Winter is definitely here, which means cold weather and heartier meals. This time of year, people are eating dishes that are heavier, richer, and have a ton of flavor compared to some of the lighter dishes that come to mind in the spring and summer. Steak is one of the most common dinners in the winter months, so we want to make sure that you are prepared with a wine that will pair well with your meal. There are a couple different styles that go well, but we want to make sure you know the best ones.

    First things first - it is extremely important to understand what you must look for when pairing a wine with steak.  Because most steaks have a high fat content, you will need a wine with either a ton of acidity or a ton of tannins. While two of the following wines are considered staples while eating steak, one of the wines we will talk about may catch you off guard. This is the first one that we will talk about, which is Alsatian Riesling.

    Riesling is a white grape that many people stray away from because it is commonly thought of as a sweet wine, but most Rieslings are actually on the drier side. Additionally, it is important to note that the acidity levels in Riesling are some of the highest in all wine produced. Alsatian Riesling, when made dry, is a very full bodied wine. There are a ton of flavors, complexities, and structure that will pair well with steak! While it may not be your normal pairing for red meat, this is one you should try, as you will most likely be pleasantly surprised! 

    The second classic style that is, and one that won’t break the bank, is Malbec from Argentina. If there is one thing that we know, it is that Argentinians love their red meat, so it is no surprise that the wine that they are most known for is a full bodied, very heavy, and tannic red. All of that intensity will match the flavors while the heavier tannin structure will cut through the fat.  

    The last wine is the most classic of them all, Napa Valley Cabernet. These are some of the most intense and full bodied wines in the world. Unfortunately though, good ones can be extremely pricey. Either way, this heavily flavored and structured wine goes very well with steak. The intense fruit flavors with the savory notes of terroir are a perfect palate pairing when it comes to steak. On top of that, the structure goes very well with the marbling of fat throughout a great steak. This is one of the reasons why steak house wine lists are filled with Napa Cabernet.  

    Next time you are having steak in a restaurant or you are cooking at home, try one of these three wines. You won’t be disappointed.