By Marisa Finetti
Pairing wine and steak is essential in your gastronomic journey. With various cuts and preparations, discover these steak-friendly red wines, but be open to more unconventional choices. The right wine can elevate your steak dining experience. When in doubt, ask your sommelier.
UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS
Pairing wine with steak is about balancing and complementing the flavors and textures of both. Red wines are generally the best choice because their tannins help cut through the meat’s rich ness. For example, flavors from grilled meat present the perfect opportunity to welcome a spice-driven, savory varietal like Northern Rhône Valley Syrah.
“The notes of pepper and sanguine character of a great Côte Rôtie and Saint-Joseph work wonders with a wood-fired grilled steak,” says Kester Masias, VP of Wine & Beverage Operations, The Lev Restaurant Group.
Other wines to try with grilled meats are Garnacha or Priorat from Spain or Cannonau from Italy. Their flavors of rich, ripe red raspberries, orange zest and moderate tannins make these wines excellent choices.
“My particular favorites to recommend, no matter the cut, are Syrah blends from the Rhone Valley in France and Spanish Tempranillos because their blends will have enough complexity that everyone will find something to love about the pairing,” says Justin Tilley, wine director at One Steakhouse at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
“For me, steaks call for Italian reds with elevated or high tannins, and maybe with a little bit of age,” says Miklos Katona, director of wine at The Venetian. “A wine made from Nebbiolo, Sangiovese or Corvina grapes could be a life-changing experience.”
LEANER CUTS
Filet mignon, known for its tenderness rather than its strong beefy flavor, is well-suited for medium-bodied, fruit-driven red wines.
“I lean toward right bank Bordeaux, where Merlot displays these characteristics in the glass,” Masias says.
Tilley agrees with choosing wines from Bordeaux’s right bank for leaner cuts of steak.
“More Merlot and Cabernet Franc over there! … Or a good Pinot Noir from Oregon or Sonoma.”
MARBLED CUTS
Steaks with rich marbling and intense flavor call for a wine with higher tannins.
Masias recommends Brunello di Montalcino and Sagrantino di Montefalco from Italy. The boldness of the wine stands up to the richness of the steak, while the tannins help cut through the fat.
“For ribeye, the king of steak, I’d pair the king of the wines, Barolo,” Katona says.
DRY-AGED STEAK
During dry aging, moisture evaporates, concentrating the meat’s flavor, while natural enzymes break down the meat, resulting in a more tender texture. Dry-aged steak pairs well with full-bodied red wines – that complement its rich, intense flavors – such as aged wines.
“More mature wines that readily show their secondary notes and earth tones make for a harmonious pairing with dry-aged steak,” Masias says.
“For aged steak, where there is less moisture content combined with sweet and funky flavors, I’d choose an Amarone della Valpolicella,”
Katona says. The wine’s deep fruit flavors, velvety texture and balanced acidity complement the steak’s savory and umami notes.
DIFFERENT STEAK PREPARATIONS
STEAK TARTARE
“A crisp Provençal rosé is my go-to,” Masias says. “Steak tartare calls for the flavors found in red wine while pairing with the structure of a white wine. Rosé hits both marks readily.”
A light-bodied red wine like Beaujolais is also an excellent match.
STEAK SANDWICH
A casual steak sandwich calls for a wine that can handle a variety of flavors and textures. “Steak sandwiches are fantastic with a humble cru Beaujolais,” Masias says. Slightly chilled, preferably.
EXPERIMENTING WITH UNCONVENTIONAL PAIRINGS
Don’t be afraid to experiment with unconventional choices. For example, a fizzy Lambrusco di Sorbara can be a delightful surprise with a rich, fatty steak. Its mildly sweet to-dry flavors contrast with the savory meat, and its effervescence wipes the palate clean.
Or try a chilled Grignolino or Freisa from Italy. These are crushable wines with a high tannic grip that add a bright lift to virtually any steak experience.
