · Seafood With Creamy Sauce (like Lobster Newberg/thermidor; Coquilles St. Jacques)

White · Light · Dry

Citrus, cut grass, and a wire of acid. Marlborough makes it loudest; Sancerre makes it most refined. Either way, it cuts cleanly through goat cheese, herbs, and anything with shellfish.

Works with Lobster Thermidor · Seafood With Creamy Sauce (like Lobster Newberg/thermidor; Coquilles St. Jacques)

White · Medium · Dry

The most-planted white grape and the most chameleon-like. Crisp and steely from Chablis; rich, oaky, and tropical from California. Read the label, then match the style to the dish.

Sparkling · Light · Dry

Méthode champenoise from the most chalk-rich corner of France — fine bubbles, brioche, lemon zest, and a finish that goes on for half a minute. The wine for anything fried, salty, or special.

White · Medium · Dry

The most-planted white grape and the most chameleon-like. Crisp and steely from Chablis; rich, oaky, and tropical from California. Read the label, then match the style to the dish.

Burgundy's grandest white — golden, powerful, ageless Chardonnay from limestone slopes above Aloxe. A wine for special occasions and patient cellars.

Red · Medium · Dry

A medium-bodied red. Earthy, restrained, with a quiet structure that flatters most dinner-table foods.

Red · Medium · Dry

Gamay-based reds from southern Burgundy — light, fruity, food-friendly. The serious Cru bottlings (Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent) drink like Pinot Noir at half the price.

White · Medium · Dry

A medium-bodied white. Lemon, white flower, and a quietly mineral finish; pairs reliably with seafood.

Red · Light · Dry

Burgundy's most temperamental grape, but the rewards are real — translucent ruby with a perfumed lift of red cherry, forest floor, and clove. Silken tannins and bright acid make it the most versatile red on the table; serve cool, around 58°F.

White · Medium · Dry

A medium-bodied white. Light on the palate, easy to enjoy, and accommodating to most lighter dishes.