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Meat · Wine pairing

What wine goes with steak?

Grilled steak wants a bold, tannic red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec or Syrah. The fat in the meat softens the tannin, and the wine makes each bite taste less heavy.

The rule: Fattier cut, bigger wine. Leaner cut, softer wine.

By Rate This Wine editors · Updated · How we rate

Steak

Photo: Nenad Stojkovic, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 3 best wines with steak

  1. Cabernet Sauvignon

    1 Cabernet Sauvignon Full-bodied red

    The classic. Firm tannin grabs onto the fat and char of a ribeye or strip, and the blackcurrant fruit stands up to a pepper crust.

    Serve 60-65°F Good bottles from about $15; Napa classics $50+

  2. Malbec

    2 Malbec Full-bodied red

    Plush and a little cheaper. Soft tannin and ripe plum make it the easy crowd-pleaser, and the natural partner for chimichurri.

    Serve 60-65°F Excellent value from $10-$20

  3. Syrah / Shiraz

    3 Syrah / Shiraz Full-bodied red

    Black pepper and smoky notes echo the grill. Great with a peppercorn sauce.

    Serve 60-65°F Shiraz from $10; Northern Rhône Syrah $30+

Best on a budget: Mendoza Malbec or a Chilean Cabernet, both deliver big flavor for under $15.

Also good

Red Bordeaux blendNebbiolo (Barolo)ZinfandelTempranillo (Rioja)

What to avoid

  • Light whites like Pinot Grigio. They taste thin and watery next to beef.
  • Very sweet reds. Sweetness clashes with savory char and salt.

It depends how you cook it

If you’re having…Pour
RibeyeThe fattiest cut needs the most tannin: Cabernet or Nebbiolo.
Filet mignonLean and tender: try Merlot or a Right Bank Bordeaux so the wine doesn’t overpower it.
Steak au poivrePepper loves Syrah from the Northern Rhône.
Steak with blue cheese butterA rich Zinfandel or a Port-style finish handles the funk.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best wine with steak?

Cabernet Sauvignon is the classic choice because its tannin softens against the fat and protein in red meat. Malbec and Syrah are equally good, and usually cheaper.

Can you drink white wine with steak?

Yes, if it’s rich: an oaked Chardonnay or a white Rhône blend can work with a lean filet or steak with a butter sauce. Avoid light, crisp whites.

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