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Food & wine pairing

Best wine with steak

Big, ripe reds with enough tannin to cut through char and fat.

How are you cooking it?

ClassicChargrilledPeppercorn sauceChimichurriSlow-cooked

Peppercorn sauce: Shiraz’s own pepper notes echo the sauce; savoury Tempranillo is a smart second.

Shiraz

Ripe dark fruit and a peppery edge that loves a charred crust. The Aussie default for good reason.

  • Same weight as the dish, so neither drowns the other
  • Fresh acidity lifts the flavours and cleans up each bite
  • Firm tannin is softened by the fat and protein
See all 64 →

Why it works Dish Wine

Weightrichness vs body
Aciditytang vs freshness
Fat / tanninfat softens grip
Sweetnessdish vs wine

Tempranillo

Savoury, medium-bodied and food-friendly. A good pick if Shiraz feels too heavy.

  • Lighter than the dish: best with a lighter version of it
  • Fresh acidity lifts the flavours and cleans up each bite
See all 8 →

Why it works Dish Wine

Weightrichness vs body
Aciditytang vs freshness
Fat / tanninfat softens grip
Sweetnessdish vs wine

Cabernet Sauvignon

Firm tannin grips the fat in a marbled ribeye or scotch fillet and leaves your mouth clean for the next bite.

  • Same weight as the dish, so neither drowns the other
  • Fresh acidity lifts the flavours and cleans up each bite
  • Firm tannin is softened by the fat and protein
See all 45 →

Why it works Dish Wine

Weightrichness vs body
Aciditytang vs freshness
Fat / tanninfat softens grip
Sweetnessdish vs wine

Malbec

Plush and plummy with softer tannin. Great with leaner cuts and chimichurri.

  • Same weight as the dish, so neither drowns the other
  • Fresh acidity lifts the flavours and cleans up each bite
See all 4 →

Why it works Dish Wine

Weightrichness vs body
Aciditytang vs freshness
Fat / tanninfat softens grip
Sweetnessdish vs wine

Tip

The fattier the cut, the firmer the tannin you can handle. On a hot day give reds 15 minutes in the fridge; around 16 to 18°C tastes best.

Best avoided

Delicate whites and light, crisp styles get flattened by a big steak.

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About steak and wine

Today’s picks run from $7.94 to $18.33 a bottle, chosen for value from 121 matching wines across the Australian retailers we compare. Six-packs and dozens are shown as a price per bottle.

Questions

What wine goes best with steak?

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec are the best matches for steak. Ripe dark fruit and a peppery edge that loves a charred crust. The Aussie default for good reason.

What’s a good cheap wine with steak?

Winesmiths Premium Cabernet Merlot 2000ml is the cheapest of today’s picks at $7.94 a bottle from Cellars. Prices are checked every 4 hours.

What wine should I avoid with steak?

Delicate whites and light, crisp styles get flattened by a big steak.

More pairings

All pairings →
LambCabernet Sauvignon · Shiraz · GrenacheBBQShiraz · Grenache · RoséBurgersShiraz · Malbec · GrenachePorkRiesling · Pinot Noir · Pinot GrisRoast chickenChardonnay · Pinot Noir · Pinot GrisDuckPinot Noir · Nebbiolo · Grenache

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