The best wine pairing with beef stroganoff varieties is red wines like Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, and others. Why exactly do those wine pairings match beautifully with this rich Russian dish? Keep reading to find the complete answer.
Wine pairing with beef stroganoff: 3 Rules of Thumb
Wine pairings for any meal, including those with rich flavors like beef stroganoff, are based on three fundamental principles: contrast, compliment, and personal preferences.
Wine Pairing Rule 1: Contrast
Variety is the spice of life! That’s what the contrast principle means in wine pairings. A contrasting wine can be enjoyable when you have a piece of a classic dish or one with rich sauces. For example, many people enjoy having sparkling wines with very salty foods because the wine offers a good contrast.
Wine Pairing Rule 2: Compliment
Contrast may not be the right choice. When you’re enjoying wine with beef stroganoff, sometimes you want a wine with a heavy flavor profile to match it. In this case, an Old World wine with oak influence and earthy mushroom notes might be a good choice.
Wine Pairing Rule 3: Personal Preferences
Your wine with beef preferences might not align with traditional wisdom. For example, you might dislike the tannin content of red wines – even soft tannins. Further, you might prefer the ample acidity of refreshing white wine. Does that mean you’re somehow wrong?
Not at all.
Your taste buds always matter! If you prefer a wine with a citrus fruit flavor, pick a light wine like Riesling (or even a bottle of brandy) with Beef Stroganoff. The same can be said for Nero d’avola or an Alsatian Riesling. Of course, you might get a funny look from a server or sommelier for this unconventional pairing. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Wine Pairing With Beef Stroganoff: The 3 Best Red Wines Options
Your search for beef with wine pairings is over. Whether you like côtes du rhône or an affordable option, you’ll find plenty of good options below. To make life easier, I’ll largely avoid aged bottles because they tend to be more expensive and difficult to find.
1 Syrah (also known as Shiraz)
This red wine variety is so popular that it has multiple names! In France and elsewhere in Europe, it is usually called Syrah. In Australia, the United States, and other New World wine regions, it is typically called Shiraz.
Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage (Rhone, France, under $50)
This dry French wine is made 100% from Syrah grapes. The wine has also earned multiple awards, including at the Japan Wine Challenge and the International Wine Challenge. The full-bodied wine offers notes of blackberries and plums. The secondary flavors include spices and leather. The wonderful natural flavors of this wine are enjoyable now and have aging potential.
d’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia, $60+
This Australian Shirtz bottle has earned an above 90 score from more than 100 wine reviews. Black fruits like blackberries and plums are dominant here. This is perfect if you love a robust red wine with plenty of tannins. If you prefer softer tannins, try a different bottle.
2 Grenache
This red wine grape variety is mainly grown in Australia, the United States, Spain, and France. Let’s start with a French wine with more than a hint of acidity.
Stephane Vedeau La Ferme du Mont Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vendange (Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France, $40+)
This French wine offers a rich mix of flavors, including strawberries and plums. In addition, you’ll experience cocoa and cinnamon in the glass. Like many red wines from the Rhone, this bottle offers a blend of three grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.
Charles Smith K Vintners The Boy Grenache (Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, $0+)
While this wine has a similar blend as the wine above, it offers a different experience. The wine’s primary flavors include herbal notes, raspberry, and flowers. Some tasters highlight meat notes in the wine’s taste components.
3 Cabernet Franc
This wine variety is popular in Ontario, Canada, where I live, partly because it thrives in a colder climate. It is also the perfect wine for beef stroganoff’s bold flavors. It pairs well with traditional beef stroganoff dishes.
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie
Produced in the Loire Valley in France, this wine has been well-reviewed in Wine Enthusiast. This Cabernet Franc combines fruit notes with mineral qualities like many Old World wines. The wine also has aging potential, so consider getting a few bottles to age.
Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Franc (Niagara, Ontario, Canada, $70+)
Take note, Canadian wine lovers! This bottle of Cabernet France has plenty to offer. The wine is barrel aged in French oak for 20 months to add a wonderful smoky note. In addition to Beef Stroganoff, this wine also pairs well with cheddar cheeses and other beef entrées.
Beef Stroganoff Recipe Options
Making a hearty dish like beef stew or beef stroganoff can be challenging. The right bottle of wine will make dinner better. For guidance on choosing the right cuts of beef and related matters, check out these recipes
Fans of this beef dish may want to make a large batch of beef stroganoff to serve their entire family. Most of these recipes include several servings, so feel free to make adjustments if you desire.
Classic Beef Stroganoff – 40 minutes cooking time
The Betty Crocker recipe includes creamy sauce and makes six servings.
Beef Stroganoff – 30-minute recipe
Recipe Tine Eats offers helpful advice on selecting the suitable beef tenderloin for this rich dish.
Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe – 30 minutes
Gimme Some Oven walks you through the significant ingredients like steak, noodles, and mushrooms. The beef stroganoff variations section (e.g., how to use ground beef or a gluten-free option) is one of the best parts of this recipe.
Wine Pairing With Beef Stroganoff Conclusion
Red wines like Shiraz, Grenache, and Cabernet Franc are the best wine pairings for beef stroganoff’s flavors. Find your favorite pairing by trying a few variations of this food-wine pairing. If you enjoy beef and wine pairings, check out this post next: the best wine with steak.
