Claire Thompson
Wine and food pairings can elevate your dining experience. The fattiness and seasoning of a steak, for example, can be enhanced or complemented by the right wine. Similarly, chicken, a versatile protein, can be paired with a variety of wines depending on its preparation and accompanying ingredients. Salmon, a rich, oily fish, is commonly paired with full-bodied white wines, but can also be enjoyed with rosé or light-bodied, low-tannin red wines.
Wines that pair with steak, chicken and salmon
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wines that pair with steak | Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma or Napa Valley Zinfandel, Sagrantino, Shiraz, Syrah, Italian Dolcetto, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Barolo, Aglianico, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, French Syrah, Spanish Tempranillo |
| Wines that pair with chicken | Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Shiraz, Grenache, Rosé, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Lambrusco, Albarino, Pinot Blanc, Verdejo, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Champagne |
| Wines that pair with salmon | Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne, White Rioja, White Burgundy, White Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Central Coast Chardonnay, Australian Chardonnay, Sémillon, Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Fiano, Riesling, Gewürztraminer |
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What You'll Learn
- Wines for steak: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz are popular choices
- Wines for chicken: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are good options
- Wines for salmon: Full-bodied white wines like Chardonnay, lighter reds, or rosé
- Wines for rare steak: Italian Sagrantino or Australian Shiraz are recommended
- Wines for grilled chicken: Rosé, medium-bodied reds, or dry whites are versatile choices
Wines for steak: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz are popular choices
When it comes to wine and steak, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz are popular choices. A juicy, flavourful steak pairs very nicely with a full-bodied red wine. The plum, black cherry, blackberry, and spice flavour profile of a typical Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, complements a hearty red meat steak. Similarly, the boldness of the Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon, with its notes of black currants and vanilla, makes it an excellent choice for steak.
Malbec is another varietal that pairs well with steak. It often presents as a medium-bodied wine with flavours of black cherry, plum, and tobacco. Shiraz is also a good option, especially if you're looking for something with a bold, spicy kick. The 1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel-Aged Zinfandel, for instance, features bold black and white pepper spices.
While steak is typically paired with red wine, it's important to remember that the key to a successful pairing is harmony and balance. You don't want either the wine or the food to overpower the other, so finding the right match is crucial.
In addition to the wines mentioned above, other red wine varietals that can be paired with steak include Zinfandel and Merlot.
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Wines for chicken: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are good options
Chicken is a versatile meat that can be paired with a variety of wines, but some of the most popular options are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, a dry white wine with oak aging and elevated acidity, is a classic choice for chicken. The oak barrels impart toasty and nutty flavours that pair well with roast chicken. A Sonoma Coast or Central Coast Chardonnay from California or an Australian Chardonnay from Victoria are excellent options. Chardonnay is also a good choice for chicken dishes with creamy sauces, such as chicken piccata.
Pinot Noir, a light-bodied, low-tannin red wine, is another excellent option for chicken. It has bright fruit flavours and a juicy, refreshing acidity that complements a variety of chicken dishes.
Zinfandel, a bold red wine with notes of brambly, spicy fruit, can also be a good pairing for chicken, especially if the dish has a juicy interior and crispy crust.
Other wine options for chicken include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and sparkling wines. It's important to consider the specific flavours and preparation methods of the chicken dish when choosing a wine pairing to ensure a harmonious flavour combination.
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Wines for salmon: Full-bodied white wines like Chardonnay, lighter reds, or rosé
Salmon is a rich, oily fish that is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of wines, including full-bodied white wines, lighter reds, or rosé.
Full-bodied white wines are a classic pairing with salmon. The general rule is that the oiliness of the fish is cut by the wine, creating a wonderful contrast. Oak-aged Chardonnays are a popular choice, with their nutty, toasty, and sometimes smoky notes, which complement the flavours of the salmon. Chardonnays from California, Sicily, Australia, and Burgundy are all recommended. Other full-bodied white wines that pair well with salmon include Viognier, Marsanne, White Rioja, White Pinot Noir, and Sémillon.
Lighter red wines can also be a good match for salmon, especially if it is prepared in a way that makes it more steak-like, such as a rich glaze or served rare. The key is to choose a low-tannin red wine to avoid a metallic taste. Examples include Valpolicella, Gamay (Beaujolais), Prieto Picudo, and Lambrusco.
Rosé wine is another option for salmon, particularly if the dish has salty-fishy notes, such as salmon served on toast or bagels with cream cheese and capers. A bold rosé can provide a burst of flavour to complement these dishes. Sparkling wine is another option for these styles of salmon dishes.
Additionally, for salmon sushi, a light-bodied and mineral wine like Muscadet Sèvre et Maine is recommended. Its marked acidity, minerality, and citrus-like taste complement the fattiness of the salmon.
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Wines for rare steak: Italian Sagrantino or Australian Shiraz are recommended
When it comes to wine and steak, it is best to get the pairing right. A good pairing means that the wine and food will complement each other, enhancing their respective flavours. For a rare steak, Italian Sagrantino or Australian Shiraz are recommended.
Sagrantino is a bold, full-bodied red wine with high tannins, produced primarily in the Montefalco region of Umbria, Italy. Its intense flavours of black cherry, blackberry, plum, and spice make it an excellent choice for pairing with a rare steak. The tannins in Sagrantino also help to soften the meat, creating a pleasant textural contrast.
Shiraz, also known as Syrah, is another robust and full-bodied red wine that pairs well with rare steak. Shiraz wines often exhibit flavours of black currants, black pepper, and vanilla, which complement the savoury notes of the steak. Australia is renowned for its Shiraz production, with regions like Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale producing some of the most sought-after Shiraz wines in the world.
When pairing wine with rare steak, it is important to consider the intensity of flavours in both the wine and the meat. A rare steak will have a more robust flavour and juiciness compared to a well-done steak, so a full-bodied and flavourful red wine is typically the best choice.
Additionally, the tannins in red wines like Sagrantino and Shiraz can help cut through the richness of the steak, providing a pleasant contrast. These wines also have the structure and complexity to stand up to the intense flavours of the rare steak, ensuring that neither the wine nor the food overpowers the other.
In summary, when it comes to wine pairings for rare steak, Italian Sagrantino and Australian Shiraz are excellent choices. These full-bodied red wines have the depth of flavour and structure to complement and enhance the savoury notes and texture of the steak, creating a harmonious dining experience.
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Wines for grilled chicken: Rosé, medium-bodied reds, or dry whites are versatile choices
Chicken is a versatile protein that pairs well with various wines. The basic principle is that you don't want to overpower the meat or the dish. A wine with a luscious fruit component and decent acidity could match a richer dish, but too much tannic structure may mask the flavours.
Rosé wine is a good choice for grilled chicken because of its medium body—sometimes an even better option than white or red. Look for dry rosés unless the sauce is sweet. A medium-bodied rosé will stand up to big flavours such as anchovy, olives, garlic, saffron and pimenton.
Full-flavoured reds can also be a good match for grilled chicken. A simple roasted chicken, for example, pairs well with a full-flavoured red, such as a Shiraz, Grenache or Zinfandel (not too big or oaky). Chicken coq au vin, cooked in dry Burgundy wine with rich flavours of shallots, garlic and mushrooms, comes alive with Merlot. With tomato and pepper-based sauces, try a medium-bodied French or Spanish red or a Merlot.
Dry whites are another versatile choice for grilled chicken. An oaked Chardonnay or a Pinot Noir can be a great pairing. If you have a dark, savoury gravy, go for a medium-bodied red like a Côtes du Rhône.
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