Best White Wine With Steak [Essential Pairings]
Steak should always be served with red wine right? Well, no actually! Here at Wineturtle.com we like to think outside the box sometimes and today we look at some alternative wines to pair with steak.
If your love for beef is so strong that you cannot live without your weekly steak or if you can’t just resist the juiciness of a medium rare fillet, then carry on reading because this post is exactly for you.
Contrary to popular opinion, here you will find a great selection of the best white wines to drink with red meat, but steak in particular.
We recommend our favorite white wine with steak but also our favorite champagne, pink wine, and of course a traditional red.
It’s common knowledge that red wine is the perfect match for red meats.
But if you are one of those people that cannot drink or just don’t like red wine (for any inexplicable reason!) you don't need to miss out as there are other great pairings to be experienced.
Let's start with our favorite white.
White Wine - Cristom Viognier 2013
Balance is the most relevant word to describe this white wine that has a lovely minerality and lively acidity.
It's aged in 75% oak and 25% stainless steel to provide a finely balanced wine that is reassuringly smooth.
A spicy, honeysuckle nose gives way to apple, some citrus and white florals on the palate.
The punchy 14% ABV is hidden by the long, smooth citrus finish.
At around $40 it's not cheap but if you're eating fillet steak tonight then I'm guessing the price tag isn't going to be a problem right? Anyway, this is our pick for the best white wine with steak.
Rosé Wine - Las Rocas Rosé 2013, Spain
This dark colored pink wine is based on 100% Garnacha from Spain. It has a medium body, a fantastic fruit spectrum and a lively crispness.
With aromas of strawberry and raspberry, the bright fruit flavors combine with a hint of spice to provide a long, fruity finish. Las Rocas is a dry, full-bodied Rosé with a beautifully crisp finish.
Now imagine being in the sun in a big garden having good time during a Sunday BBQ with friends; can you think about a better wine to match with your steak than this juicy and refreshing rosé?
At around $10 it's incredible value for money!
Related: Kick start your next Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with our guide on wines to pair with turkey.
Sparkling Wine - Berlucchi Franciacorta Rose, Italy
This wine shows that not all excellent sparkling wines come from Champagne and also that, yes, you can pair sparkling wines with steak.
This harmonious blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay is produced with classic methods in the area of Franciacorta, in Lombardia.
A natural amphitheatre overlooking the Iseo Lake produces a microclimate particularly favorable to the production of bubbles.
The resulting wine shows an elegant bouquet of berries and ripe fruit, well mixed with subtle nuances of yeast and bread crust.
The mouth is fine and elegant, with good body and good acidity which can surely support a lean piece of slowly grilled beef.
Related: How do you keep wine tasting fresh after it's opened?
The Traditional Pairing - Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo 2011, Italy
If you are either a traditionalist who doesn’t like to experiment too much when it comes to wine or if you love to have your steak rare and your wine bold and powerful, there is plenty of choice for you!
This time I chose something that is a real classic. It's a conventional pairing for steak that won't disappoint.
A great wine and a real treat for you and your steak, this wine comes from the land of the Fiorentina steak and its the most traditional match for red meat.
With just a little touch of Cabernet Sauvignon (5%) it is produced from over 30 year old vines of the Vigna del Sorbo on galestro soil.
It's powerful, full bodied, rich in ripe dark fruit and its complex with layers of smokiness, robust tannins and a long aftertaste.
A feast for the senses, especially if you're having a rib eye, T-bone or Fiorentina!
It's a little on the pricier side at around $85 but if you're looking for the perfect match for steak then it's hard to look past this wonderful Chianti.
Related: Don't miss our ultimate wine list for fish dishes next.
The Softer Choice -
Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 2012
Even among red wine lovers, there are differences in taste and not everyone appreciates those big and full bodied reds.
Plus if your steak cut is quite lean and delicate, for example if you are having a sirloin, or a thin-sliced prime rib then you may not need those high levels of high tannins and you may consider going for a softer and smoother kind of red like a Pinot Noir.
This wine is the result of a blend of 3 different vineyards. It has charming wild roses on the nose, alongside cherries and vanilla. Its acidity is balanced by a good texture too. There are hints of earthiness and a long lingering fruity aftertaste.
Related: Compliment your salmon dishes perfectly with one of these wines.
Final Thoughts
Red wine is, and always will be, the ultimate partner to red meat like steak.
However, that's not to say it's the only type of wine that goes really well with a lean piece of red meat and don't believe anyone that tells you so.
We're definitely bucking with tradition here by pairing sparkling, rosés, and white wines with steak but we guarantee you won't regret trying it!
We'd love to hear from you in the comments section about any "unusual" wine and food pairings you have!
