Beef is a versatile protein that can be prepared in endless ways, from grilled steaks to braised short ribs. With so many cuts and cooking methods, it can be tricky to choose the right wine to complement the beef’s richness and flavors. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about pairing wine with beef.
How To Choose A Wine For Beef
When pairing wine with beef, there are a few key factors to consider:
The Cut Of Beef
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Lean cuts like filet mignon have less fat and marbling. They need lighter bodied wines that won’t overwhelm the subtler beef flavors. Pinot noir, Chianti or Beaujolais work well.
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Fattier cuts like ribeye have more robust beefy flavors that can handle bolder, more tannic wines like cabernet sauvignon, syrah and malbec
Cooking Method
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Grilled or pan seared High heat caramelizes the proteins creating deeper, richer flavors Pair with medium to full-bodied wines
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Roasted or braised: Slow cooking tenderizes meat and creates mellow flavors. Pair with medium bodied wines.
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Stewed: Extended cooking produces very soft textures so lighter wines work best.
Preparation
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Spice rubs and herb crusts need wines with enough fruitiness and structure to not taste dull. Zinfandel, petite sirah, grenache all work well.
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Sauces like red wine reductions and béarnaise add layers of flavor, so bolder wines stand up best.
Side Dishes
Rich sides like buttered potatoes and root vegetables warrant medium to full-bodied wines Lighter sides like salad pair fine with lighter wines
Recommended Wine Styles With Beef
Bolder Reds
Full-flavored reds with firm tannins pair beautifully with fattier cuts of beef and stand up to intense seasonings.
- Cabernet Sauvignon – Blackberry, cassis, oak spices
- Merlot – Plum, black cherry, mocha
- Malbec – Dark fruit, vanilla, smoke
- Shiraz/Syrah – Blackberry, pepper, vanilla oak
- Zinfandel – Raspberry, black pepper, spice
Medium Reds
Lighter style reds work with leaner cuts of beef and milder preparations.
- Pinot Noir – Cherry, earth, spice
- Sangiovese – Cherry, herbs, acidity
- Grenache – Raspberry, white pepper, herbs
Fuller Whites
Barrel-aged whites have the richness to complement beef’s fattiness.
- Chardonnay – Buttery oak, apple, citrus
- Rhône whites (Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier) – Peach, honeysuckle, baking spices
Lighter Reds
Lower tannin reds pair well with simple preparations of tender cuts.
- Beaujolais – Strawberry, rose petal, minerality
- Barbera – Cherry, tobacco, savory herbs
Regional Wines To Try With Beef
These wines from renowned beef-producing regions are smart pairings with local cuisine.
Australia
Big, peppery Shiraz from Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale.
Argentina
Malbec from Mendoza with notes of dark fruit and baking spices.
Italy
Earthy Chianti Classico or fruity Barbera d’Asti.
France
Bordeaux reds based on Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
California
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or hearty Zinfandel.
Spain
Tempranillo-based reds like Rioja or Ribera del Duero.
Pairing Wine With Specific Beef Dishes
Using wine pairing principles, here are suggestions for popular beef preparations:
Filet Mignon
Lean cut, often served rare. Needs lighter wine like Pinot Noir, Sangiovese or Rosé.
Ribeye Steak
Heavily marbled. Calls for a bold Cabernet, Malbec or Shiraz.
Roast Prime Rib
Big, fatty cut. Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec or Syrah.
Beef Stew
Slow braised beef. Match with medium-bodied Merlot, Grenache or Cabernet Franc.
Beef Bourguignon
Braised in red wine sauce. Pair with Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc or Sangiovese.
Cheeseburgers
Garnish enhances flavor. Consider Zinfandel, Syrah or Malbec.
Beef Wellington
Pâté and pastry provide richness. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or oaked Chardonnay work nicely.
Beef Ragu With Pasta
Long simmered meat sauce. Sangiovese, Chianti Classico or Primitivo match well.
Beef Chili
Spicy and tomatoey. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah or unoaked Barbera pair nicely.
Beef Fajitas
Grilled with Mexican spices. Tempranillo, Malbec or fruity Sangiovese complement the flavors.
Tips For Serving Wine With Beef
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For aged, tannic reds like Barolo or Cabernet Sauvignon, decant 1-2 hours before serving.
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Chill red wines slightly (60-65°F) to soften tannins and allow fruity flavors to shine.
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If wine tastes overly tannic with beef, add a splash of water to soften tannins.
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With spicy dishes, avoid oaked wines which can accentuate heat.
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Pair the wine to the strongest flavor element in a complex dish.
With so many fantastic wines to choose from, beef makes for outstanding pairings. Follow these guidelines to select a wine that brings out the best in your beef dishes. Experiment with different styles to find your perfect match.
Can you drink white wine with beef?
Long considered a classic faux-pas, some white wines can actually pair really well with beef at the dining table.
Added to which, personal preference is always important.
‘Not everyone likes red wine – the bitterness of tannin doesn’t suit everyone,’ said Rubin. ‘That’s where barrel-aged [or] older, (and richer) white wines come in.
‘They work fantastically well with steak. White Burgundy (Chardonnay) is a classic example, but then southern hemisphere Viogniers and Semillons are perfect with a righteous rump, too.’
Choosing a wine to drink with roast beef
It’s hard to beat a delicious bottle of red wine with roast beef or hearty beef stew on a wintry afternoon, whether it’s Christmas Day or simply a relaxed Sunday lunch.
Classic fuller-bodied reds, such as Bordeaux blends led by Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the southern Rhône or Australian Shiraz, are often considered go-to wines that can match the flavour intensity of a roast beef dish.
Decanter’s Julie Sheppard recently praised the clean cassis fruit, spice and leathery tannins in this Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon from Wynns. ‘It’s a perfect winter warmer wine that will match with all manner of hearty meat dishes.’
A refreshing dose of acidity can work wonders, particularly if you also have a range of trimmings on the dinner table.
Leaner cuts, or beef served rare or pink, may not need such a bold style of wine.
South American wine expert Patricio Tapia, editor of the annual Guida Descorchados, previously recommended fresher styles of Malbec with steak.
For tannic wines built to last, such as top Barolo, several years of ageing in-bottle should help tannins to soften and integrate.
A delicious array of complex flavours can develop, backed by enduring fruit and acidity that bring vibrancy and energy.
All of this said, however, remember that food and wine pairing is highly subjective. Wine characteristics may also vary by producer and vintage, so a bit of research can also pay dividends.
Which Wines Go With Meat?
FAQ
What wine is best served with beef?
“Oaked Chardonnay, which can be made in a range of weights from a medium-bodied White Burgundy to an opulent, full-bodied example from California, is a …Jun 3, 2024
Do you drink red or white wine with beef?
Red wines typically pair well with red meat because meat stands up to the tannins, but you can substitute rich, full-bodied whites. White wines tend to have more acidity than reds, which can counterbalance rich foods and cut through heavy notes, especially when a dish is served with a sauce or in a stew.
Which wine is best for red meat?
Any variety, such as Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Red Zinfandel, will work. When cooking with wine, choose an inexpensive bottle that’s still enjoyable to drink. Avoid supermarket “cooking wines,” which often contain salt and additives.
What do you drink with beef?
Classic fuller-bodied reds, such as Bordeaux blends led by Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the southern Rhône or Australian Shiraz, are …Nov 20, 2024
What wine goes with beef This Christmas?
Whether fillet steak or a delicious roast is on the menu, read advice on pairing wine with beef this Christmas – and see wines recently reviewed by Decanter experts. It’s hard to beat a delicious bottle of red wine with roast beef or hearty beef stew on a wintry afternoon, whether it’s Christmas Day or simply a relaxed Sunday lunch.
What wine goes well with beef?
Long considered a classic faux-pas, some white wines can actually pair really well with beef at the dining table. Added to which, personal preference is always important. ‘Not everyone likes red wine – the bitterness of tannin doesn’t suit everyone,’ said Rubin. ‘That’s where barrel-aged [or] older, (and richer) white wines come in.
Does white wine go with beef?
Here’s an argument for pairing white wine with beef, including the best white wine for filet mignon, beef carpaccio, rib eye, and more.
What wine goes well with beef charcuterie?
They’re also delicious with dishes containing mushrooms, beef charcuterie, and simple Italian-inspired beef dishes. Medium weight and savoury reds like Merlot and blends, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and cool climate Shiraz make a marvellous pairing with pot roasted beef or osso bucco.
What wine goes with steak?
“Oaked Chardonnay, which can be made in a range of weights from a medium-bodied White Burgundy to an opulent, full-bodied example from California, is a perfect variety to pair with steak, suitable for any cut,” he says. The moral here seems pretty straightforward: Break the rules when it comes to enjoying wine with beef.
Is beef good for wine?
One of the wonderful things about winter is savouring slow-cooked, hearty meals. Full-flavoured and nourishing, beef is a great feature ingredient for these types of dishes, and for wine lovers, there’s a great range of wines to choose from, based on things like sauces, spices, and cooking techniques. WHAT WINES PAIR WITH BEEF?