Pairing Wine with Beef 🍷
Slowly winter is coming into our lives again. The best time when things slow down is to spend more time in the kitchen. Let's talk about Beef this week: steak, eye fillet, or burgers, some wines will sublime your dish more than others.
Cabernet Sauvignon:
A full-bodied wine with tannins. It's a classic match for the richness of red meat, and the fruit notes pair nicely with tomato-based sauces.
This wine exhibits the signature characters of the Coonawarra; aromas of blackberry, cassis and choc-mint with a palate of dark fruits, balanced by firm but long tannins.
Merlot:
Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but with less tannin and more fruitiness. It takes on the same bold flavors as its cousin but makes for a slightly lighter pairing that might feel better during warmer weather (or when you're craving a summery steak salad).
A velvety rich Merlot with delicious plum and berry flavours that is accentuated by a soft and pleasing oak aroma. Enjoy with chargrilled Beef Eye Fillet on mash and a side of freshly steamed asparagus.
Shiraz:
Unlike the previous two, this is a spicy wine. The high alcohol content and smoky notes make it an ideal pairing for steaks covered in herbs and spices or served with chimichurri sauce.
A medium bodied Shiraz complimented with flavours of blackcurrants and dark chocolate, with rich aromas of licorice, red fruits and gentle tannins on the finish.
Pinot Noir:
This is another light red that works well when you don't want to overwhelm delicate flavors like salmon or vegetables on top of your steak (or if it's just a little too warm out for anything bigger than an easy-drinking bottle). The low acidity means it won't clash with certain sauces either; mushroom gravy would be excellent!
Nericon Pinot Noir has a distinctly elegant balance of red berry and cherry flavours that linger on the palate. This pinot noir has fresh acidity which is complemented by fine tannins. Perfect to serve with Pork Ragu and Mussels in Tomato and Chilli.
Wine pairing is fun and doesn't have to be complicated.
The general rule would be: the bolder, the better but remember that food & wine are fun! Go crazy, try new things! At Dee Vine Estate, we stand for the wine to be accessible and not too serious.