Zinfandel & Ribeye Steak Pairing
When pairing Zinfandel with Ribeye Steak, Id recommend a full-bodied, fruit-bomb Zinfandel that is high in alcohol. These huge, Monster Truck wines in a bottle are bursting with ripe fruit flavours of blackberry, black cherry, plum and raspberry that offer a refreshing contrast against the Ribeyes robust meat flavours. Meanwhile, the black pepper, spice and smoky flavours add even more enjoyment to this pairing.
Wine Pairing The Best Selections For Your Favorite Cuts Of Meat
When it comes to pleasing the palate, there arent many culinary combinations that can top a good glass of wine with a delicious steak. Choosing the best wine to go with the right cut of beef isnt as simple as picking out something red or white. You might be comfortable taking a restaurant servers suggestion when youre out for a nice meal, but what about when youre at home preparing dinner for your family? Sometimes the choices can be overwhelming, or we feel we just dont know enough about meat or wine to make a confident decision that will enhance the dining experience.
One of the reasons that red wine pairs so effortlessly with steak is because the tannins in the red wine help enhance the beef flavor. Steak, in turn, can make wine taste better too: The fat in the meat brings out the fruit flavors in the wine. While red wine is a classic choice for steak, the acid in white wine produces a similar effect on beef that the tannins in the red wine do. Since whites are generally served best chilled, they provide a great contrast to a hot sizzling steak.
So which wines are best with which cuts of steak? Fear not, we have some suggestions that will make you look and feel like an expert the next time you are planning a steak dinner at home that rivals the highest quality steakhouses.
Choosing The Best Wine Pairing
Despite all the prescriptive guidance available about pairing, its not an exact science. Its more of an interpretive art where creativity, fun, and pleasure should be your guide. Here is a set of non-rules to consider when pairing wines with food:
- There arent any hard and fast rules that always work
- Acidic wines cleanse fat from the palate
- Tannins are tamed by protein
- Spicy food is moderated by sweet wine
- Salty food pairs with acidic and tannic wines
- Pairings can be fun: try pairing like with like, or try contrasting flavors for a zanier approach
*Use our handy dandy filter to sort by Paso Robles wine types
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Sadie Family Wines 2018 Columella Swartland South Africa
Aficionados of South Africa have certainly heard of Eben Sadie and his highly acclaimed wines, and this blend of six grapes including Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache does not disappoint.
Eben lets this wine rest on the lees for one year in French oak barrels and then transfers it to large oval casks for an additional year of ageing. The wine is then bottled without fining nor filtration. It is big and bold in the nose with ripe fruit aromas and well balanced on the palate with smooth and silky tannins.
Best Red Wine For Steak
Most of the wines that will fit the description above are going to be red. Heres a simple mnemonic, red meat goes with red wine. And here are the top red picks:
Cabernet is the most popular wine for a reason. Cabernets have a relatively balanced flavor profile and tend to have the acid and bitterness to cut through even the meatiest of meats.
Cabernet Sauvignon is your get out of jail free card if youre trying to pair a wine with your steak. Its available everywhere and it comes in a variety of price levels so you can be as fancy as you like with your steak dinner. If you need a recommendation, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons are among the best in the world.
Zinfandel is a more specific choice and it shows youve got a plan going into this pairing. And thats because Zinfandel has moderate bitterness and acidity, and more fruity notes. But that doesnt make it a poor choice.
The bitterness in Zinfandel is just right to wash away some of the meaty flavors of a New York strip steak or ribeye without competing too hard for your attention. The dark fruit flavors are also an excellent complement for a medium done steak without excessive fat content. Zinfandels are primarily made in California, and a Cali Zin is exactly what we recommend.
The one caveat about Malbec is that it may be too bold and full-bodied for some steaks. While there are great Malbecs to be found from California and France, Argentine Malbecs are typically regarded as the best.
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The Best Type Of Wine To Pair With Your Steak
The way wine is paired with steak is determined by the type of steak to be served. Dark beers such as a Porter or a Dark Sauv are ideal for a more robust beer such as a Ribeye or Hanger Steak. You can also make a lager or Pilsner if you want a less robust side dish. Cabernet Sauvignon is the best wine for New York strip steaks because of its juicy black fruit flavors, which contrast well with the meatiness of the cut.
Three Rules To Follow When Combining Beef And Red Wine
Want to enjoy the maximum flavour benefits and health benefits that pairing red wine and beef offer? Key things youll want to consider are the cut of meat youre using, how youre preparing it and what sauces or other flavours may be present. Theres a wine to suit every dish.
Follow these general rules to help you decide.
Pair bold dishes with bold wines
If youre cooking a steak or some other beef dish thats dominated by strong, bold flavours, the key is to pair it with a bold wine to match.
A nice, robust cabernet sauvignon is a great choice for most steaks, while zinfandel is also ideal, with its high acidity and moderate tannins making it particularly ideal with relatively fatty steaks such as rib eye, T-bone or porterhouse. Malbec is another winning choice, with its big, bold flavour and high in tannins.
Pair simpler fare with lighter wines
If youre cooking a beef dish using leaner, less flavourful cuts, be sure to opt for a lighter red wine so you dont run the risk of it overpowering your fare.
Syrah is a lovely full-bodied red with punchy flavours that taper off, worth trying. Merlot is also great for a more complex red wine thats low in tannins, and so easier to drink than some other reds. And pinot noir is a lovely, light-bodied red ideal with a range of dishes, including beef bourguignon.
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Creating A Flavor Story
The key to creating a beautiful flavor story for your meal is to experiment, mix and match, and try combinations that you love. So think about what youve learned above and if all this talk of wine and steak has got you drooling for a filet and a glass of red, contact our restaurant near you, and make a reservation today.
A List Of The Best Reds With Mouthwatering Steak
Theres nothing so deliciously decadent as a hearty steak accompanied by a glass of your favorite wine. From flame-kissed sirloin tips to succulent ribeye, each cut deserves a unique wine companion to bring out the best flavors and textures. The old adage of red meat with red wine can work in a pinch, but you may be surprised by how the subtle nuances of steak and wine flavors bring out the best in each other when properly matched. Make your next dinner party one for the books with these handy tips on wine pairing with steak.
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Experiment With Different Wines And Cuts
Who cares if you prefer a merlot over a cabernet with a certain cut of steak if it is what tastes best for you? Experiment with different cuts of meat, and you will eventually find that harmonious pairing of meat and wine that will stay with you forever.
If youre just getting started with wine pairing, then we say your best bet is to keep it simple with a fattier piece of meat and a red wine. From there, follow your taste buds to find the exact pairing that speaks to you.
Pairing Wine With Steak
Pairing wine with your Chriss steak, here are a few suggestions:
So now that you decided on which optimally aged, hand trimmed, mouthwatering, juicy steak youre going to have. Now comes the decision of what wine to pair it with. Fortunately, youre at Chriss Steakhouse, the place that has the best wine list in Fayetteville.
Here are some wine recommendations to pair your steak with:
Ribeye. A good wine to pair with a Delicious Ribeye steak is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa or Bordeaux.NY Strip. A classic elegant Merlot or a Merlot dominated blend from Bordeaux.
Top Sirloin. A Tender Top Sirloin should be balanced with a wine that is full bodied and has firm tannins. A nice Cabernet Sauvignon is a great choice.
Filet Mignon. A nice dry red wine like a Merlot or a Cabernet Sauvignon or a wine made from the Sangiovese grape from the Tuscany Region of Italy. If its a special occasion or you just want to go all out, try a nice Brunello di Montalcino Riserva.
Prime Rib. A nice bottle of Ruffino, this mineral-rich wine will pair well with your Prime Rib. Or you can try pairing it with an elegant Napa Valley Cabernet.
T-Bone. T- Bones pair well with a dry red wine with berry flavors and a hint of spices such as clove or pepper notes. Try a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or a Rioja wine.
Now you have the perfect steak cooked just the way to like it, paired with the right wine. Enjoy a taste of heaven! Bon Appetit!
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Benziger Family Winery 2018 De Coelo Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
This is a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir that will pair perfectly with filet mignon. After harvest the grapes were cold soaked in open top fermenters for five days to extract maximum flavor, color and tannin. It was then allowed to go through malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels for 10 months, resulting in creamy mouthfeel and voluptuous texture. There are juicy flavors of black cherry, red plum, and cranberry on the palate and a light touch of bright pomegranate in the finish. Only 470 cases were made in 2018.
What Wine Goes Best With Ribeye Steaks
Ribeye is the juiciest, most flavorful cut of steak. As the name implies, it comes from the rib region. Generally, ribeyes pair well with full-bodied, unabashedly intense wines. Many chefs and sommeliers recommend pairing a California zinfandel with ribeye for one of the best wine with steak pairings.
Zinfandels characteristically bold spiciness and high acidity make it a fitting match for a ribeye. A cabernet sauvignon is another great choice, as the high tannins help cut through the juiciness and fattiness of the steak.
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Best wine with ribeye: Zinfandel
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Now that you have a better idea of how to pair the best wine with steak, its time to try your hand at different combinations and preparation methods. Enjoying fine dining is about finding your personal preferences and favorite flavor profiles. The only way to discover the best wine to pair with steak is to experiment!
For even more insight into pairing the best wine with steak, check out other gourmet experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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How To Cut It: Do You Want A Wine With Ribeye Steak Or Fillet
The easiest way to pair wine with beef is to think about matching the flavour intensity of your wine with your beef, said Mark Quick, wine director for Hawksmoor steakhouse restaurants, in this in-depth article on pairing wine with beef.
Consider the fat content in your meat, for example. More fat equals more intense beefy flavour, said Quick, speaking to in December 2020.
In her 2007 article on pairing different cuts, Beckett said a ribeye steak with relatively high fat content worked well with a Côte-Rôtie from the Syrah stronghold of the northern Rhône, and also a Super Tuscan both generous, ripe and full-bodied.
She also recommended riper, more fruit-driven styles of red for steak cooked well-done.
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Best Wine Pairings For Steak
Nothing compares to the taste of a freshly grilled steak. Likewise, you really cant beat the taste of a great, high-quality glass of wine. When you put these two together, you have a match made in heaven. But dont choose just any wine for your steak this could result in a combination that doesnt taste very pleasing. Its best to choose wines that experts have determined to be a perfect pairing for steak dishes. Here are some top choices.
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More Options For Red Wine With Steak
Id urge people to look beyond the traditional matches of Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon with steak, Peter Richards MW told in 2018.
How about a nice lively Cabernet Franc? Or may even a Carignan, Cinsault or cool-climate Syrah? Even a full-bodied but elegant rosé can work well on a warm day, said Richards, who is DWWA regional chair for Chile and chairman of Decanter Retailer Awards.
He said he enjoyed red wines that have body and texture but that could also refresh the palate during a steak dinner. The risk with steak is to think big meaty flavours = big wine.
What Wine Pairs With Steak
There are many wines that pair with steak, but sweeter red wine types tend to be the best fit. Most red wines offer fruity aromas and tastes that bring out the savory, spiced, and herby elements of steak. They also span the breadth of tannin characteristics, offering you light or strong dryness depending on the recipe youâre making.
Steak is a dish that often has as diverse an ingredient list as the wines that go with it. As such, itâs important to understand which flavors complement each other and what the right red wine serving temperature is. Since steak is already a substantial meal, you donât want to choose a wine that will overwhelm your palate with too many rich flavors.
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel are some of the most popular choices to pair with steak. Each of these wines embodies various red and black fruits, ranging from the sweetness of strawberries to the tangy, woodsiness of currants and cherries.
Whether youâre learning how to become a sommelier, or perhaps youâve been on bar staff for a long time, keeping track of wine bottles isnât easy. Manual bar inventory management can only get you so far before paperwork piles up and youâre looking for a simpler solution.
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Basic Rules For Pairing Steak And Wine
When looking for the best wine to pair with your steak, you have to consider the type of steak and the seasoning, sauce, and side dishes you serve with it. Follow these rules to get a better idea of the wine that matches your steak best:
- Red meat goes with red wine. That is true for beef cuts like steaks, too.
- The fattier a steak is, the more body needs the wine to stand it. So fatty steaks go with full-bodied wines, and lean steaks go with light-bodied wines.
- Acidic wines help clean your palate after a bite. Especially for fatty steaks, these wines are the right choice.
- Very tender steaks can be great with white wines. They shouldnt be too light, though. Go for a full-bodied white, preferably from the New World.
- High-tannin wines are the right pairings for bloody preparations. If you prefer your steaks medium to well-done, low-tannin wines are better.
- In case you like your steak charred, you need a ripe wine with some sweetness. Go for a New World wine instead of one from the Old World.
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With these rules in mind, finding the right wine for your steak is much easier. Nevertheless, lets discuss some specific wine pairings for the most popular cuts of steak.
Best Wine With Ribeye Steak
There are many different types of wine that can be paired with a ribeye steak. Some of the most popular choices include cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and pinot noir. However, the best wine to pair with a ribeye steak is ultimately up to the individuals personal preference.
If the steak is spicy, use wines with a higher level of tannins to cut through the spice. Id like to help you out with the wine selection, which can be difficult but rewarding. This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to prepare the perfect steak and wine combination. If the tannin in the Cabernet Sauvignon is soft, aged Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent match for steak. When it explodes with candied fruits, spice, and a tobacco-like smoky finish, Zinfandel explodes. Ripening fruit flavors such as blackberry, black cherry, plum, and raspberry are plentiful in these Monster Truck wines. As another crowd-pleaser, Shiraz adds a pleasant balance of fruity blackberry and toasty vanilla flavors to your ribeye steak, providing a pleasant savory and grilled flavor combination.
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The Absolute Best Wines To Pair With Steak
In many ways, there are few pairings that are more satisfying than steak with wine.
And although there might be white wine options champagne with carpaccio or an aged oaked white Rioja with a seared filet might fit nicely to really match the weight, body, and intensity of red meat, a red wine is usually the most harmonizing choice. “Proteins and fat in steak love and soften the tannins and acidity in big reds, having complementing richness,” Richard Vayda, Director of Wine & Beverage Studies at the Institute of Culinary Education, told Tasting Table.
However, with steak and red wine, it is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. “Consider first the cut and quality of the meat. Is it a fatty steak like rib eye, a leaner filet, or a lower fat round? Then, the various qualities available rich marbled Wagyu or prime, sparer select or grass-fed? Has it been treated to the simpler wet-aging or given more complexity with dry-aging? How does the method of cooking affect the dish? Sautéed, pan-seared, broiled or grilled? Have there been any other flavors added? Cooking with fragrant wood, a rub, marinade or a sauce?” said Vayda. So many variables to consider!
But not to fret. Although you should drink the wine you like, with all the myriad of variations that steak dishes potentially offer, a little examination might yield more satisfying mates.
