Lucas Delgado
Wine and food pairings can make or break a meal. While filet mignon is best paired with red wines like Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Bordeaux Blend, chicken is more versatile and can be paired with reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines. For instance, a roast chicken pairs well with Chardonnay, while a chicken curry is best enjoyed with Viognier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Filet Mignon Wine Pairing | Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz/Syrah, Bordeaux Blend, White Wine, Rosé, Red Wine |
| Chicken Wine Pairing | Chardonnay, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, White Wine |
| General Steak Wine Pairing | Red Wine, White Wine, Rosé, Champagne |
| Wine Pairing Factors | Cut of Beef, Wine Characteristics, Dish's Overall Flavor Profile, Acid, Body, Tannins |
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What You'll Learn
- Rosé and Pinot Noir for chicken, Pinot Noir for filet mignon
- Chardonnay with roast chicken, Merlot with filet mignon
- Sauvignon Blanc with grilled chicken, Bordeaux Blend with filet mignon
- Sparkling wine with chicken tenders, lighter red wine with filet mignon
- Viognier with chicken curry, Argentinian Malbec with filet mignon
Rosé and Pinot Noir for chicken, Pinot Noir for filet mignon
Filet mignon is a lightly marbled, tender cut of meat with a delicate flavour. It is also a leaner cut, which means it goes best with a lighter wine. A red wine is usually recommended for red meat, and indeed, for filet mignon, red wine is the best choice. The most popular option is Pinot Noir, especially if the meat is seasoned simply with salt and pepper. The slight creaminess of the wine brings out the softness of the meat, and its fruity and oaky notes complement the gentle flavours of filet mignon without overwhelming them. If you are serving the filet mignon with a creamy sauce, choose a heavier, smokier Pinot Noir.
Chicken is also commonly paired with Pinot Noir. Wine-braised chicken cooked with Pinot Noir is a simple and beautiful way to prepare chicken, especially using chicken thighs, which are succulent and hard to overcook. Chicken thighs marinated in Pinot Noir overnight can then be slow-cooked in wine and herbs for a scrumptious meal. Chicken also goes well with Rosé, a lighter wine. A whole lemon chicken recipe, for example, pairs well with a New Zealand Pinot Noir, with the lemon flavours of the chicken and the wine creating a flavourful combination.
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Chardonnay with roast chicken, Merlot with filet mignon
Filet mignon is a tender cut of meat with a delicate flavour, so it is often served with sauces. The wine you choose to pair with it should complement the sauce, as well as the texture of the meat. For instance, a filet mignon with a creamy sauce will pair well with a Pinot Noir, as the wine has a slight creaminess that brings out the softness of the meat.
If you are serving your filet mignon with just a simple salt and pepper seasoning, a Pinot Noir is also a great choice. The fruity notes and subtle oakiness of the wine complement the gentle flavours of the meat without overwhelming them.
However, if you are looking for a wine with slightly less tannin and acidity, Merlot is a good option. Its lighter body makes it a great choice for the leaner cut of filet mignon. You can also use it to create a rich red wine sauce to serve with the steak.
On the other hand, Chardonnay chicken is a simple yet elegant dish. Chicken breasts are seared and topped with a creamy white wine sauce made with Chardonnay, butter, and a hint of dijon mustard. The sauce is perfectly balanced, with a tangy, buttery flavour that complements the chicken. Chardonnay Chicken can be served as a weeknight meal or for a dinner party.
To make the Chardonnay chicken, you will first need to sear the chicken breasts in a skillet over medium heat with olive oil and butter. After searing the meat, you will make the sauce in the same skillet by sautéing shallots and garlic, deglazing with Chardonnay, and then adding chicken stock. Finally, the chicken and sauce are placed in an oven-safe dish and heated in the oven.
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Sauvignon Blanc with grilled chicken, Bordeaux Blend with filet mignon
When it comes to wine and food pairings, the right wine can bring out the best flavours of both. Filet mignon is a lightly marbled, lean cut of meat, and its tenderness means it pairs well with a lighter, thinner wine. While almost any wine can be enjoyed with this flavourful cut, a red wine is the best choice.
A Bordeaux Blend is a robust red wine that combines Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, with a smaller amount of Malbec mixed in. This blend gets its name from the fact that all of these wine varieties originated in the Bordeaux region of France. It has a medium to high amount of tannins and a complex mix of fruit flavours, making it an excellent choice to bring out the best in the Filet Mignon.
Grilled chicken is a versatile protein that pairs well with many wines. A simple roasted chicken can be paired with a full-flavoured red, a medium-bodied rosé, or a dry white. If the chicken is served with a lemon, garlic, or herb sauce, a Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice. The citrus overtones of Sauvignon Blanc complement the lemony flavours of the chicken, and it is light enough not to overpower a delicate herbal rub.
Sauvignon Blanc also pairs well with grilled chicken due to its crisp finish, which will keep the chicken tasting fresh. It is also a good choice when serving chicken with asparagus, as its high acidity and lack of residual sugar help to avoid the wine tasting metallic or harsh.
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Sparkling wine with chicken tenders, lighter red wine with filet mignon
Filet mignon is a lightly marbled, lean cut of steak. Its tenderness means it can be cut with a fork and does not need to be cut with a knife. This calls for a lighter, thinner wine. While it is commonly said that "red meat and red wine go together", filet mignon is best paired with a sweeter wine, as its low level of fat is overwhelmed by the acidity in dry white wine.
Pinot Noir is the most widely recommended wine to pair with filet mignon, especially if the steak is seasoned only with salt and pepper and does not include any creamy sauces. The slight creaminess of the wine brings out the softness of the meat, making it seem richer. Its fruity and oaky notes also complement the gentle flavours of the meat without overwhelming them. If you are serving a sauce with your steak, a stronger-flavoured wine may be preferable, as the Pinot Noir's tannins are on the lower side.
If you are serving a peppercorn-crusted steak, a wine with a stronger body and more fruit flavour, as well as more tannins, is recommended. An aged bottle is a great choice for a Prime grade Filet Mignon. A Bordeaux Blend combines Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, with some wineries also including a smaller amount of Malbec. This blend results in a robust wine with a medium to a high amount of tannins and a complex mix of fruit flavours.
When it comes to chicken tenders, sparkling wine is the obvious choice. The carbonation helps to draw the fat off your tongue. Champagne is a classic pairing, with Cava also being a good option for under $20. For those who prefer red wine, Barbera, Beaujolais, and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo are recommended.
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Viognier with chicken curry, Argentinian Malbec with filet mignon
When it comes to wine, there are many varieties to choose from, and often, the choice depends on the food you will be serving with it. Filet mignon and chicken are two very different dishes, and each has its own wine pairings that complement their flavours and textures.
For chicken, the type of dish you are serving will influence the wine you should choose. For a chicken curry, Viognier is an excellent choice. Viognier is a slightly off-dry wine with a bigger body, which is perfect for colder weather. Its tiny amount of sugar tempers the heat of a curry, which would otherwise destroy bone-dry wines. The wine has notes of peach, a long finish, and good acidity, making it a great match for a chicken curry with sweet potatoes and cauliflower on basmati rice.
For filet mignon, a lighter wine is generally a better choice to complement the texture of the meat. While almost any wine can be enjoyed with this cut of beef, red wines are typically considered the best choice. Argentinian Malbec is a popular option, as its approachable tannins work well with most cuts of steak. The wine has notes of black currant, mocha, and toasted oak, and its bold flavour pairs well with the traditional Argentinian style of asado or parilla grilling. Another option is a Pinot Noir, especially if you are only seasoning the steak with salt and pepper and not adding any creamy sauces.
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Frequently asked questions
The wine you pair with chicken depends on how the chicken is cooked and seasoned. Generally, white meat pairs well with white wine, so a Chardonnay is a good choice for roasted chicken. For grilled chicken, a Sauvignon Blanc from California, Italy, Chile or Australia is a good choice. For chicken tenders, sparkling wine is a good choice, especially if you're dipping them in a spicy sauce. A chilled glass of Rosé from Provence is a good pairing for herb-roasted chicken thighs.
Filet mignon is a lean cut of meat, so it needs a lighter wine pairing. Pinot Noir is a good choice, especially if the steak is seasoned simply with salt and pepper. If the steak is served with peppercorns or a sauce, a heavier, smokier Pinot Noir or Sangiovese is a better choice. Merlot and Malbec are also good pairings for filet mignon.
Pinot Noir is a good choice for both chicken and filet mignon. A lighter Pinot Noir will complement the gentle flavours of filet mignon, while a Pinot Noir with red fruit and earthy undertones will complement roasted or grilled chicken.
