Rosé with Steak? 5 Rosé and Steak Pairings to Level Up your Halloween Party

Laura in Food & Drink Sep 18 • 21 min read

For the longest time, steak has been synonymous with red wine. However, in the evolving world of wine pairing, there’s a new contender on the rise—rosé.

Rosé wines, often dismissed as too light or summery, are quite versatile and can offer the perfect balance to a hearty steak. In this blog, we'll explore why rosé works so well with steak, break down what to look for in a rosé, and offer five expert pairing suggestions.

Why Rosé Works with Steak

Traditionally, steak has been paired with red wine because the bold flavors and tannins in reds stand up to the rich, fatty meat. But the assumption that only red wine works with steak overlooks the potential of rosé. The color and flavor profile of rosé wines range from light and fruity to rich and robust. This diversity makes rosé a perfect, and often overlooked, companion for steak. Here’s why:

Tannins and Acidity: Many rosé wines, particularly those with deeper colors, contain moderate tannins and acidity. These qualities help cut through the fat in steak, balancing out the richness and enhancing the meat's flavors.
Fruit Forwardness: The fruitiness of rosé can complement the savory notes of the steak, bringing out flavors that may be missed with heavier red wines.
Versatility: Rosé is adaptable. Whether you’re grilling, pan-searing, or preparing a steak tartare, rosé can bring out the best in a variety of steak dishes.
Seasonality: Rosé offers a refreshing alternative, especially in warmer months, when a heavy red wine might feel too overwhelming with a steak.

Understanding Rosé Styles for Steak Pairing

Not all rosés are created equal. Some are too light and fruity to pair with steak, but others have the depth and complexity to complement it beautifully. Here are the key elements to consider:

Color: The color of rosé provides a clue about its weight and structure. Deeper, more robust rosés often have extended skin contact with the grape, which extracts more tannins and body—qualities that can hold up to a rich steak.
Grape Varieties: When pairing rosé with steak, consider rosés made from hearty red grape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. These grapes typically offer more tannin and structure, making them ideal for steak.
Regions: Look for rosés from regions known for bold red wines, such as Tavel in France. Tavel rosé, made from Grenache and other Rhône varieties, is one of the most robust styles and works exceptionally well with steak.
Rosé Champagne: Don’t overlook rosé Champagne. Its effervescence and acidity make it a surprisingly great pairing for steak, particularly with lighter preparations like steak tartare.

5 Expert Rosé and Steak Pairings

Now that we understand why rosé and steak are a match made in culinary heaven, let's dive into five specific pairings that will elevate your next steak dinner.

1. Bone-In Ribeye with Château d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé, Tavel, France

Why We Love It: This rosé from the Tavel region of Southern Rhône is bold, structured, and perfect for a hearty ribeye. Made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, the wine undergoes extended maceration, which imparts a rich color and complex flavor profile. It has tannins, acidity, and body to stand up to the fatty, flavorful ribeye.
Ingredients: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
Price: $24
Perfect Pairing: The richness and fattiness of a bone-in ribeye are beautifully balanced by the tannic structure and vibrant acidity of the Tavel rosé. The wine’s red fruit and slight herbal notes enhance the savory and slightly charred flavors of the steak.

2. Skirt Steak and Carne Asada with Tablas Creek Dianthus Rosé, Paso Robles, California

Why We Love It: Tablas Creek's Dianthus Rosé is a blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, Counoise, and Cinsault. It has the richness you’d expect from these hearty grapes but is also bright and refreshing, making it ideal for grilled carne asada or thinly sliced skirt steak.
Ingredients: Mourvèdre, Grenache, Counoise, Cinsault
Price: $40
Perfect Pairing: Skirt steak, especially when marinated for carne asada, has bold flavors that need a wine with a bit of weight but also acidity. The Dianthus rosé delivers both, with red berry notes and a sea-breeze freshness that pairs well with the smoky and spicy flavors of the steak.

3. Steak Tartare with Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé, Champagne, France

Why We Love It: This 100% Pinot Noir rosé Champagne is as luxurious as it gets. Its deep pink color signals its richness, while the bubbles and high acidity cut through the richness of raw beef. This pairing adds elegance and sophistication to steak tartare, enhancing the freshness of the dish.
Ingredients: Pinot Noir
Price: $100
Perfect Pairing: Steak tartare’s raw, finely minced beef needs a wine with sharp acidity and effervescence to cleanse the palate. Laurent-Perrier's rosé Champagne brings bubbles and bright red fruit flavors that refresh and uplift every bite.

4. Pepper Steak with Channing Daughters Rosato di Lagrein, The Hamptons, New York

Why We Love It: This rosé, made from the Lagrein grape, is a rare find outside of Italy. Its bold structure, spicy notes, and bright fruit make it an excellent pairing for pepper steak. The wine’s slightly peppery finish echoes the flavors of the dish, creating a harmonious experience.
Ingredients: Lagrein
Price: $25
Perfect Pairing: Pepper steak’s piquant flavors are complemented by the peppery undertones in the Rosato di Lagrein. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the beef, while its spicy finish enhances the cracked black pepper in the steak.

5. Filet Mignon with Chateau d’Esclans Garrus, Provence, France

Why We Love It: Chateau d’Esclans Garrus is a top-tier rosé, made from old-vine Grenache, Rolle, and Syrah, aged in French oak. This luxurious rosé has a creamy texture, ripe fruit, and toasted notes, making it a sublime pairing for a tender filet mignon. The wine’s complexity and elegance elevate the dish to new heights.
Ingredients: Grenache, Rolle, Syrah
Price: $125
Perfect Pairing: Filet mignon is a lean cut, so it requires a wine with complexity but not overwhelming tannins. Garrus rosé, with its delicate oak influence and bright acidity, enhances the subtle flavors of the filet without overpowering them. The wine’s crispness also adds a refreshing contrast to the buttery texture of the steak.

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Discovering the Perfect Rosé and Steak Pairing

Pairing steak with rosé might seem unconventional at first, but it’s a combination that’s sure to delight your taste buds. The key is to choose a rosé with enough body, structure, and acidity to complement the richness of the steak. Look for deeper-colored rosés made from hearty red grape varieties, and don’t hesitate to explore rosé Champagne for lighter steak preparations.

For your next steak night, consider branching out from the usual red wine and opt for one of these rosé pairings. You might just find that the versatility and complexity of rosé enhance your meal in ways you never imagined. Whether you're grilling up a bone-in ribeye or serving a refined filet mignon, rosé offers a refreshing, unexpected twist on classic wine pairings.