What wine goes best with steak?

Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec with richly marbled cuts like ribeye and strip; Merlot or Pinot Noir with leaner filet mignon.

Can you drink red wine with fish?

Yes, with oily, meaty fish such as salmon or tuna; choose a light red like Pinot Noir. Delicate white fish is better with a crisp white.

What wine goes with spicy food?

An off-dry Riesling or Gewurztraminer, or a cold lager. Their sweetness and lower alcohol tame the heat.

What wine goes with lobster?

A rich, oaked Chardonnay or Champagne, especially with drawn butter.

Wine Pairing Guide

A good wine makes a steak or seafood dinner feel like an occasion, and the basic rules are simple. Every main dish on Steak and Seafood now has a "Pairs with" line; this guide explains the thinking behind them so you can choose for yourself.

Four simple rules

Match weight to weight. Rich, fatty dishes like ribeye or short ribs need a full-bodied wine; light dishes like sole or shrimp need a light one.
Tannin loves fat. The drying grip of a young Cabernet is softened by a marbled steak, which is why the two are a classic.
Acid loves acid. Lemony, tomatoey or vinegary dishes need a wine with bright acidity, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chianti.
Sweetness cools heat. With spicy food, choose an off-dry white or a cold beer; high-alcohol reds make chile heat feel hotter.

What to pour with what

Dish	Try	Why
Ribeye, New York strip, sirloin, prime rib	Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec	Firm tannins and dark fruit stand up to rich, well-marbled beef and a charred crust. Try: Cast-Iron Ribeye with Garlic Thyme Butter
Filet mignon, beef tenderloin, beef Wellington	Merlot, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux	A lean, tender cut wants a softer, silkier wine that will not overpower it. Try: Filet Mignon with Red Wine Pan Sauce
Braised short ribs, pot roast, stews, ragu	Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon	Deep, savory braises match the peppery, full-bodied reds they are often cooked with. Try: Instant Pot Braised Short Ribs
Barbecue ribs, brisket, burgers, chili	Zinfandel, Syrah, or an amber ale	Ripe, jammy fruit and spice stand up to smoke and sweet barbecue sauce. Try: Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Lobster, scallops, crab	Oaked Chardonnay, Champagne	Rich, buttery shellfish meets a creamy Chardonnay; bubbles cut through drawn butter. Try: Broiled Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
Shrimp, clams, mussels, oysters, calamari	Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet, dry rosé	Crisp, mineral whites work like a squeeze of lemon on briny shellfish. Try: How to Shuck and Serve Raw Oysters
Salmon, tuna, swordfish	Pinot Noir, dry rosé	Oily, meaty fish can take a light red with soft tannins. Try: Lemon Herb Baked Salmon
Cod, haddock, halibut, sole	Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio	Delicate white fish needs a light, fresh white. Try: Baked Stuffed Fillet of Sole
Roast chicken, chicken in cream sauces	Chardonnay, Pinot Noir	Both flatter roasted and buttery flavors without overwhelming them. Try: Lemon Herb Roast Chicken
Pork chops, pork tenderloin, ham	Pinot Noir, dry Riesling	Pork loves fruit; a juicy red or a lightly sweet white both work, especially with apples or glazes. Try: Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Brussels Sprouts
Italian tomato dishes, lasagna, chicken parmesan	Chianti, Sangiovese	Bright acidity matches the acidity of tomato sauce. Try: Lasagna
Indian, Korean, Thai, Cajun and other spicy food	Off-dry Riesling, Gewürztraminer, cold lager	A touch of sweetness and low alcohol cool chile heat; high-alcohol reds make it burn. Try: Chicken Tikka Masala
Tacos, fajitas, enchiladas	Mexican lager, Malbec, Zinfandel	A cold beer is the classic; a fruity red handles grilled, smoky meats. Try: Carne Asada

Not drinking?

Sparkling water with lemon or lime does much of what a crisp white wine does. Unsweetened iced tea goes well with barbecue and burgers, and tart cherry or pomegranate juice with a splash of soda stands in for a red with steak. Try our Charleston Iced Tea too.

Please drink responsibly, and only if you are of legal drinking age.

Frequently asked questions

What wine goes best with steak?: Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec with richly marbled cuts like ribeye and strip; Merlot or Pinot Noir with leaner filet mignon.
Can you drink red wine with fish?: Yes, with oily, meaty fish such as salmon or tuna; choose a light red like Pinot Noir. Delicate white fish is better with a crisp white.
What wine goes with spicy food?: An off-dry Riesling or Gewurztraminer, or a cold lager. Their sweetness and lower alcohol tame the heat.
What wine goes with lobster?: A rich, oaked Chardonnay or Champagne, especially with drawn butter.

More guides: Wine pairing | Kitchen glossary | Substitutions | Kitchen conversions | Safe temperatures