Pairing Wine with Beef
When it comes to pairing wine with beef, a good, full-bodied red wine is the obvious choice. Pairing this meat with the right red wine will give you a divine combination.
Thankfully, there’s really no shortage of red wines that pair excellently with beef. In general, beef tends to be a fattier, flavourful meat, so you’ll want something more full-bodied and substantial to stand up to all the richness.
Find out more about wine and beef pairings below, as well as some wine recommendations for steak along with popular beef dishes, like Beef Wellington and more.
Things to bear in mind when considering which wine to serve with beef
There are three – actually let’s say four – things to bear in mind when you’re wondering what wines to pair with beef.
- Whatever the rule book says, it’s always most important to drink a wine that you enjoy!
- In general, beef pairs best with fuller-bodied red wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Shiraz, Rhône reds, Bordeaux reds, etc
- Consider the sauces and garnishes, like gravy, horseradish, peppercorn, salsa verde, mustard or teriyaki. Ideally, avoid putting lighter-bodied wines with bold sauces and if you like horseradish by the spoonful, make sure it’s a wine with plenty of gusto!
- Lastly, spare a thought for whatever you are planning to serve up alongside. Too many flavours on the plate and in the glass can leave your poor taste buds exhausted. Keep it simple.
Some Delicious Wine Pairings for Classic Beef Dishes
Pairing Wine with Steak
For many, a nice juicy steak alongside a glass of wine is one of life’s greatest pleasures. When it comes to wine and steak pairings, there are plenty of options. You’ll want a red wine that’s more full-bodied with the weight to stand up to to the richness of the meat. Some popular choices include:
Do give some thought to the cut of the meat and how rare or well done it’s likely to be. Ribeye is generally a fattier cut and if that’s your choice then head for a fuller-bodied red wine, like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz. Sirloin meanwhile will fare nicely with something less intense, like a Malbec. For those that like their meat rare consider wines with tannin and body, whilst a medium- to well-done roast might lend itself to something more subtle or with bottle age.
Here are a couple of great options for wines to pair with steak. Domaine Bousquet’s Reserve Malbec has lovely firm tannins and silky fruit – pair this with a juicy steak for a heavenly mouthwatering combination.
Original price was: £15.50.£14.25Current price is: £14.25.
The Mas des Tannes Rouge No Added Sulphur from Domaines Paul Mas is another ideal steak pairing red wine. A rich, rustic blend of Grenache, Merlot and Syrah, this red has the weight to match big meaty flavours.
£13.75
Pairing Wine with Roast Beef
We’re assuming you’re going all out here with roast potatoes and all the trimmings and that you’re aiming for medium to well done to keep everyone happy. If that’s the case, then we really like the Château Couronneau Bordeaux Supérieur because it has the depth of fruit to cope with most accompaniments and isn’t excessively tannic.
£14.50
We also have a soft spot for the Clos de Caveau Vacqueras ‘Fruit Sauvage’, which is a Rhône blend of Grenache and Syrah. It’s such a gloriously earthy wine that it feels instinctively perfect for elevating any roast beef lunch or dinner.
£23.00
Pairing Wine with Beef Stroganoff
Some stroganoffs are creamier than others. We’re quite partial to the recipe that comes from The Hairy Bikers that has a little crème fraiche and a splash of brandy.
You can enjoy beef stroganoff at home with the La Corte del Pozzo Valpolicella which has just the right amount of bite to marry nicely with the sauce.
£16.50
Another great wine option for beef stroganoff is a Loire Cabernet Franc, like the magnificent Les Quarterons St Nicolas de Bourgueil.
£19.50
Pairing Wine with Beef Wellington
This is as luxurious a beef dish as they come. Prime beef fillet, gorgeous mushrooms and pastry; it’s a combo that deserves the best.
Château Beauséjour’s wines would be an elegant and traditional choice, like their St. Emilion Tradition, which has been a highly sought after wine since the 60s.
£17.25
A less obvious but equally delicious wine to try would be the award-winning Barone Pizzini Estatatura, which is a sophisticated blend of Sangiovese and Carignan.
£28.50
Pairing Wine with Beef Stew
There are so many beef stew recipes around, which makes choosing the perfect wine for beef stew a tad more difficult. For us a Pinot Noir is a safe choice, like the New Zealand Terrace Edge Pinot Noir.
Pairing Wine with Cottage Pie
There are no choices here, sorry! Time and time again, the winning choice for Cottage Pie is a juicy, low-tannin Beaujolais.
Made from 60-year-old Gamay vines, the medal winning Romany Beaujolais Le Moulin is a good choice.
£17.50
Can you pair white wine with beef?
We have said it before and we will say it again: eat what you like and drink what you enjoy! Food pairings, though often helpful and well-meaning, can sometimes take the fun out of it all.
We know plenty of people who like their rump served rare but can’t bring themselves to drink a glass of red. That’s just fine.
The type of cooking and seasoning will all make a difference, but as a rule sumptuous more full bodied white wines tend to do best with beef, simply because they tend to have a match in terms of richness.
Perhaps one of the best wines in the Vintage Roots range for the job is the remarkable Viognier from Château Rochecolombe.
£15.25
Another top pick would be the Symphony No Added Sulphur Garnacha Blanca.
£16.50
Which wine to use for cooking Beef Bourguignon or Beef Wellington?
The co-author of this blog is the slightly sheepish (wrong animal pun!) owner of at least two hundred cookery books. They are much loved and treasured; the best ones read for the sheer joy of cookery that they communicate.
Nevertheless, she respectfully chuckles at the great list of food writers and chefs who will nonchalantly recommend a bottle of top-end Burgundy here or 375ml of your finest Pomerol there… she’s turned out her share of stews, Wellingtons and Bourguignonnes in her time and even if she says so herself, none suffered unduly for being braised or cooked in a sensibly priced, well-made bottle of southern French Merlot or similar.
If you’re fighting for a finalist’s spot on Masterchef or for a third Michelin star you may feel differently, but otherwise, relax! Most important is to make sure you use a wine that you’re happy to drink if you find yourself with a glass or more leftover.
Here are three well-priced red wines that will make your beef sing and give you a chance to join in! The medium-bodied, easy-drinking Pays D’Oc Montmija Merlot is a top choice.
£10.99
Or the reliable Cuvée Secrète No Added Sulphur Merlot Cabernet from Paul Mas.
£12.95
Also, consider the Bohem Tempranillo Garnacha for cooking your beef.
£9.99
We hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post all about wine and beef pairings. A big cheers to thinking and drinking organic 🥂
