The old-school rule of thumb about drinking red wine with beef and white wine with chicken or fish has probably had its place and its time. Being the meat and wine connoiseurs that we are, we mix and match to find the most delicious pairings without regard to old-school rules! You should too, because  food and wine tastes are as individual as our favorite mascara or which jeans fit both our waists and our hips. 

You may know that we're very fond of Petit Filet of Beef Tenderloin and Meatloaf, but we enjoy ALL meats.  With grilling season upon us, we're especially excited about ribs right now.  The meat from a great set of slow cooked ribs just falls off the bone and melts in your mouth.  And delicous slow cooked ribs calls for a great pairing, like wine or champagne!

If you're new to champagne or you don't often drink wine, but want to serve it with your ribs, the wide variety of colors and flavors can be daunting. Don't panic, we have your back with these great tips on how to pair wine or champagne with ribs.

White Wines:

White wines are lighter and dryer then red wines, and when I drink wine I prefer an okay chardonnay. White wines work best with citrus-marinated ribs and dry rubs featuring lighter spices like garlic and parsley. The best white wine to drink with ribs are:

• Chardonnay - oakey and dry, but full-bodied
• Pinot Grigio - light and citrusy
• Muscat - Sweet and a good pairing with pork ribs

• Merlot - rich, smooth and velvety
• Cabernet Sauvignon - very dry and good with molasses-based bbq sauces
• Cotes du Rhone - deep, fruity and robust enough for the strongest spices

"Why drink wine when you can have champagne?" I always ask. Champagne goes with everything, but here are a few serving tips:

• Chill it - the colder, the better
• Use tall, fluted glasses to keep the bubbles fresh
• Extra Brut is driest, Doux is very sweet

Don't like to drink wine or Champagne?  Throw a mojito into the mix!  It's really all about personal preference and not about following old-school rules.  Break the rules; wear your white shoes after Labor day and pair the food and drinks according to your tastes.  You are your own best sommelier!  

People often assume that red wines are the only wines that pair well with steaks.  Au contrair, my food savvy friends!

While it's true that red meat is known for a big bold kick to your taste buds, white wines are not always wimpy.  Depending on the way you prepare your steak, the right white wine will pair splendidly.

I would like to offer you a few suggestions for the best varietals of wine to drink with steaks.  The way you prepare your steaks leads to which wine varietals will work best.  Spicy foods like a sweeter or more fruity pairing, while savory foods might like something buttery or peppery.

If you're planning on hosting guests for this upcoming summer season, try offering both whites and reds with your steaks. You might be surprised at your guests' response. 


Here are a few good wines to serve with steak -  

Steak prepared with asian and curry flavors
served with: Grilled Shitake Mushrooms with ginger and scallions

For this entree, you want to consider the spice, as well as the underlying flavor profile that the ginger adds to both dishes.  That tells me we can have a sweet white and a fruity red. 

White:  Riesling
Red: Zinfandel

The sweet overtones in these wines will help soften the spice while accenting the sweet.  Delish!

Dinner 2

Entree:  Southwestern steak prepared with chipotle peppers
Side: Grilled Polenta with Corn and Parmesan

I just love the rich smokey flavor of chipotle and it goes so well with sweet and earthy polenta.  I'm thinking we need something buttery and maybe smokey as well.

White: Chardonnay
Red:  Cabernet Sauvignon

The buttery Chard will have some oaky hints as well, which will enhance the chipotle and blend well with polenta.  The Cab will add to the 'kick' without overpowering it.  This is a smokin' combo.

Dinner 3

Entree:  Steak prepared with italian herbs 
Side: Insalata Caprese

Is anything better than the flavor combinations of grilled beef, basil, and fresh summer tomatoes?  Yes...the right wines to go with them.

White: Sauvignon Blanc
Red: Pinot Noir

Sauv blanc will be fine with this delicately herbed filet cut, and a good Pinot will stand up to the aromatic flavors without overpowering them.

Truly, the best wine to drink with steak is the wine that tastes best to you.  And don't let anybody ever tell you differently.  Bon Apétit!

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If you're grilling your steaks outdoors this summer, you'll definitely want to visit our Great Grill Set Giveaway page where you can enter to win one of 6 stainless stell grill sets we're giving away this summer!