Last Updated: October 12, 2022
A classic English dish, beef Wellington is a tender beef filet with shallots and browned mushroom wrapped in prosciutto and finished with a buttery pastry crust.
Beef Wellington is sweet and savory. The tender and juicy meat inside its flaky crust become even more flavorful when complemented with good wine.
However…
Not all wines will make beef Wellington a treat to the taste buds. The challenge is to find one that will not overpower its natural flavors.
If you are on the lookout for the best wine to go with beef Wellington, read on and learn from some of our selections.
The Best Beef Wellington Wine Pairing
For the flavors of beef Wellington to come out, you need a dry and medium-bodied red wine. The choices abound, but some of the best are those that we’ll recommend below.
1. Bordeaux
A classic when it comes to wine pairing beef Wellington, Bordeaux is from the largest wine-growing region in France. The majority of the wines from such are red wines.
This complex wine has primary flavors of black currant, plum, violet, and cedar. There are also white varieties, but for beef wellington, we recommend red.
If you are a new wine drinker, however, Bordeaux might not be the best choice for you. The complexity of this vino may not be appreciated by most people who are inexperienced in drinking wine. Plus, most bottles are expensive, although you can also find affordable alternatives.
One of the best options for this wine is the Les Hauts de Lagarde Bordeaux Rouge. Aside from its tannic mouth, the medium-bodied Bordeaux is also known for its fruitiness and roundness. It has a crimson robe and purple reflections.
2. Merlot
As far as red wines go, Merlot is one of the perennial favorites, making it another unmistakable pick for beef Wellington pairing. It has a notable flavor from black cherries.
In America, it is the second most popular grape flavor.
It is elegant, soft, and ripe, resulting in an easy-drinking wine that is ideal even for beginners.
A good bottle of Merlot has enough acidity that balances the sweetness of the wine.
Take note, however, that Merlot adapts to its growing region, so there can be significant differences in its taste depending on where it is from.
For the best beef Wellington pairing, one option that should be on your radar is Three Wishes Merlot, an affordable picnic wine. Flavor-wise, you can expect a mix of blackberry, blueberry, plum, cranberry, and cherry.
3. Malbec
Taste more of the savory flavors of beef Wellington when you enjoy it with Malbec. It is plump with dark fruit flavors and a smoky finish.
If Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are too expensive for your taste, then you will love Malbec since it is an economical alternative.
The primary tasting notes of Malbec include black cherry, pomegranate, blackberry, raspberry, plum, raisin, and blueberry. Vanilla, dill, coconut, chocolate, mocha, black pepper, molasses, and coffee can also be present, depending on the specific wine.
You will have plenty of choices, including the Alamos Malbec 2018. It is a medium-bodied red wine with a fruit-forward flavor from dark cherry, black cherry, and plum. The wine also has soft tannins. This will make a great addition to dinner parties, especially for beef Wellington pairing.
4. Pinot Noir
A light fruity red wine with high acidity, Pinot Noir is one of the most popular red wines in the world. It can cut through the buttery crust of a Wellington and will make the flavors of beef filet stand out. It is earthy, which pairs perfectly well with mushrooms, shallots, and onions, among other ingredients in a beef wellington.
Drinking Pinot Noir will leave your taste buds refreshed, so you won’t be confused with the flavors of the dish you are enjoying.
You can find bargain bottles, but a lot of the cheap ones taste candied, so you might want to spend a bit more for the best drinking experience.
If you are looking for nice beef Wellington wine pairings, consider Line 39 Pinot Noir. It has a unique flavor because it has been through stainless steel fermentation instead of oak aging.
5. Chianti Classico
Chianti is a vast Tuscan wine-growing region. Chianti Classico is the oldest area in the region, which stretches from Florence to Sienna. It has a pure Sangiovese taste that will make beef Wellington more delicious.
This Italian red wine has a pink label with a Black Rooster seal, which is one of the ways by which you can differentiate it from a Chianti.
It has a true Chianti taste with tell-tale notes of violets and red berries. While it is made to complement tomato-based Tuscan delicacies, it will also be great when you drink it when eating beef Wellington.
When buying a Chianti Classico, take note of the three levels. The first is Annata, which is the standard wine. The next is Riserva, which needs 24-month aging before commercial release. The third is Gran Selezione which must be aged for 30 months and should be from a single estate.
The choices are quite limited compared to other wines on this list. We recommend Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico for wine pairing beef Wellington. It has firm acidity and velvety tannins with a rosemary finish.
6. Syrah / Shiraz
Do not be confused. Whether it is Australian Shiraz or French Syrah, they are the same wines.
They are amongst the darkest red wines. It is so dark that you will have a hard time seeing through the liquid even if you look at it through light.
It is a full-bodied red wine, which makes it heavier compared to most of our recommendations for beef Wellington wine pairings. Most of these wines taste sweet when oaked.
With firm tannins and brisk acidity, it has a full range of flavors, including herbs, bacon, smoke, black and red fruits, and black and white pepper.
Make the most out of beef Wellington by eating it with Don Simon Seleccion Shiraz. It has a floral lilac aroma, as well as flavors of wild fruits and a spiced base. On the palate, the wine is pleasant and juicy.
It is a multi-awarded wine with recognitions from the Bacchus International Wine Competition, International Wine and Spirit Competition, and International Wine Challenge.
Taste Test: It's not always beef as the star of the dining table. Sometimes it's fowl or even pasta! How about ham? Hmmm...tastes yummy or yucky? Find out in our post here together with its wine pairings -- Ham Wine Pairing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What wine goes with mushroom Wellington?
A great vegetarian alternative to traditional beef wellington, mushroom Wellington goes well with Vin Jaune wine, a unique wine from the eastern region of France. The wine is fresh and dry with slight oxidation. The rest of the world is yet to know about this wine, but when you pair it with mushrooms, you will understand why such wine is great.
What wine goes with chicken Wellington?
If you would rather have chicken than beef in a Wellington recipe, then Pinot Noir is a good wine choice because it has enough tannins but is lower than a Cabernet Sauvignon. The result is an earthy flavor that will complement the taste of chicken.
Conclusion
For the best beef wellington wine pairing, medium-bodied vinos are the best. From Bordeaux to Chianti Classico, the wines mentioned above will make the perfect complement to puff pastry and beef filet.
Are there other wines that you suggest we drink with beef Wellington? Leave a comment below and let us know what we should drink next!
