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How to Pair Steak with Rosé

Nothing is quite like a perfectly grilled steak and a glass of wine. However, when the two are paired, we tend to default to the old “red wine with red meat” rule. The thought is that only red wine has the richness and texture to stand up to a steak’s robust flavors. But there are alternatives that can transform your steak pairing experience.

More delicate than red wine yet bold in personality, rosé is one of wine’s most versatile performers. Often enjoyed during warmer months alongside lighter cuisine, many rosé lovers now savor it year-round with heartier dishes, including steak. Gaining its color from black and red grapes, rosé shares many characteristics with red wine. Its versatility rests in the robust varieties used, its place of origin and expert blending.

With an array of pink hues, fruity notes, spicy finishes, zesty tannins and degrees of richness, rosé can complement a steak well. Below, accomplished sommeliers and wine experts around the country offer up their favorite rosé and steak pairings. Here’s the breakdown, cut-by-cut.

New York strip steak and Domaine de la Petite Mairie Bourgueil Rosé / Illustration by Julia Lea
New York strip steak and Domaine de la Petite Mairie Bourgueil Rosé / Illustration by Julia Lea

New York Strip

Coming from the short loin of a steer, the New York strip is one of the most iconic cuts of steak.

“I would definitely reach for a deeper style [for a New York strip],” says Amanda Schuster, a certified sommelier and author of New York Cocktails (Cider Mill Press, 2017). She’s also senior editor-in-chief of the online publication Alcohol Professor. “I am a big fan of Loire Valley rosés made from Cabernet Franc, which complements the earthy, savory, peppery flavors of the steak.”

Loire Valley, one of France’s most diverse wine regions, produces exquisite rosés from the variety. Along with its red berry aroma, Cabernet Franc is also known for its distinct herbal notes. Medium-bodied and light on the palate, it possesses the tannin strength to pair well with a strip steak.

Made entirely from Cabernet Franc, the Domaine de la Petite Mairie Bourgueil Rosé is a lovely option to get you started.

Top sirloin with Cantele’s Negroamaro Rosato / Illustration by Julia Lea
Top sirloin with Cantele’s Negroamaro Rosato / Illustration by Julia Lea

Top Sirloin

A top sirloin is a cut that comes from the primal loin, or hindquarters, of the steer.

“Low fat content yet firm texture make this a flavorful, full-on beefy steak,” says Eleanor Parker, manager of Atlanta’s Atlas Restaurant, which boasts an award-winning beverage program. She recommends a rosé with good acid, solid body and a lot of personality.

“My pairing would be a rosé of Negroamaro from Puglia, Italy, which can be earthy, complex and masculine,” says Parker.

Located in the southern region of Italy, Puglia is known for cultivating the Negroamaro grape, which produces bold, deep Italian red wines. Nicely structured, a Negroamaro rosé flaunts aromas of dark berries and licorice, and has a spicy, tannic finish. Cantele’s Negroamaro Rosato is a great top sirloin pairing.

Flank steak with Tinto Rey Estate Rosé and La Grande Cuvée Rosé Domaine Lafage / Illustration by Julia Lea
Flank steak with Tinto Rey Estate Rosé and La Grande Cuvée Rosé Domaine Lafage / Illustration by Julia Lea

Flank Steak

The flank steak comes from the lower abdominal muscles.

“This cut is thinner, so it can easily pair with a Spanish Tempranillo or a Grenache rosé,” says Sara Lehman, a certified sommelier and founder of wine blog Somm In The City. “These wines are bright and floral with nice fruit.”

Known for its bold red fruit and spiciness, Tempranillo is a black grape grown primarily in the Rioja region in Spain. Tempranillo rosés are commonly blended with Garnacha (known in France as Grenache). Grenache is dominant in most Southern Rhône wines, especially in the revered Châteauneuf-du-Pape Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC).

A Grenache rosé is fruit-forward, floral on the nose and tends to be lighter on the palate with low tannins. A favorite among Tempranillo rosé drinkers is Tinto Rey Estate Rosé. For a more Grenache-forward option, La Grande Cuvée Rosé Domaine Lafage, from Côtes du Roussillon, is a solid pairing.

Ribeye steak with Château d'Aqueria / Illustration by Julia Lea
Ribeye steak with Château d’Aqueria / Illustration by Julia Lea

Ribeye

Famous for its marbled fat that creates intense flavor, this steak is from the rib section, hence the name. It’s also one of the pricier beef options.

“This cut needs a rosé with tannin and a serious constitution,” says Parker. “I’d go with a Tavel, for sure. The Grenache/Cinsault/Syrah/Mourvèdre blends from this AOC are known for their rich, firm bodies, deep, fat-cutting tannins and spicy red fruits.”

The Tavel appellation is located in the Southern Rhône area of France. Said to be a favorite of Ernest Hemingway and King Louis XIV, it is one of the most renowned rosé appellations in Europe.

Its bottlings are known for darker pink hues, earthy aromas and strong tannins. Parker’s recommendation for a rosé and ribeye pairing? “Château d’Aqueria would be perfect,” she says.

Filet mignon with Le Morette, and Italian Bardolino Classico / Illustration by Julia Lea
Filet mignon with Le Morette, and Italian Bardolino Classico / Illustration by Julia Lea

Filet Mignon

Its distinctive texture and tenderness makes this a highly sought cut that comes from the smaller end of the tenderloin. When pairing wine with a filet mignon you’re looking for a selection that will not overwhelm the steak’s delicateness.

“With the cut’s low fat content and buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture, a filet can pair perfectly with softer, more tender rosés,” says Parker. She recommends an Italian Bardolino Classico, like Le Morette. “[These have] the personality and deep-red fruit backbone to stand up to a filet.”

The distinguished Bardolino Classico wine region is nestled on the southeastern shores of Lake Garda in northern Italy. Primarily blended with Corvina and Rondinella varieties, a Bardolino Classico is a dry wine with a delicate, fruity bouquet.

Hanger steak with Domaine de Rimauresq Côtes de Provence Cru Classé Rosé / Illustration by Julia Lea
Hanger steak with Domaine de Rimauresq Côtes de Provence Cru Classé Rosé / Illustration by Julia Lea

Hanger Steak

Taken from the lower belly, the hanger steak is also a thinner cut, like flank.

“Hanger steak preparations tend to be bit lighter,” says Schuster, who stresses the importance of taking the style of preparation into consideration when pairing.

“When I think about this cut, I think about [the] garlic and herbs it can be prepared with,” she says. “You can go for a fruitier, watermelon-y or citrusy, less-tannic pink that’s more easy-going. I think a Provençal style, very light or salmon pink, is a terrific option.”

In the Provence region of southeast France, rosé accounts for more than half of the wine produced. The grape varieties found typically in a Provençal rosé are Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, usually blended. Provençal-style rosés are dry, have higher acidity, lighter shades of pink and more fruit-forward notes. An elegant option is the Domaine de Rimauresq Côtes de Provence Cru Classé Rosé.

Prime rib with Ruinart's Brut Rosé / Illustration by Julia Lea
Prime rib with Ruinart’s Brut Rosé / Illustration by Julia Lea

Prime Rib

Coming from the best parts of the rib section, Lehman believes this bone-in steak “deserves the king of rosé—a rosé Champagne.”

“Sparkling wines, especially Champagne, can stand up to red meat beautifully,” says Lehman. “Pairing a bubbly like rosé Champagne works because of the acid and minerality in the wine, along with the delicious savory flavors, which work nicely with red and purple fruit notes and yeast flavors.”

Need a nudge in the right direction? Produced predominantly with Pinot Noir grapes, Ruinart’s Brut Rosé is iconic because it’s produced by the oldest Champagne house in France.

A Quick Guide to Steak and Rosé Pairings

Steak and Rose pairings
Infographic by Julia Lea