What wine goes with beef? Our reds by cooking method
705 wines to serve with beefWith beef, serve a structured red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah or Nebbiolo for grilled cuts, Pinot Noir for quick cooking and leaner cuts. The more seared and marbled the meat, the more tannin the wine can carry.
Our selection travels the wine regions of the world: Malbec from Argentina, Cabernet from California and South Africa, Tempranillo from Spain, Barolo and Brunello from Italy. Filter by country or grape variety, then let the way your dish is prepared guide your choice.
Hamilton Russell - Pinot noir 2023
A long-lasting Pinot noir with complex and refined notes
Cantina Cellaro - Luma Nero d'Avola 2024
A powerful Sicilian red wine with rich, spicy flavors
San Marzano - Primitivo di Manduria SUD 2023
A cuvée of fabulous structure and complexity, from the star region of Primitivo.
Ritual - Pinot Noir 2020
A vintage full of elegance and extreme finesse that we know from Burgundy Pinot Noirs.
L.A. Cetto - Nebbiolo Reserva Privada 2019
A great Italian grape variety grown in Mexico, what could be more exotic to discover this intense and spicy red wine.
El Porvenir - Amauta Tannat 2024
A round and balanced wine, expressing the typicality of Tannat
Kanonkop Wine Estate - Kadette Pinotage 2024
A wine that embodies the generous and structured expression of Stellenbosch Pinotage, combining ripe fruit, roundness and spices.
Birichino - Saint Georges Zinfandel 2024
A zinfandel from old vines over 90 years old, of incredible complexity and freshness!
Crystallum - Peter Max 2024
A wonderfully elegant and fragrant Pinot noir.
Cono Sur - Bicicleta Pinot Noir 2022
Specialist in Pinot Noir, the "Cono Sur" estate offers us a drinkable vintage of their own!
Atamisque - Atamisque Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
A Cabernet from the Uco Valley, blackcurrant and graphite, structured without harshness.
Juan Carlos Sancha - Peña El Gato 2022
An old-vine Garnacha, fresh and deep, born in the hills of the Najerilla.
El Porvenir - Pequeñas Fermentaciones GSM 2022
A perfectly balanced GSM blend, revealing the imprint of the Andean terroir
Fuerza Natural - Cinsault 2021
A fresh and vibrant Cinsault, from century-old vines in southern Chile
460 Casina Bric - Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 2016
A single-plot Barolo from the highest altitudes of Barolo
Château Sainte Michelle - Syrah 2020
When Syrah meets Washington State
Atamisque - Serbal Malbec 2024
A juicy and floral Malbec, crafted with finesse and balance.
Equinox Wines - Find Your Happy Place Red 2022
A red blend made in South Africa, in a natural and digestible style
Montecrocetta - Argione Appasimento 2015
An Amarone type wine made from 2 emblematic Bordeaux grape varieties
Peregrine Estate - Pinot noir 2015
A Pinot Noir that combines purity and elegance, concentration and length.
460 Casina Bric - Barolo Comune di Barolo 2014
A powerful Barolo deeply imbued with its high altitude terroir
Crystallum - Cuvée Cinéma 2024
A haute couture Pinot Noir, with exceptional aromatic concentration rivaling the great wines of Burgundy.
Quinta do Crasto - Flor de Crasto Rouge 2021
A beautiful blend from the Douro Valley, with intense flavors of black fruits
David & Nadia - Red From Mountain Soils 2019
A duo between Cinsault and Grenache with a spicy and juicy profile
Which wine for which beef dish?
The cut matters, the cooking even more. Here are the pairings we recommend most often in the shop.
| Dish | Wines to choose | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled rib of beef rib, entrecôte, hanger steak on the barbecue | Malbec from Argentina, Cabernet Sauvignon from California or South Africa | Grilled fat softens firm tannins, and the dark fruit echoes the caramelised crust. |
| Roast beef roast beef, roast sirloin | Burgundy Pinot Noir, Rosso di Montalcino | Tender, pink meat calls for finesse and lively acidity. |
| Beef bourguignon daube, braised beef cheek | Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache | A wine-based sauce loves a supple red with similar aromas and a hint of spice. |
| Italian-style braised beef brasato, stracotto | Barolo, Barbaresco, Amarone della Valpolicella | Long cooking in red wine calls for the depth and mellow tannins of Nebbiolo or Corvina. |
| Tartare and carpaccio hand-cut tartare, carpaccio with olive oil | Light Pinot Noir, Bardolino Chiaretto, a red served chilled | Raw meat comes alive with crunchy fruit and plenty of freshness. |
| Pepper steak tournedos, steak with pepper sauce | Syrah, Australian Shiraz | The peppery notes of Syrah echo the sauce and wrap around the meat. |
| Pot-au-feu short ribs, boiled beef | Cabernet Franc, Chianti, Sangiovese | The delicate broth calls for an easy-drinking, fresh, low-tannin wine. |
| Homemade burger burger, grilled minced beef | Tempranillo from Spain, Pinotage from South Africa | A generous, smoky red goes with the brioche bun, cheddar and condiments. |
Meat served blue prefers a fresher, fruitier wine than a cut seared for a long time.
Malbec, the natural partner for grilled meat
For grilled meat, our first instinct is still Argentinian Malbec. Grown at altitude in Mendoza, it offers vibrant dark fruit, ripe tannins and a freshness that cleanses the palate after each bite of marbled meat. South African Cabernet Sauvignon plays a different tune: more linear, more blackcurrant, ideal with a well-charred entrecôte.
For a festive dish, turn to Piedmont. The Nebbiolo of a Barolo, like those from 460 Casina Bric, develops aromas of rose, cherry and leather that enhance braised beef or a dry-aged rib. And for a more relaxed table, the Shiraz from Groot Constantia brings spice and velvet to a pepper steak. Three styles, three moods, the same pleasure of sharing.
Three pairings to try
Hanger steak with shallots and Malbec. The dark fruit and freshness of Mendoza balance the sweetness of the confit shallots.
Brasato and Barolo. The wine in the recipe and the wine in the glass answer each other, Piedmont style.
Tartare and Bardolino Chiaretto. A lively rosé from Veneto, served chilled, for a summer lunch.
The Wine Wanderer Team
Your questions about wine and beef
What red wine goes with rib of beef?
With a rib of beef, choose a structured red with ripe fruit: Malbec from Argentina, Cabernet Sauvignon from California or Syrah. The fat of the rib and the grilled crust soften the tannins. For a dry-aged rib, a Nebbiolo with a few years of age brings more complexity. Find our detailed advice in our guide wine and rib of beef.
White or red wine with beef?
Red remains the safest pairing with beef, because its tannins bind with the proteins in the meat. A full-bodied, oaked white can, however, go with a carpaccio or beef with crunchy vegetables. In between, a structured rosé served chilled works very well with a tartare or a Thai beef salad.
What wine goes with boeuf bourguignon?
For a boeuf bourguignon, serve a Pinot Noir, ideally close to the one used in the cooking. Its aromas of cherry and forest floor extend the sauce. A Syrah or Grenache also works for a more robust version. We go into cooking and side dishes in our article on boeuf bourguignon.
At what temperature should red wine be served with beef?
Serve a structured red between 16 and 18 °C, and a light red such as Pinot Noir at around 14 °C. A wine that is too warm feels heavy and alcoholic, while a slightly chilled wine shows its fruit better. Take the bottle out of the cellar an hour before the meal and open great young wines in advance, or even decant them.
What wine goes with beef tartare?
With beef tartare, go for a light, fresh red such as a Pinot Noir or a Gamay, served at around 13 °C. The capers, shallot and mustard call for liveliness. A rosé with character, such as a Bardolino Chiaretto, is a very successful summer alternative.
Which wine from around the world can replace a Bordeaux with beef?
To capture the spirit of a Bordeaux with beef, try a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot from South Africa, Chile or California. You will find the expected structure and blackcurrant, with more generous fruit. Groot Constantia's Lady of Abundance is a fine example of this style.