Choosing the Right Wine for Your Steak

Choosing the Right Wine for Your Steak

There is nothing quite like a good meal. It is one of the few things in life that we get to constantly enjoy without any complications, and it is one that never gets old. To come back home to a nice steak and a delightful glass of wine is one of the best things a person could experience after a long day at work. But if you really want to make the most out of your meal, you can’t just drink any glass of wine with whatever steak you are having. Pairing wines with food is an art, and it takes some time to master. This is how you can choose the right wine for your steak. 

White wine with white meat

Before we get into your average steak, let’s talk white meat –– or in other words fish, chicken, and pork. Focusing on the latter, white wine pairs perfectly with the different cuts of pork, especially steaks, which are usually taken from the shoulder of the pig. So, why does this pairing work,  particularly well? It is because white wine has higher acidity levels, which works perfectly with chicken, fish, and pork. It would greatly compliment a pork steak and would actually elevate the flavors of your meal. 

Red wine with red meat

On the other hand, generally speaking, red wine pairs best with red meat –– though there are some exceptions, but we will get into those a bit later. The trick is in matching the right red wine with your steak, which will depend on both the type of drink itself as well as the steak’s seasoning. 

Lean cuts 

For lean cuts, one of the best choices you could go with is a Malbec. It is a bold red wine with a strong flavor that is full of tannins, but it is not overwhelming and doesn’t give a woody aroma. On the contrary, it has a bit of a fruity sensation, which makes it perfect to bring to your next BBQ if you are having leaner cuts of meat, like top sirloin or flank steaks. It will not pair as well with fatty cuts like filet mignon, because its strong flavor might really overpower that of the meat. Pro tip: Argentina makes the best Malbec, and your next choice should be France. 

Marbled steak

A marbled steak is one that is rich in fat and has a strong flavor, and it should be paired with an equally powerful wine to stand out next to the flavor of the steak. It is best that you get one that has not been aged for too long. Your best bet with such fatty cuts is a Merlot or a French Bordeaux, which will change the entire culinary experience and take your meal to the next level. 

Spicy steaks 

If you want a spicy and zesty seasoning for your steak, then you should go for a Zinfandel. This one is great for people who like sweeter wines that are not as heavy on tannins as other wines are. This sweeter flavor will work perfectly with the spicy flavor of the steak and give you a refreshing change between bites. 

Slowly cooked steaks 

Smoked steaks take hours to cook, and sometimes they can even be left overnight. They end up with a bold, rich flavor that is earthy and delicious. So, you need an equally powerful wine to stand out against the strong flavor of the smoked steak. Fruity and sweetened wines go quite well with such dishes, and you can go with a Burgundy from France. Some people like to pair a Zinfandel with this meal because its sweet taste also works well with this mix. 

Ribeye and fatty steaks

If you want a different combination for fatty steaks like the ribeye –– which is one of the most delicious cuts –– you could always go with a Syrah, also known as Shiraz. This dark skinned grape variety is one of the finer robust wines out there that matches pretty well with such cuts of steak. It counteracts the richness of the fats in the meat, and it gives off a perfect balance when you pair them. Syrah is better when aged, so if you can get your hands on a well-aged bottle, it would even add more to the richness of your meal. 

Choosing the right wine for your steak might seem hard, but it just needs some practice and time. You might not like the previously mentioned pairings, and you don’t have to. These aren’t exactly obligatory rules, and you can break them whenever you want. But you need to learn them first and understand the reasoning behind such pairings before you go and try your own.