Which wines to drink with insects?

The Trendy World of Entomophagy: Perfect Wine Pairings for Eating Insects

No, this isn’t a hazing ritual or a Koh-Lanta remake, but rather an entomophagy aperitif, an event where, instead of the usual pistachios and peanuts, you snack on insects. Feeling queasy? That’s understandable. However, we recently braved it at the latest Food Morning organized by CB News, and we survived. In fact, eating insects is becoming quite trendy, and it might well evolve from a passing fad to a genuine dietary trend. So why not prepare yourself with the right wine pairings? Ready to give it a try?

With Crickets: A Lively and Fruity Wine

You’ve probably tasted sunflower seeds, also known as “pipas.” Crickets are quite similar in texture, salty and crunchy, you quickly get used to them and forget they’re insects. However, their flavor can be somewhat bland. Therefore, we recommend pairing them with a crisp, fruity white wine. Its acidity will cut through the salty flavor of the crickets, and its fruity character will add an extra aromatic touch. An Alsace Riesling or a Loire white wine, such as the Mademoiselle T from Château de Tracy, would be ideal. Additionally, this type of wine will mask the slightly “cardboard-like” texture of the cricket, making it perfect for your first insect-tasting experience!

The Perfect Pairing:

Riesling from Alsace or Mademoiselle T from Château de Tracy.

With Mealworms: A Rich and Round Wine

Another insect that Europeans are particularly fond of is mealworms. Don’t worry; in the culinary world, they bear little resemblance to the disgusting worms you might find in apples. Fun fact: mealworms are rich in protein and minerals and contain as much omega-3 as salmon (so they’re probably not bad for you!). When tasted, mealworms are surprisingly airy and slightly crunchy, with a flavor reminiscent of hazelnuts. To complement them, you don’t need to overthink it, just choose a robust, high-alcohol wine. We recommend a powerful Jura wine from Domaine Jacques Tissot. The Arbois la Mailloche from this domaine will beautifully enhance the fine layer of fat in the mealworm.

The Perfect Pairing:

Arbois la Mailloche from Domaine Jacques Tissot.

Now you’re all set to enjoy insect tasting. If the experience isn’t quite to your liking, you can always fall back on the wine to quickly forget this unusual dish. A luxury that Koh-Lanta contestants don’t get to enjoy!

FAQ - Wine and insects

Which wine goes with crickets at an aperitif?

A crisp, fruity white stands up to their salty, crunchy bite. An Alsace Riesling or a Loire Pouilly-Fume works nicely, the acidity balancing the texture of the insect.

What wine should I serve with mealworms?

These hazelnut-flavoured insects call for a broad wine with generous alcohol. A white from the Jura in the Arbois appellation matches their light fatty note without overpowering it.

Does red wine suit an entomophagy aperitif?

White stays more comfortable on these fine, salty morsels. A tannic red tends to dominate the pairing; keep it for roasted or smoked insects if you want to experiment.

At what temperature should these white wines be served?

Serve the crisp white with crickets at around 8 to 10 degrees to keep its tension. The richer Jura white shows better slightly less chilled, near 10 to 12 degrees.

Is eating insects with wine really a trend?

Entomophagy has been appearing on curious tables for a few years now, as an original aperitif. Pairing wine with it makes tasting friendlier and turns it into a shared moment.