Filet mignon is a tender, flavorful cut of beef that is often served at upscale steak houses and fancy dinners. With its rich, buttery flavor and velvety texture, filet mignon deserves to be paired with a wine that can stand up to its boldness. But with so many wine options out there, it can be tricky to know exactly what wine goes best with filet mignon. In this article, we’ll walk through the best wine pairings for filet mignon and help you understand how to select the right wine for this decadent cut of meat.
How to Choose a Wine for Filet Mignon
When choosing a wine to pair with filet mignon, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Weight and texture of the wine – Filet mignon has a rich, heavy texture. You’ll want a wine that has enough weight and texture to stand up to the meat.
- Acidity – The wine needs enough acidity to cut through the richness of the filet mignon. Wines with too little acidity will taste flabby and dull with the steak.
- Tannins – Tannins help cleanse the palate and allow you to fully taste the next bite. Look for wines with gentle tannins.
- Flavor intensity – The wine should be flavorful enough not to be overpowered by the filet mignon.
Given the above considerations, these are some of the best types of wines to pair with filet mignon:
- Red wines – Red wines typically have the weight, texture and flavor intensity to stand up to red meat like filet mignon. They also often have higher tannin and acidity.
- Full-bodied wines – A wine with full body has the richness and intensity of flavor to complement filet mignon’s boldness.
- Oaked wines – Wines aged in oak pick up vanilla and spice notes that pair wonderfully with meat.
Now that we understand the characteristics that make a wine a good pairing for filet mignon, let’s take a look at some of the top recommended options.
Best Wine Pairings for Filet Mignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
When it comes to red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the best matches for filet mignon. Cabernet has all the hallmarks of a great pairing – it’s robust, full-bodied, and has bold dark fruit flavors along with tobacco and cinnamon notes from oak aging. The tannins and acidity cut through filet mignon’s richness beautifully. While Cabernets from California or Washington are always a safe bet, a bolder Cabernet from Chile or Australia can also stand up especially well.
Merlot
For those who find Cabernet to be too strong, Merlot is an approachable, food-friendly alternative. Merlot displays the same lush dark fruit as Cabernet, but tends to be lower in tannins with a softer, smoother mouthfeel. It has enough weight and richness to complement filet mignon, while remaining smooth, velvety, and easy to drink. To show off Merlot’s compatibility with filet mignon, go for a high quality wine from Napa Valley or France’s Bordeaux region.
Malbec
Lovers of big, concentrated red wines will delight in pairing filet mignon with Malbec. Hailing from Argentina, Malbec has an inky dark color and flavors of plums, blackberries, and chocolate. It has soft tannins but also boasts plenty of acidity to balance filet mignon’s fattiness. The smoky, spicy notes attained from oak aging add another layer of interest. Malbec’s luxurious texture pairs perfectly with the tender texture of the meat.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a great option for those who want a lighter-bodied red wine with their filet mignon. Good Pinot Noirs, particularly from California or Oregon, have notes of black cherry, spices, and earth that complement meat. The acidity cuts through the meat while the silky tannins don’t overpower. Pinot Noir is milder mannered than some bolder Cabernet or Malbecs, allowing the flavor of the filet mignon to shine.
Shiraz/Syrah
Like Malbec, Shiraz/Syrah is a profoundly colored, full throttle red wine that can stand up to filet mignon’s richness. Shiraz often shows jammy fruit flavors like plum and blackberry, heightened by signature black pepper spice notes. The best examples from Australia will have concentrated flavors thanks to ample sun and ripe fruit. French Syrahs are also an excellent match, as they combine lush dark fruit with savory, smoky qualities.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a unique match for filet mignon, as it has the spicy, bold flavors of a big red, while also boasting pronounced fruity notes. Ripe California Zinfandels brim with juicy red and black fruits, with black pepper and vanilla spice. The alcohol level is often higher, resulting in a wine with lots of flavor intensity. While the tannins are round and silky, there’s also plenty of acidity to cleanse the palate after a bite of the steak.
Other Factors that Influence Pairing
While we’ve covered the top classic pairings for filet mignon, there are a few other factors that can influence exactly how well a wine pairs with it:
How the Steak is Cooked
A rare filet mignon with a soft, red center calls for a very different wine than one that is well-done and browned throughout. Rare steak has milder flavors that won’t overpower a lighter Pinot Noir or soft Merlot. But a well-done filet needs a bolder, oakier wine that won’t taste dull next to the more charred meat.
Any Accompaniments
What other flavors are on the plate besides the steak? Does it have a wine-based sauce or pungent garlic butter? Or is it served alongside other strong flavors like charred onions or blue cheese? The side items and sauces served with the steak can shift the food’s overall profile. When in doubt, it’s smart to taste a bite of the entire dish before selecting a wine.
The Occasion
The setting where you’re enjoying filet mignon can also direct the wine choice. A special anniversary meal calls for a top shelf Cabernet or silky Pinot Noir. But a weeknight dinner or barbecue could pair just fine with a modest, budget-friendly Malbec. Think about the overall vibe you want with the meal when picking the wine.
Pairing Filet Mignon with White Wine
While red wine is the traditional pairing recommendation, white wine shouldn’t be forgotten as an option with filet mignon. Fuller-bodied whites with oak aging also complement the tender meat beautifully. Top white wine options include:
- Oaky Chardonnays from California or France
- Oaked Sauvignon Blanc
- White Rioja blends from Spain
- White wines with buttery and vanilla notes
The key is to avoid light, crisp whites like Pinot Grigio that would clash with the steak. Stick to whites with concentrated flavor, moderate acidity, and some time in oak barrels. Just like with red wine, tasting the entire plate with a sip of white wine is the best way to determine if it’s a pairing match.
Avoiding Pairing Mistakes
Now that we’ve covered the best wine options, it’s also helpful to keep in mind what wines to avoid with filet mignon:
- Light, fruity reds like Beaujolais or fruit-forward Pinot Noir can taste thin and watery.
- High-acid wines like Cabernet Franc or Sangiovese can taste sour.
- Delicate whites like Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Vinho Verde get overpowered.
- Sweet wines fight with the natural umami flavor of beef.
- Sparkling wines and Champagne tend to have too little weight.
- Heavy, ultra-tannic wines overshadow the delicate meat.
Keeping these pairings to sidestep allows you to focus on wines that beautifully complement filet mignon. Always default to the bolder, fuller-bodied red and white wines for a match made in heaven.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that filet mignon calls for a wine with some real presence and personality. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and other oak-influenced reds are safe bets that bring out the best in the tender meat. Don’t be afraid to also play around with bolder oaked Chardonnay or white blends as an unexpected match. With these wine pairing guidelines, you can confidently choose a bottle to make your filet mignon dinner complete.