
Indulging in a perfectly cooked steak is a delight on its own, but pairing it with the right wine elevates the experience to an entirely new level. Whether you're a budding enthusiast or a sophisticated connoisseur, finding the ideal wine to complement your favorite cut can transform a meal into a masterpiece.
In this article, we’ll explore the 4 best wine and steak pairings to awaken your inner connoisseur and make your next dining experience unforgettable.
Things to Consider When Pairing Wine With Steak
Before we get into the best wine and steak pairings, here are a few things to consider when you’re making your choice:
Aim for Bold Flavors: There’s a reason red wine pairs so well with steak. With pronounced tannins and a generally heavier, bold body, red wine is the go-to choice for steak. Choose a red wine that can stand up to the bold flavors of the steak, helping you cleanse your palate and enhance the richness of each bite.
Match the Flavor Profile: Experiment with wines that complement the flavors of the steak. For instance, a steak with a peppery rub would pair nicely with a spicy Syrah. On the other hand, a steak with a creamier sauce would go well with an oakier wine.
Consider How the Steak is Cooked: How a steak is cooked impacts the choice of wine you’ll pair it with. Grilled steaks feature a smoky flavor that pairs well with bolder red wines, while pan-seared steaks have caramelized notes that go well with medium-bodied wines.
Pay Attention to the Intensity of the Steak: Rich and fatty steaks like ribeye require a wine that can match their intensity. Lighter steaks, such as a filet mignon, pair well with lighter wines.
Try New Things: Don’t be afraid to experiment with finding good wines to drink with steaks. What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s best to take your time and see what you prefer.

4 Classic Wines That Pair Perfectly With Steak
Whether you’re embarking on your first fine dining adventure or consider yourself a seasoned wine connoisseur, here are four exceptional wines that pair perfectly with a variety of steak cuts:
Cabernet Sauvignon
A classic choice for wine and steak pairings is the “people pleaser” of red wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon. Perfect for beginners, this full-bodied wine has dark fruit flavors, including blackcurrant, black cherry, and blackberry, with notes of spice, tobacco, and vanilla, making it a delightful partner for steak. Cabernets' naturally high acidity and tannins successfully cut through fatty foods, offering a tanginess that elevates a quality steak even more. Cabernet grapes are grown around the globe, with regions like Bordeaux, France, Chile, Australia, and South Africa. In the US, Napa Valley, California, produces some of the most top-rated Cabernets in the world.
Best Steak to Pair With a Cabernet Wine: This red wine pairs beautifully with a ribeye steak or New York Strip. Whether bone-in or not, Ribeye steak is one of the richest and most flavorful cuts of steak, featuring marbling and juicy tenderness. The higher fat content results in a decadent, buttery richness that goes well with Cabernet’s high tannins that cut the fat or intense fruit flavors for heightened contrast. The New York strip is another excellent steak to pair with Cabernet wine. The bold flavors of the steak perfectly contrast with the dark, fruity notes of the wine, allowing each to enhance the other.
Malbec
Malbec wines and steak are a match made in heaven. A bolder red wine with a dark, almost violet, inky color, Malbec boasts a more fruity profile, with tasting notes of leather, coffee, black pepper, vanilla, and tobacco—some even describe it as having meaty or smoky undertones. With lush dark fruit and naturally high tannins, Malbec wines and blends are another classic choice for steak if you’re unsure of what you’re looking for. There are two primary regions you need to be looking for: Argentina and France.
Argentina has become known for providing some of the best Malbec wines. Mendoza is a region with more Malbec grapes planted than anywhere else in the world and is home to 76% of Argentina’s vineyards. Given Argentina's reputation for producing high-quality beef, it’s no surprise that Malbec and steak are a perfect match in this South American country. Other regions, such as Altamira and Uco Valley, produce Malbec wines with less oak, fresher fruit, and better acidity. France, specifically Cahors, is the homeland of Malbec grapes. While this region in southwest France isn’t producing as much Malbec as Argentina, it’s a quality source of high-value bottles that can pair exquisitely with steak.
Best Steak to Pair With a Malbec Wine: The deep flavors of Malbec can easily overpower the taste of fattier meats such as filet mignon, so it’s best to pair this wine with leaner cuts of steak. Malbec is a rich, dry, fruity wine with a perfectly balanced pairing with a top sirloin steak. Sirloin is a widespread cut of steak, relatively lean with light marbling that can be seasoned in countless ways, making it an ideal canvas for Malbec's bold and complex flavors.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a sweeter choice than acidic and dry wines that boast heavy tannins and other flavor combinations. These grapes have a high sugar content, making the wine have a high alcohol concentration, usually between 14% and 17%. Due to its juicy fruit characteristics, Zinfandel wines pair well with spicy, zesty steaks. While Croatia is the birthplace of Zinfandel, California has become renowned as one of the best regions for producing this wine, proudly offering exceptional “Old Vine” Zinfandel. This sweet wine can be found in Amador County, Napa Valley, Paso Robles, and the Central Valley, but Sonoma County stands out as the premier region. In particular, California’s Dry Creek Valley is celebrated as the top choice for producing exceptional Zinfandel, known for its high acidity and bold notes of pepper and blackberry.
Best Steak to Pair With Zinfandel Wines: Zinfandel wines have a bold taste that pairs well with fatty steaks—ribeye, in particular, makes for an ideal match. Ribeye doesn’t require a robust wine to enhance its flavor because it already boasts a pungent taste. Additionally, it’s best to avoid steaks that have a sweeter seasoning, as the Zinfandel’s sweet notes can overpower or clash with the dish, disrupting the balance of flavors. Choose a steak with a spicy, zesty palate. The sweetness of Zinfandel wines will counterbalance the spice and successfully clear your palate between every bite.
Syrah
Featuring spicy black pepper flavor notes, Syrah or Shiraz is an excellent match for smokey-flavored, fatty steaks. This wine is highly varietal since the grapes are deeply influenced by the temperature at which they grow. In countries with moderate climates, like Rhone Valley in Rance, Syrah is rich and peppery, often carrying a savory smokey bacon note, with high acidity and tannin levels. However, in warmer climates such as Mclaren Vale and Crete in Australia, Zinfandel wines are more full-bodied, with softer levels of tannin and a more embodied, fruity flavor. Syrah also ages beautifully, with older wines often developing an earthy, leathery character that perfectly complements the grape's fruitiness.
Best Steaks to Pair With Syrah/Shiraz Wines: Syrah wines pair well with ribeye, porterhouse, or T-bone steaks, as their tannin levels balance the rich flavors of these cuts. Ribeye, porterhouse, and T-bone steaks often require a more robust wine to complement their bold, savory profiles. Syrah's smoky and spicy notes enhance the steak's natural flavors, creating a harmonious pairing that elevates the dining experience. Pair a well-aged Syrah with a grilled ribeye for an even more decadent match for a truly unforgettable meal.

The Best Wine With Your Steak is Up to You
The thing about pairing red wine with steak is that it’s hard to go wrong if you choose your favorite. Even if we haven’t mentioned your favorite, such as a Pinot Noir or Merlot, it will enhance the dish if it complements your palate and brings out the flavors you love most in the wine and the steak. Ultimately, the best pairing is the one that makes your meal enjoyable and memorable. Fine dining is a personal experience that includes finding what you prefer and what you’d like to try. Whether you’d like to stick to what you know or want to go out on a limb and try a new red wine, the choice is yours. The goal is to enjoy dinner and good conversation, whether you choose a Malbec or a completely different drink. Taste different wines, try new steaks, and discover the perfect pairing for you.
Try Out a Wine & Steak Pairing at Turf Club in Twin Falls, Idaho
Do you want to put these wine and steak pairings to the test? Turf Club is a fine dining experience like no other. Located in Twin Falls, Idaho, and steeped in history, our restaurant offers locally procured steaks and full-bodied wines that create an unforgettable dining experience, blending rich flavors with a warm, inviting atmosphere.

From classic Cabernet Sauvignon to bold Malbec, our wine selection is ever-changing and carefully curated to complement the flavors of our locally sourced steaks. Each pairing is designed to elevate your dining experience, allowing you to savor the perfect harmony of robust wines and expertly prepared cuts. Whether indulging in a juicy ribeye or a tender filet mignon, you'll find a wine that enhances every bite. Reserve your seats for an unforgettable night, where exquisite steak and wine pairings take center stage. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging your inner connoisseur, our carefully crafted menu and exceptional wine selection promise an evening of culinary excellence.
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