As wine enthusiasts and food lovers, we’re always searching for the perfect wine to pair with our meals. One of our favorite dishes to pair with wine is filet mignon. The tender, flavorful cut of beef has a lot of characteristics that make it a great match for many different types of wine.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the best wine for filet mignon and the basic principles of wine pairing to help you choose the perfect bottle for your next steak dinner.
Characteristics of Filet Mignon
Before we dive into the best wine pairings for filet mignon, it’s important to understand the characteristics of the dish. Filet mignon is a tender cut of beef tenderloin that is known for its mild flavor and juicy texture.
You won’t receive the deep, beefy flavor that you would with a Ribeye steak or New York Strip since it has less fat. But you’ll get a mild, somewhat sweet-flavored steak that, when cooked correctly, is soft enough to cut with a fork.
Filet mignon is typically cooked to a medium-rare or rare temperature to preserve the natural flavors of the meat.
When pairing wine with filet mignon, it’s important to choose a wine that won’t overpower the flavor of the meat. The wine should complement and enhance the flavors of the dish rather than compete with them.
Basic Principles of Wine Pairing
When it comes to finding the best wine pairing for filet mignon, there are a few basic principles that can help guide your choices.
The first principle is to match the intensity of the wine with the intensity of the food. This means that you should pair a lighter wine with a light dish, while a full-bodied wine should be paired with a rich, flavorful dish.
The second principle is to match the flavors of the wine with the flavors of the food. For example, a wine with fruit-forward flavors would pair well with a dish that has a fruit-based sauce.
Best Red Wine for Filet Mignon
The most popular wines to pair with filet mignon are red wines, particularly bold red wines, and for a good reason. Red wines have a lot of characteristics that complement the flavors of the meat. The best red wine for filet mignon includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine that has a lot of tannins and a rich, complex flavor. It’s a great match for filet mignon because it can stand up to the bold flavors of the meat.
Mature Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of black cherry, vanilla, and smooth chocolate that complement the beef flavor of the dish. It also has good acidity, which helps to cut through the steak’s fat, bringing out its juicy flavor.
Merlot
Merlot is a medium-bodied red wine made from Merlot grapes featuring flavors of black cherry, plum, and spice. It has softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, which can make it one of the best red wines for filet mignon that has been cooked to a medium or medium-rare temperature.
When selecting a Merlot to pair with filet mignon, look for a wine that has been aged in oak, as this can impart additional flavors of vanilla and spice that can complement the beef. A Merlot from California or Washington state can be a good choice, as these regions are known for producing high-quality Merlots with complex flavors.
Malbec
Malbec is a red wine made from a grape variety of the same name and is primarily grown in Argentina. Malbec is known for its rich, full-bodied flavors of dark fruit, spice, and velvety chocolate, as well as its smooth tannins. It can be a great pairing for red meat like filet mignon, as the wine’s bold flavors can complement the rich taste of the beef.
When pairing Malbec with filet mignon, look for a wine with a moderate to high level of tannins, as this can help cut through the meat’s richness. The wine’s fruit-forward flavors can also provide a nice contrast to the meaty steak. Consider selecting a Malbec that has been aged in oak, as this can impart additional flavors of vanilla, spice, and tobacco that can complement the beef.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a lighter red wine that has subtle red fruit flavors and slightly less tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Some consider it the best red wine for a filet mignon with subtle flavors, such as a filet mignon cooked rare. Its light tannins will not overpower the meat’s buttery texture.
Pinot Noir has fruity flavors that complement the freshness of the meat as well as the flavors of a fresh salad paired with the beef steak. Serve the wine slightly chilled to enhance its refreshing acidity, which will cut through the richness of the steak.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a red wine made from the Zinfandel grape and is primarily grown in California. It is known for its bold, fruit-forward flavors of blackberry, raspberry, and spice, as well as its high alcohol content.
Zinfandel wines have a lot of fruit flavors that make them a great match for filet mignon with a rich sauce. The fruit flavors in the wine can help to balance the intensity of the sauce and enhance the flavors of the meat.
White Wines for Filet Mignon
While red wines are the most popular choice for pairing with filet mignon, white wines can also be a great choice. The best white wines to pair with filet mignon are Chardonnay, Rioja Gran Reserva, and young Bordeaux.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a popular wine pairing for filet mignon, as it can complement the mild flavor of the beef without overpowering it. Chardonnay is a white wine that can range in style from light and crisp to rich and buttery, depending on factors such as the region where it was produced, the aging process, and the winemaker’s style.
When pairing Chardonnay with filet mignon, consider choosing a wine that is full-bodied and has a moderate to high level of acidity. This can help balance the richness of the meat and provide a balance of flavors. Look for Chardonnays from regions such as Burgundy, California, or Australia, which are known for producing high-quality Chardonnays.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva is a red wine made from Tempranillo grapes and is produced in the Rioja region of Spain. It is a full-bodied wine with complex flavors of dark fruit, oak, vanilla, and spice.
The bold flavors of Rioja Gran Reserva can complement the delicate flavor of filet mignon, and the wine’s tannins can help balance the meat’s richness.
Young Bordeaux
Young Bordeaux is a red wine made from a blend of grapes, typically including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and is produced in the Bordeaux region of France. Young Bordeaux is known for its bold flavors of dark fruit, tobacco, and leather, as well as its high tannin content.
When pairing young Bordeaux with filet mignon, look for a wine with a good balance of tannins and acidity. The tannins can help cut through the richness of the beef, while the acidity can provide a refreshing contrast.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to pairing wine with filet mignon, there are a lot of options to consider. Whether you prefer a classic pairing like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, or you want to try something new like Rioja Gran Reserva, there is a wine out there that will complement the flavors of your dish. Keep the basic principles of wine pairing in mind and experiment with different wines to find the perfect pairing for your next steak dinner.
Now that you’ve learned about the best wine for filet mignon, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Try pairing different wines with your favorite filet mignon dishes and see which combinations you like best. And if you’re looking for more wine-pairing tips and tricks, be sure to check out our other articles on wine and food pairing.
