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lwn.deWine with food. Our food recommendations.Wine with steak - from grill to carpaccio

Wine with steak - from grill to carpaccio

Four Cuts, Four Wine Worlds

From tender fillet to mighty T-bone

Every steak cut has its own character – and deserves a wine that matches it. Tender fillet needs elegance, marbled entrecôte demands structure, and a T-bone on the bone wants a wine with backbone.

Steak with red wine – watercolour illustration
12
Top Recommendations
5€
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Steak Cuts
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The old rule „red wine with steak“ falls short. A butter-soft Filet Mignon gets overwhelmed by a massive Bordeaux – an elegant Burgundy shines here. A fat-marbled Rib-Eye, on the other hand, needs tannins that cut through the fat. And raw tartare cannot tolerate heavy wines at all.

The decisive question is not „red or white?“, but rather: Which cut is on the plate? We have selected the perfect companions for every cut.

Fillet – Elegant Companions for the Tenderest Cut

Beef fillet with Pinot Noir – wine pairing

Fillet is the Rolls-Royce of steaks – butter-soft, lean, with delicate flavour. This noble cut cannot tolerate wines that overpower it. What’s needed is elegance and finesse rather than raw power.

Burgundian Pinot Noirs are the classic choice, but also fine-boned Teroldego from Trentino or silky Blaufränkisch from Burgenland harmonise beautifully. The tannins should be ripe and refined, the fruit present but not overwhelming.

Our Tip: Cook fillet medium-rare. At this doneness level, the delicate meat flavour unfolds best – and elegant wines can shine.
Budget Tip
SP68 Rosso IGT Sicilia
Sicily · Red Wine

SP68 Rosso IGT Sicilia

Arianna Occhipinti showcases Sicilian elegance: Frappato and Nero d’Avola blend into a juicy, light-footed red. Cherry, herbs, fine tannins – perfect with fillet without dominating it.

Amphora
Sgarzon Teroldego
Trentino · Red Wine

Sgarzon Teroldego IGT

Elisabetta Foradori has brought Teroldego to world renown. The Sgarzon matures in amphorae – the result is juicy, spicy and surprisingly elegant. Blackberry, violet and a hint of earth.

Biodynamic
Blaufränkisch Alter Berg
Burgenland · Red Wine

Blaufränkisch Alter Berg DAC

Gernot Heinrich works biodynamically at Lake Neusiedl. The Alter Berg showcases Blaufränkisch from its elegant side: dark cherry, pepper, silky tannins. A fillet companion with depth.

Entrecôte & Rib-Eye – Structure for Marbled Meat

Entrecôte with Cabernet Sauvignon – Wine Pairing

Entrecôte and Rib-Eye thrive on their marbling – the fat between the muscle fibres makes them juicy and aromatic. This intensity demands wines with structure and tannin that cut through the fat and refresh the palate.

Carignan from Priorat or Montsant, Mourvèdre from Provence or Syrah from the Rhône – these grape varieties bring the necessary power. Their tannins grip the fat, their spice complements the roasted aromas of the crust.

Our tip: Cut entrecôte at least 3 cm thick and sear briefly over high heat. This creates a perfect crust whilst the centre remains pink.
Old Vines
Trossos Vells
Montsant · Red Wine

Trossos Vells

„Old vines“ from Montsant – Carignan from 80-year-old vines shows depth without heaviness. Black fruit, Mediterranean herbs, mineral freshness. A hidden gem to pair with entrecôte.

Rhône Syrah
Syrah Saint-Jean
Rhône · Red Wine

Syrah Saint-Jean VdF

Philippe Gimel makes Syrah with soul at Mont Ventoux. Pepper, black olives, violets – classic Rhône aromatics, but with freshness and drinkability. The tannins grip without biting.

Priorat
Dits del Terra
Priorat · Red Wine

Dits del Terra

„Fingers of the earth“ – old Carignan from slate soils, biodynamically farmed. Terroir al Limit showcases Priorat without over-extraction: mineral, complex, with Mediterranean herbal spice.

Côte de Boeuf & T-Bone – Great Wines for Great Cuts

Côte de Boeuf with Bordeaux – Wine pairing

Côte de Boeuf, T-Bone, Tomahawk – these cuts are a statement. Aged on the bone, with a thick fat cap, intended for several people. Here the wine gets to play its part: Bordeaux cuvées, aged Rioja Reserva or a classic Barolo.

The bone releases aromas during cooking, the fat cap provides juiciness – the result is an intense flavour experience that calls for wines with complexity and maturity. Here the great names are fitting.

Our tip: Remove the Côte de Boeuf from the grill at 54°C core temperature and let it rest for 10 minutes. During this time, open the bottle – both need a moment.
Budget Tip
Château Falfas Côtes de Bourg
Bordeaux · Red Wine

Château Falfas, Côtes de Bourg AOC

Biodynamic Bordeaux without pretension. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot display classic Bordeaux elegance: blackcurrant, cedarwood, fine tannins. A real bargain.

Rioja Reserva
Fincas de Ganuza Reserva
Rioja · Red Wine

Fincas de Ganuza Reserva

Fernando Remírez de Ganuza is a perfectionist. His Reserva from Tempranillo and Graciano shows what Rioja can do: vanilla, tobacco, ripe fruit, silky tannins. Classic and timeless.

Barolo
Barolo Cannubi DOCG
Piedmont · Red Wine

Barolo Cannubi DOCG

Chiara Boschis runs one of the historic Barolo estates. The Cannubi comes from the most famous vineyard site: rose, tar, dried herbs, majestic tannins. A wine for special occasions.

Tartare & Carpaccio – Freshness with Raw Beef

Beef tartare with Champagne – wine pairing

Steak Tartare and Carpaccio showcase beef in its purest form. Raw, with just egg yolk, capers and Worcestershire, or paper-thin with olive oil and Parmesan – here the quality of the meat takes centre stage.

Heavy, tannic red wines would destroy this delicacy. Here light Pinots shine, fresh Rosés or – a surprise – vibrant Rieslings. The acidity refreshes, the subtle fruit complements without dominating.

Our tip: Chop the meat for tartare only shortly before serving – this keeps the texture optimal. Serve the wine well chilled (12-14°C).
Blanc de Noirs
Blanc de Noirs Sekt Brut Nature 2019
Rheingau · Sparkling Wine

Blanc de Noirs Sekt Brut Nature 2019

Peter Jakob Kühns Spätburgunder sparkling wine – uncompromisingly dry, fine perlage, brioche and red fruit. The Champagne alternative for tartare: the carbonation refreshes, the acidity cuts through the egg yolk.

Monopole
Bourgogne Clos de la Perrière Blanc Monopole 2022
Burgundy · White Wine

Bourgogne „Clos de la Perrière“ Monopole 2022

Chardonnay from a monopole vineyard site – only one producer owns this vineyard. Mineral, precise, with fine citrus fruit. Burgundian elegance with raw beef.

Pinot Noir
Oberbergener Bassgeige Spätburgunder 2023
Baden · Red Wine

Oberbergener Bassgeige Spätburgunder 2023

Franz Keller’s elegant Pinot from the Kaiserstuhl – VDP Erste Lage. Silky tannins, red cherry, subtle spice. Lightly chilled (14-16°C) the perfect German red wine with tartare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which wine pairs with beef fillet?

Fillet is the most tender steak cut and requires elegant companions. Burgundian Pinot Noirs, refined Blaufränkisch or Teroldego from Trentino harmonise beautifully. Wines that are too powerful would overwhelm the delicate meat.

Why does an entrecôte need different wines than a fillet?

Entrecôte and rib-eye have significantly more intramuscular fat (marbling) than fillet. This fat requires tannins to be „cut through“. That’s why structured wines like Carignan, Syrah or Mourvèdre work better here than elegant Pinots.

Does white wine pair with steak?

With classic grilled steak, not really – the missing tannins cannot balance the fat. But with steak tartare or carpaccio, a fresh Riesling or robust Pinot Blanc can be an exciting alternative. The acidity refreshes the palate.

Which wine with Wagyu steak?

Wagyu is extremely fatty due to its intense marbling. Here you need wines with high acidity and pronounced tannins that cut through the fat. Barolo, Priorat or a mature Châteauneuf-du-Pape are ideal partners.

Does the wine with steak always have to be expensive?

No! Our budget recommendations show that affordable wines also pair excellently with steak. The SP68 Rosso with fillet or the Château Falfas with côte de boeuf prove it: what matters is the style, not the price.

Discover all wines with steak

This selection shows only a portion of our recommendations. In our shop you’ll find over 60 wines with steak pairing suggestions – the right companion for every cut.

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