Beef stew is full of wonderfully rich flavors, and it is no secret that red wine pairs like a dream. However, there are many different things to consider when you are looking for the perfect wine to accompany your beef stew.
You should consider the tannins and acidity of the wine, but also the type of stew you have. Different wines will pair well with stews that are rich in tomatoes or root vegetables!
To find out about some of the best wine and beef stew pairings, just keep reading (Also check out Cottage Pie Food Pairings That Will Excite Your Day). You are going to love what we have to say.
Why Does Wine Pair So Well With Beef Stew?
Wine (red wine specifically) pairs so well with beef due to the tannins in the drink and the proteins in the meat. These two elements work together to create the perfect combination in the mouth, and help to release more of the flavor of the dish!
The fat in the beef decreases the astringency of the wine to make it taste less bitter and smoother, helping to bring out the more fruity flavors in it.
In essence, this pairing works so well because red wine and beef are opposites. Wine has dry and rough qualities, while beef has lubricating or slippery qualities. As such, this combination will always balance out and reduce the opposite sensation. This makes it a delightfully pleasing pairing – and one that is very well known.
Beef Stew & Wine Pairings You Need to Try
While we know that red wine pairs particularly well with beef (and by extension beef stew), there are a handful of wines that stand above the rest. These include Syrah, Shiraz, and Barolo, to name a few. If you want to find out about some of the best wines to pair with your beef stew, stick around to see what we have to say.
Beef Stew And Shiraz ☆☆☆☆☆
The notes of spice and black pepper in Shiraz come together perfectly when paired with a hearty and rich beef stew (Also check out Best Wine Pairings For Corned Beef & Cabbage). The delightful flavors of vanilla, dark chocolate, smoke, and jam will only add excitement to a meal, and contrast all the rich flavors.
If you are looking for the perfect Shiraz, Australia is known to be one of the best producers! However, make sure you stay focused when looking for ‘the one’, as you can easily get lost on the long and winding road.
When it comes to Australian Shiraz, the price can go both ways. Some bottles are incredibly affordable, while others will cost significantly more.
The more expensive options will be aged in oak, but no matter the price, you will love this drink when paired with any beef stew.
If, on the off chance, you would like a wine that is less fruity and has more of a herbal flavor, why not try a French-based Syrah? This wine is made from the same grapes as the wonderful Shiraz, but it has notes of tobacco, spice, smoke, leather, and herbs, too.
Syrah is fantastic for those intimate settings, while Shiraz is always going to be a crowd-pleaser and great for larger events.
Beef Stew And Nero D’Avola ☆☆☆☆
This medium-bodied red wine is from Sicily and is known for its delicious dryness. In terms of flavor, Nero D’Avola is a delicious mix of raspberry, plum, and black cherry.
You can expect notes like licorice, mocha, and espresso, which all work wonderfully when paired with the natural flavors of your beef stew.
Nero D’Avola is both high in tannin and acidity, so make sure to pair it with chunks of beef to tame it a little. The acidity of the wine is excellent for cleansing the palate of the flavorful stew sauce.
If you are looking for a particular kind of beef stew to pair this wine with, we would recommend something tomato-based.
Beef Stew And Cabernet Sauvignon ☆☆☆☆
Cabernet Sauvignon is such an excellent pairing for beef stew due to the high tannin and rich flavor of the drink. The grippy tannins found in a young Cabernet Sauvignon can be tamed by the hearty and rich beefy flavor.
This will help to soften up the beef to make it taste even better if that is at all possible in the first place.
Pairing this wine with beef will help to bring out the delightfully fruity flavors of the drink, including blackberry, black cherry, plum, and blackcurrant.
Young Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect for beef stews that have not cooked for hours, while aged Cabernet Sauvignon is fantastic for slow-cooked stews.
This is because the complex flavors of the slow-cooked stew will complement the flavors of the aged wine. You can enjoy flavors like leather, green peppercorn, tobacco, and smoke in the aged varieties.
Cabernet Sauvignon from California is particularly good, with rich blackberry and plum flavors, and a hint of tobacco and mint leaf. If you want to keep costs down, there are many other places that produce exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, too!
You can get some delicious bottles from Chile for as little as $20, or find Australia’s bottles with delightful notes of eucalyptus, chocolate, and white pepper to pair with your beef stew.
Beef Stew And Côtes Du Rhône ☆☆☆☆
As another medium-bodied red wine, Côtes du Rhône is another delicious option for pairing with a beef stew. This wine is a nice blend of earthy and fruity flavors, making it versatile and great for pairing with all kinds of dishes – so it’s a must in any kitchen.
The notes of smoke, black pepper, and meat mean that this wine works exceptionally well with stews with mushrooms and root vegetables.
When you pair this wine with a thick and rich dish, the fruity flavors like blackcurrant, strawberry, and raspberry offer something refreshing and wonderfully smooth.
Côtes du Rhône is a blend of 23 different kinds of grapes, and producers vary greatly. However, this particular wine has been crafted to accompany food and bring out the best in everything.
So, no matter who produces it, you will always find a bottle that will be perfect for every occasion. If you have a choice, though, we would always recommend Côtes du Rhône Villages – it’s fantastic if you enjoy complex flavors.
Beef Stew And Barolo ☆☆☆☆
This fascinating red wine pairs especially well with beef stews that have a lot of tomato flavors in them. The tannin in Barolo works perfectly with the acidity and works to hold up the tomato flavors in the stew to create the ultimate pairing.
Beef stews with root vegetables, truffles, and mushrooms will pair beautifully with aged Barolo. The aged wine has a distinct bitterness, with notes of truffle, tar, licorice, brown spice, and dark chocolate.
These all fit wonderfully with the earthy and delicious flavors of the stew in question.
Although this wine usually needs several decades of aging before being worthy of enjoyment, you can still enjoy young Barolo. This wine will be best served with dishes like beef stew or something else protein-based and fatty, in order to soften the wine.
You can enjoy notes of star anise, plum, violet, raspberry, and roses from young Barolo.
Reserve young Barolo for beef stews that have not had too much time to cook. That way, the wine can be tamed by the flavors of the stew, while still offering delightful notes of gar, smoke, and tobacco.
Why Pair Beer With Your Beef Stew?
Many beers have a malty flavor that simply works like a dream with slow-cooked meat. The caramelized flavors and notes complement the richness of the meat, making the pairing something you should definitely explore if you enjoy beer.
Two of the best beers to try with your beef stew include English Brown Ale and Dark Mild, so why not give it a try?
Summary Of The Best Wines And Beef Stews
Looking for a quick summary? Take a look at this table to help you make a decision about the next wine you serve with your favorite beef stew. There are plenty of delicious options!
| Type of Wine | Wine Variety | Type of Food | Overall Rating |
| Red Wine | Côtes du Rhône (Red) | Beef stew (root vegetables & mushrooms) | ☆☆☆☆ |
| Red Wine | Cabernet Sauvignon | Beef stew | ☆☆☆☆ |
| Red Wine | Barolo | Beef stew (heavy tomato flavor) | ☆☆☆☆ |
| Red Wine | Nero d’Avola | Beef stew (heavy tomato flavor) | ☆☆☆☆ |
| Red Wine | Vinsobres | Braised Beef stew in Red Wine | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Red Wine | Aglianico | Irish Beef stew | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Beer | English Brown Ale | Beef stew | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Beer | Dark Mild | Beef stew | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Red Wine | Petite Sirah | Beef stew | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Red Wine | Syrah | Beef stew | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Red Wine | Shiraz | Beef stew | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Final Thoughts
The rich flavors and heartiness of beef stew mean that you should always have a red wine to enjoy it with. Although there are so many wine varieties in the world, there are a handful that just seem to work.
These varieties include Shiraz, Syrah, Nero d’Avola, Côtes du Rhône, and Cabernet Sauvignon, among others.
When you are picking out the perfect wine, make sure to take into account the other ingredients that are going into the stew. You should also take note of how long the stew cooks, as these two factors will influence the best pairing option.
Younger wines tend to go better with stews with quick cooking times, while aged varieties pair well with slow-cooked beef.
The presence of ingredients like root vegetables, mushrooms, and tomato will also play a role in which wine will be best for the dish!
I can offer you articles and information about wine from a seasoned sommelier, and now a winemaker too! I hope that you enjoy some of our articles, and start thinking outside of the box when it comes to wine.
- Why Does Wine Taste Better With Age? - June 14, 2023
- What Does It Mean When A Bottle Of Wine Is Corked? - June 14, 2023
- Wine Fridge Vs Wine Cellar – Which One Should You Choose? - June 14, 2023