Planning a scrumptious feast? Maybe with a Lancaster Brand Ribeye as the star? If you are racking your brain over what wine to serve with the meal, we have the solution. Well-balanced, red wines with firm, smooth tannins and oak flavorings tend to pair well. Here’s a quick rundown on five wines that you may want to consider serving with your meal:
Bordeaux
When it comes to beef roast, a full-bodied, dry, Bordeaux with liberal amounts of tannin often works best. Many Bordeaux wines have a sharp, mineral flavor to them that just seems to enhance the flavor and texture of the beef. The taste of the wine varies depending on the wine maker. Conduct a taste test before deciding on a particular brand of Bordeaux with your special meal. If you don’t want to go with a premium Bordeaux, some Bordeaux blends also pair nicely with beef.
Wine Recommendation: Chateau Malbat – Red Bordeaux
Shiraz
Shiraz wines pair well with a succulent roast beef. It is a full-bodied, dry, red wine with smooth, firm tannins. Oftentimes, it carries a hint of black pepper, smoke and cloves. It is sold as a blend or as a varietal. Australian Shiraz is one of the best when it comes to varietals. Its high acidity and balance of tannins tend to pair well with fatty cuts of meat.
Wine Recommendation: Layer Cake – Shiraz
Rioja
If you prefer a full-bodied, dry, red wine that’s bold and spicy, try a Rioja that has been tempered with Tempranillo. Aged wines tend to have a pleasing, subtle flavor of herbs and plums that pair well with strong spices.
Wine Recommendation: Marques de Murrieta – Rioja Reserva
Cabernet Sauvignon
If you want a full-bodied, dry, red wine that has sufficient tannins and notes of oak, try a Cabernet Sauvignon. The flavor of a well-seasoned beef roast, such as a Peppered Roast Beef, is able to stand up to the inherent pucker power of the tannins. The wine also tends to pair well with richer cuts of beef, such as a Lancaster Prime Rib Roast.
Wine Recommendation: Raymond – Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Merlot
Last but not least, Merlot pairs well with roast beef, too. It is a full-bodied, aromatic, red wine. It often contains a hint of currants, vanilla, cloves and black cherries. It is an excellent choice for those wine drinkers that are not accustomed to the strong tannins found in other red wines.
Wine Recommendation: Wente Vineyards – Merlot
Now that you’ve got the perfect wine, how about taking your roast to the next level for your guests? For the Peppered Roast Beef recipe, as well as other great recipes and tips for Lancaster beef, as well as pork and lamb roasts, log onto www.youtube.com/ACME and check out the ACME’s 12 Roasts of Christmas.