Meat + Wine Pairings that are Perfect for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a dinner date out on the town or staying home for a cozy night in with your loved one. If you need some recipe ideas for what to cook, you can find some recipes that are Cupid-approved here and here. If you are looking for ways to honor those New Year’s resolutions and make these recipes more mindful, here are some simple Valentine’s Day recipe swaps. Once you decide what to make, you are going to want to pour a glass or two of wine, but what wine goes with which foods? Here is a basic guide to favorite meats and wine pairings that are perfect for Valentine’s Day. Salute!

Beef

 When serving up beef or steak for V-Day, your wine selection will depend on the type of beef or steak you prefer. For fattier cuts of meat like ribeyes and T-bones, you will want to choose a bold wine with higher tannins. Think of red wines like a Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Syrah/Shiraz. These wines can stand up to the rich flavors of the meat. For leaner cuts of beef like filet mignon and sirloin, choose a lighter-bodied red wine like a Pinot Noir or Merlot. For braised or roasted beef (hello slow cookers), look for full-bodied red wines like Bordeaux blends. You can also opt for a rich Italian red wine like a Barolo or Brunello.

If you like white wine, you can try a dry Riesling or a medium-bodied Champagne to provide a refreshing contrast to the savory beef. Another way to enjoy white wine with beef is if the beef is cooked with a cream sauce. If that is the case, try an Oaked Chardonnay. Its full body and richness complement the beef and sauce.

Here are some of our favorite Beef Steak and Beef Roast recipes from our Discover Blog.

Bison

When enjoying bison, select wines like a Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, or a Tempranillo, which balance the bison’s lean, slightly sweet flavor without being overwhelmed by tannins. You can also opt for a Malbec, Syrah, or Zinfandel, which offer fruit-forward or savory notes to complement the meat. These go great with bison burgers, as does a lighter-bodied wine like Gamay.

Here are some of our favorite Bison recipes from our Discover Blog.

Chicken

Chicken is such a versatile meat; it goes with almost any wine. Here is a quick breakdown on which wines to pair with what chicken: 

• Creamy chicken dishes or roasted chicken go great with Chardonnay. Roasted chicken also goes well with Pinot Noir. Any chicken dish with earthy tones or mushrooms can also be served with Pinot Noir, as well as chicken served with tomato-based sauces.
• Grilled chicken pairs nicely with a Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc.
• Pinot Gris is a good standby wine for all types of chicken preparations.
• Fried chicken or spicier chicken dishes can be paired with Rieslings. Fried chicken also goes great with a sparkling wine like a champagne or prosecco, while spicier chicken also pairs well with rosé wines.

Here are some of our favorite Chicken recipes from our Discover Blog.

Duck

Duck, like beef, will depend on its type of preparation to select the proper wine pairing. Pinot Noir is a classic choice and goes especially well with duck breast, as does Malbec. Syrah is a good selection of wine when cooking duck with a crispy skin or duck served with a peppery sauce. When cooking up a Peking duck or any duck with a fruit glaze like a plum sauce, opt for a Gamay, Merlot, or Zinfandel. If you prefer white wine, a Pinot Gris is a good choice for lighter preparations, but you can also enjoy it with duck dishes made with fruity or spicy elements.

Here are some of our favorite Duck recipes from our Discover Blog.

Elk

If you are enjoying elk for Valentine’s Day, opt for a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah/Shiraz, which are all excellent pairings due to their structure and complexity. Other good wine options include Pinot Noir, which pairs well with earthy flavors from elk. You can also choose a bold Italian red wine like Barolo or a structured Zinfandel.

Here are some of our favorite Elk recipes from our Discover Blog.

Lamb

Lamb is a lovely meat option for Valentine’s Day, and if you are looking for a wine pairing to match, you cannot go wrong with a classic robust red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Syrah. For lighter preparations or grilled lamb, consider medium-bodied wines like dry Rosé, Malbec, or Pinot Noir. If the lamb dish includes a rich sauce or is slow-cooked, look for wines like Bordeaux, Tempranillo, or Italian reds such as Barbera or Chianti.

Here are some of our favorite Lamb recipes from our Discover Blog.

Pork

Just like with many meats, the best wine for pork will depend on the preparation method and sauce. A versatile wine pairing for pork is a medium-bodied red wine like a Gamay or Pinot Noir. For richer pork dishes, like BBQ pork, try a full-bodied red wine like a Merlot or Zinfandel. For leaner pork dishes, like a pork tenderloin, or pork dishes topped with creamy sauces, opt for a rich white wine like a Chardonnay or a crisp, refreshing Riesling.

Here are some of our favorite Pork recipes from our Discover Blog.

Rabbit

Rabbit is a meat that goes great with a light-bodied wine like a Pinot Noir. Rabbit made with simple preparation goes great with a Gamay. If you are including a sauce, go with Chardonnay for a pan-fried rabbit or a Syrah if the rabbit is being served with a plum sauce.  If the rabbit is prepared with a tomato-based sauce, an Italian Montepulciano or Sangiovese can be a good choice.

Here are some of our favorite Rabbit recipes from our Discover Blog.

Salmon

Wild-caught salmon pairs well with an Oaked Chardonnay or a light-bodied Pinot Noir. For an herb-crusted salmon, go with a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc. Smoked salmon also goes great with a dry rosé wine or a sparkling wine.

Here are some of our favorite Wild-caught Salmon recipes from our Discover Blog.

Seafood

If you are serving seafood for Valentine’s Day, think of items like scallops or shrimp, even whitefish like black cod (Sablefish) or halibut, go with a white wine like a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc. Seafood served in a creamy sauce or a richer dish or recipe goes well with Chardonnay. Sparkling wines go well with fried or rich seafood, while a red wine, such as a Pinot Noir, complements fattier fish cuts like salmon or tuna.

Here are some of our favorite Wild-caught Seafood recipes from our Discover Blog.

Wine for the Valentine’s Day Win

This year, for Valentine’s Day, if you decide to stay in and cook a meal for you and your someone special, consider a wine pairing. If you are unsure where to start, use this simple guide, and you are sure to have a delicious Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!