The Perfect Wine Pairings for Ribeye Steak

A true delight for meat lovers, ribeye steak pairs wonderfully with homemade fries, a medley of vegetables, or mushrooms. Whether grilled on the barbecue, aged, pan-seared, or cooked on a griddle, this dish is universally appreciated. A well-chosen wine can elevate the flavors of this meal. Discover our tips for selecting the perfect wine, château, and appellation to complement your ribeye steak, along with the best wine pairings for beef.

Wine Pairing with Ribeye Steak

Ribeye steak is a robust red meat with a rich, blood-like flavor, making red wine particularly recommended for pairing. Depending on how the meat is cooked, you can vary your wine choice and appellations. If you prefer your steak rare or blue, opt for a young red wine. The pronounced tannins of a young wine pair wonderfully with this style of cooking. For a steak cooked medium or well-done, choose more evolved red wines with softer tannins that enhance the flavor of the red meat.

For a pan-seared ribeye steak, Bordeaux red wine is an excellent choice. Bordeaux wines, from prestigious châteaux, consistently pair well with meat dishes. Consider a Pomerol, a Saint-Émilion cru, a Médoc, or a Saint-Julien. These structured, characterful Bordeaux wines balance the dish perfectly. Alternatively, a wine from Languedoc or the Rhône Valley, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, offers a sunny profile with notes of red fruit and garrigue, complementing your homemade meal.

What Wine to Drink with Barbecue Ribeye Steak?

In summer, grilling ribeye steak on a griddle or barbecue imparts an incomparable smoky flavor and a beautiful crust. For a barbecue ribeye steak, choose a red wine with softer tannins, like those from Burgundy.

Consider a prestigious Bordeaux wine, such as a Pomerol or Médoc. A Rhône Valley wine from the southern region, like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, also pairs well. If you prefer a more robust red, a powerful Corsican wine would be an excellent choice.

Which Wine to Drink with Oven-Roasted Rib of Beef?

When served roasted, rib of beef calls for a powerful red wine with a generous, full-bodied palate. This prized cut, loved by meat enthusiasts, pairs well with red or black fruit notes depending on the wine’s style. Wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, the king of Bordeaux grapes, offer a deep color, strong tannins and a rich mouthfeel that complement tender or rare meat perfectly.

If you enjoy generous cuvées, a Syrah-Marselan blend from Languedoc is a classic and friendly choice. These wines often deliver ripe fruit notes with hints of dark chocolate, a great match for wood-fired grilled meat. It’s a harmonious pairing for wine lovers or friendly dinners.

What Wine to Drink with Aged Ribeye Steak?

Just like wine, beef improves with age. An aged ribeye steak is a cut of meat that has been left to mature to develop its full flavor potential. Once reserved for connoisseurs, aged meat is now increasingly available at butchers or specialty stores. Aging enhances the meat's intense flavor and marked taste.

To accompany an aged ribeye steak, opt for red wines made from Syrah. This grape variety is the star of the Northern Rhône Valley, so wines like Côte Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, or Hermitage offer wonderful pairings. You can also enjoy aged ribeye steak with sunnier wines, such as Gigondas, a Provence wine, or a red from Languedoc-Roussillon.

Best Food and Wine Pairings with Rib of Beef

Clearly, one of the best pairings remains rib of beef with a structured red wine. Languedoc-Roussillon wines are appreciated for their rich fruit, concentration, and warmth. Choose an AOC Corbières, AOC Minervois or IGP Pays d’Oc for a perfect match. These terroirs offer a good balance between fruit, freshness, and silky tannins.

For more sensitive palates, a red Burgundy with delicate fruit can be an excellent alternative, especially with more thoroughly cooked meat. Some wines offer a smooth texture that softens the intense meat flavor without overpowering it.

Ribeye steak is the star of red meats. To accompany this choice cut and your recipe, Avenue des Vins offers a selection of the best red wines, domains, châteaux, and French appellations. Shipped directly from the châteaux and vineyards, these bottles will elevate all your family and friend gatherings. For all your occasions and recipes, we also offer white wine, rosé wine, and champagne.