White Wine Pairings

Pairing: 2008 Domaine La Haute Févrie Sur Lie Muscadet Sèvre et Maine

The perfect match for this creamy cavatelli-and-mussels dish: Muscadet, a coastal wine that's superb with shellfish.

Pairing: 2009 Semeli Mountain Sun White

Mostly Moschofilero, blended with 15 percent Roditis, this handharvested, stainless steel–fermented white pleases with melon, mineral and citrus flavors. A relatively low level of alcohol—11.5 percent—makes it particularly refreshing.

Pairing: 2009 Salneval Albariño

It's not uncommon in Galicia to have a meal that consists of lots of different shellfish, bread and nothing else. Encarna Méndez of Do Ferreiro winery prepares clams the fisherman's way: steamed in Albariño with onion and garlic.

Pairing: 2008 Rocca Sveva Soave Classico

Delicate aromas of acacia flower and lemon icing precede a clean, light-bodied palate full of slightly sweet citrus flavors in this charming quaffer.

Pairing: 2009 Colombelle Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne

Made from Colombard and Ugni Blanc, the two most common grapes in Cognac, Colombelle is an interesting and refreshing white, with tasty pear flavors and bright acidity. It's also a great value.

Pairing: 2007 AutoMoto Riesling

From California's cool Central Coast comes this easy-drinking Riesling; crafted in a rich style, it offers flavors of peach, tangerine and lemonade accented by minerals.

Pairing: 2008 GV Grüner Veltliner

This wonderful bargain (a full liter for less than $15) is lightbodied and quaffable, with juicy green and yellow apple flavors, notes of bread and minerals and zesty acidity.