Few pleasures in life rival a perfectly cooked steak paired with a glass of exceptional red wine. The richness of premium beef, the satisfying char from the grill, and that mouth-coating texture demand a wine with equal depth and character. After nearly six decades in the wine trade, we've learnt a thing or two about what makes the perfect red wine pairing for steak. Here are our top picks, featuring timeless classics from Bordeaux, Barolo, and Shiraz.
Bordeaux – Where Elegant Structure Meets Savoury Perfection
Bordeaux reds have earned their reputation through centuries of winemaking excellence. These wines offer a masterful balance of dark fruit, carefully integrated oak, and firm tannins that slice through the richness of a ribeye or sirloin with surgical precision. Cabernet Sauvignon, the backbone of many Left Bank blends, delivers structure, concentrated cassis flavours, and just enough grip to transform a simple steak dinner into something genuinely memorable.
Our recommendation: the 2023 Château Graves du Champs des Chails from Bordeaux. This supple, cassis-driven claret showcases silky tannins that won't overwhelm, making it absolutely perfect for sirloin or côte de boeuf. It's the sort of wine that reminds you why Bordeaux remains the gold standard for serious red wine.
Nebbiolo – Uncompromising Character from Piedmont
From the rolling hills of Piedmont comes one of our most exciting discoveries: the 2009 Cascina Ebreo Torbido Nebbiolo. This isn't your typical Barolo – it's something far more rebellious and authentic. Crafted by Swiss-born Peter Weimer, who traded corporate life for winemaking in 1991, this wine was actually rejected from Barolo DOCG classification for being unfiltered. Their loss, our gain.
The Torbido opens with intoxicating aromas of liquorice, coffee, black cherry, and tobacco, then reveals itself as fresh, structured, and powerfully built on the palate. Aged for 30 months in Austrian oak and released only when ready, this wine offers layers of rich red fruit and earthy spice, finishing with that signature liquorice note that makes it absolutely brilliant with marbled steak. It's uncompromising, textural, and designed for those who appreciate individuality – much like the perfect ribeye.
Shiraz – Bold Fruit Meets Spicy Sophistication
When you're grilling steak with peppercorn sauce or embracing those smoky barbecue flavours, Shiraz becomes your natural ally. These wines deliver rich blackberry fruit, warming spice, and velvety tannins that complement robust flavours without being overwhelmed. Australian Shiraz, in particular, offers the warmth and intensity that makes steak night feel genuinely indulgent rather than merely satisfying.
Our top choice here is the 2018 Tar & Roses, 'The Rose', Shiraz from Heathcote. This wine brims with dark fruit and liquorice, finished with a hint of peppery spice that's absolutely brilliant with chargrilled sirloin or even a classic steak sandwich. It's the sort of wine that makes you understand why Australian Shiraz has conquered wine lists worldwide.
The Art of Perfect Pairing
After decades of matching wines to meals, we've learnt that the secret to the perfect steak wine lies in balancing power with flavour. Bordeaux brings elegance and structure to the table, Barolo offers perfume paired with serious backbone, and Shiraz delivers bold fruit wrapped in warming spice. Whichever direction appeals to your palate, each glass will elevate your steak night from ordinary to extraordinary.
Your Questions Answered
Customers often ask us about the best red wine for steak, and our answer remains consistent: full-bodied reds like Bordeaux, Barolo, and Shiraz are unbeatable matches, thanks to their tannins and flavour depth.
Can white wine work with steak? Whilst less traditional, a rich Chardonnay or oaked Viognier can complement leaner cuts or cream-based sauces beautifully.
Do expensive wines always pair better? Not necessarily. The key lies in structure and flavour intensity, and we stock excellent steak wines across every price point.
Explore our full range of Bordeaux wines, Italian reds, and Australian Shiraz online, or visit us at our Fulham and Wimbledon shops for personalised recommendations. After all, the perfect pairing is always a conversation away.
