Pairing wine with filet mignon is an excellent choice. The right glass of wine does wonders to make your favorite steak better. To understand the ideal wine pairings, it’s helpful to understand how filet mignon, a perfect steak, tastes.
Filet Mignon Flavors: What You Need To Know For A Delightful Pairing Experience
Filet mignon is a lean cut of beef with a mild, buttery flavor and a tender texture. Therefore, compelling wine with filet mignon pairings requires a full-bodied wine with a robust flavor profile.
Filet mignon is a prime steak cut known for its tender texture and beefy flavor. It is one of the most sought-after cuts of meat and pairs well with various wines. Regarding wine pairing, filet mignon can be enjoyed with red wine.
The cut of filet mignon is taken from the tenderloin, a long, narrow strip of meat that runs along the cow’s spine. It is one of the most expensive cuts of beef because it is the most tender and has a high-quality beefy flavor. The filet mignon is usually served in small portions, making it an ideal choice for an upscale dining experience.
Regarding wine pairing, a glass of red wine is the traditional choice for serving with filet mignon. A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or a fruity Merlot can complement the meat’s richness and enhance its flavor. However, some diners prefer to pair their filet mignon with white wine, such as a buttery Chardonnay, which can provide a refreshing contrast to the steak’s beefy flavor.
A rich sauce can also be a great accompaniment to filet mignon, such as a red wine reduction or a creamy mushroom sauce. These sauces can add a depth of flavor to the steak and pair well with a glass of red wine.
Overall, pairing wine with steak is about finding the right flavors. A tender filet mignon can be enjoyed with various wines, and experimenting with different pairings can enhance your dining experience and elevate your taste buds to new heights.
Red wines to pair with filet mignon
You’re about to host a dinner party and want to offer a great culinary experience? Start with your wines with steak pairing with the following ideas. Generally, focusing your wine selection efforts on full-bodied red wine is the best bet.
Red wine grape varieties are the most popular choice for pairing with filet mignon. The tannins in red wine cut through the richness of the steak, enhancing its flavor. Some of the best red wines to pair with filet mignon include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Malbec.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the classic choice to enjoy with filet mignon. The wine pairs effectively with steak because it has a high alcohol content and tannin content, which makes it a perfect pairing for a rich, meaty dish like filet mignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its dark fruit flavors, which can complement the beef flavor of the steak. Check out Low Tannin Cabernet Sauvignon if traditional Cab Sauv isn’t your favorite.
When in doubt, pour a glass of wine from your favorite bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, and you’ll enjoy your favorite steak even more. When possible, look with a Cabernet Sauvignon with some bottle age to enjoy even more complex layers of flavor.
Merlot
Merlot is an ideal match for filet mignon. It has a lower tannin content than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a softer and more approachable option. Merlot is known for its fruit flavors, such as black cherry and plum, which can complement the beefy flavors of the steak.
Malbec
Malbec is a lesser-known wine variety but a fantastic wine to pair with filet mignon. It has a full body and a high tannin content, which can cut through the meat’s richness. Malbec is known for its dark fruit flavors, such as blackberry and black cherry.
Malbec, especially French Malbec, might become your favorite choice of wine with steak if you give it a chance.
Syrah/Shiraz
Syrah/Shiraz is a bold and spicy wine that is an excellent match for filet mignon. It has a high tannin content and a meaty flavor profile that can complement the beefy flavors of the steak. Syrah/Shiraz is also known for its dark fruit flavors, such as blackberry and blueberry, which can enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
The best red wine varieties for pairing with filet mignon are those with high tannin content and dark fruit flavors. These wines can complement the steak’s beefy flavors while cutting through its richness. Don’t let this list stop you from trying other options – Pinot Noir’s flavors might bring your perfect pairing. After all, your personal preference for leaner steaks vs a meaty steak may mean that a classic pairing is not the best choice for you.
Should You Pair White Wines With Filet Mignon?
Filet mignon is traditionally paired with red wine, but can it also be enjoyed with white wine? We sought the opinions of two wine experts to see what they had to say about this unconventional pairing.
Filet mignon is one of the most expensive cuts of steak, and you don’t want to ruin the dining experience with a mediocre pairing. Red wine, especially a full-bodied option like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, can hold up to the meat’s rich buttery texture.
Lighter wines can work well with filet mignon. Cuts of steak can vary in flavor and texture, and filet mignon is one of the more delicate options. A lighter-bodied white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or a dry Riesling, can complement the tenderness of the meat without overpowering it.
White wines (and most light-bodied wine options) are not the typical pairing with filet mignon, but they can be a solid choice for those who prefer dry wines. However, Broglie emphasizes the importance of considering the quality of the wine. Expensive bottles of white wine may have the depth of flavor and complexity needed to hold up to the meat’s richness.
While white wine may not be the traditional pairing for filet mignon, it can be a suitable choice for those who prefer lighter or dry wines. However, it’s essential to consider the quality of the wine and the specific cut of steak being served before making a decision. Ultimately, the best wine pairing is the one that brings out the flavors of the dish and enhances the dining experience.
Wine With Filet Mignon: Recommended Red Wine Bottles
If you’re dining out and the wine director doesn’t have suggestions, try the following suggestions. This robust wine list includes Cabernet grapes and other options that pair well with Filet Mignon and other types of steaks.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is often seen as the ideal pairing for filet mignon. Find your perfect bottle from this list of award-winning wines.
Château Montrose 2018 – This French wine has earned a score of 95 from Wine Spectator. It has a full-bodied structure with soft tannins and a fruity flavor profile. The winery website describes it as having natural flavors of black fruits and vanilla notes.
Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – This American wine scored 92 from Wine Enthusiast. It has a full-bodied structure, soft tannins, and a black fruit flavor profile. The winery website notes that it pairs well with grilled meats and is a perfect wine for special occasions.
Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2018 – Another French wine that has earned a score of 94 from Wine Advocate. It has a full-bodied structure, soft tannins, and a black fruit flavor profile. The winery website notes a long finish with vanilla and spice notes.
Merlot
Enjoying Merlot wine with filet mignon is another wonderful way to enhance your steak dinner. This full-bodied wine goes well with every single bite of steak.
Château Petrus 2018 – This French wine has earned a score of 97 from Wine Spectator. It has a full-bodied structure with soft tannins and a fruity flavor profile. The winery website notes that it pairs well with game meats and has a long, complex finish.
Leonetti Merlot 2017 – This American wine has earned a score of 95 from Wine Enthusiast. It has a full-bodied structure, soft tannins, and a black fruit flavor profile. The winery website notes that it pairs well with rich dishes and has a velvety texture.
Château Canon-La-Gaffelière 2018 – Another French wine that has earned a score of 95 from Wine Advocate. It has a full-bodied structure, soft tannins, and a black fruit flavor profile. The winery website notes that it has a long finish with spicy notes.
Syrah
In North America, Syrah is often called Shiraz. Syrah and Shiraz are the same wine grape. Shiraz and Syrah wine bottles are good pairing choices for filet mignon.
Sine Qua Non Syrah 2018 – This American wine has earned a score of 96 from Wine Advocate. It has a full-bodied structure, soft tannins, and a black fruit flavor profile. The winery website notes a long, complex finish with hints of pepper and smoked meat.
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2017 – This French wine has earned a score of 95 from Wine Spectator. It has a full-bodied structure, soft tannins, and a black fruit flavor profile. The winery website notes that it has a long finish with spicy notes.
Delas Frères Hermitage Les Bessards 2016 – Another French wine that has earned a score of 95 from Wine Advocate. It has a full-bodied structure, soft tannins, and a black fruit flavor profile. The winery website notes that it pairs well with game meats and has a long, complex finish.
Wine With Filet Mignon Conclusion
The delicate flavors of filet mignon are best enjoyed with full-bodied red wines. Picking up a bottle of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Shiraz is a good choice. Consider medium-bodied red wines such as Cabernet Franc and Grenache if those bold flavors don’t work.
