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Best Wine Pairing with Steak: Expert Tips from C|Prime’s Team

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At C|Prime restaurant steak is the star of the show but the right wine to pair with steak can turn a good dinner into one of those “we’re still talking about it next week” nights.

With a wine list that ranges from iconic labels to B.C. favourites and Italian classics, our team spends a lot of time thinking about what actually works in the glass when there’s a serious steak on the plate.

This guide walks you through how to pair wine with steak at C|Prime, using the styles and regions you’ll find on our list, so ordering your next bottle feels easy instead of overwhelming.

Wine to Pair with Steak: Why the Match Matters

Steak has fat, char, salt, and richness. Wine brings acidity, tannin, fruit, and aroma. When you get the match right:

The fat in the steak softens firm tannins in the wine.
Acidity keeps each bite feeling clean instead of heavy.
Aromas in the wine echo the grill, herbs, and sauces on your plate.

That’s why our list leans into bold reds from B.C., Italy, France, and beyond. Plus a handful of whites and sparkling wines for guests who like to do things differently.

Wine to Pair with Steak: Start with the Cut

The first step is simple: look at your steak. A tomahawk for the table needs a different wine to pair with steak than a delicate filet mignon.

Ask yourself:

Is the cut rich and well-marbled or lean and tender?
Are you adding butter, jus, or peppercorn sauce?
Are you sharing family style or ordering your own plate?

Then match the weight in the glass to the weight on the plate.

Read Also: Best Cuts of Steak Explained

Good Red Wine to Pair with Steak: Ribeye & Tomahawk

Ribeye and the signature tomahawk steak cuts are big, generous, and full of flavour, especially when that tomahawk lands in the middle of the table for family-style dining.

For these cuts, you want good red wine to pair with steak that has structure and depth:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends with dark fruit and firm tannins.
Reserve-level reds that can stand shoulder to shoulder with a thick steak and plenty of marbling.
New World reds from B.C. and California that pack in blackcurrant, plum, spice, and a long finish.

These wines grab onto the fat and char, so every bite feels balanced instead of heavy.

Pair Wine with Steak: Striploin & New York

Striploin (or New York) is flavourful but a little leaner than ribeye. Here, the goal is power with a touch of freshness.

For striploin, our team often likes to pair wine with steak using:

B.C. Merlot and Cabernet blends. This includes generous fruit, smooth tannins, and enough acidity to cut through each slice.
Old World reds like Chianti Classico or other Sangiovese-based wines – bright cherry, herbs, and a savoury edge that loves both steak and Italian sides.

This is a sweet spot for many guests: big enough to handle steak, but not so heavy that it takes over the entire meal.

Wine to Pair with Steak: Filet Mignon & Tender Cuts

Filet mignon is all about tenderness and a finer, more subtle flavour. You don’t need the loudest wine in the room; you need one with grace.

A few favourites:

Pinot Noir from B.C. and other cool-climate regions – red berries, soft tannins, and earthiness that gently wraps around the meat.
Italian reds like Valpolicella, Rosso di Montalcino, or more elegant Tuscan blends – plenty of acidity, fine tannins, and notes of cherry, herbs, and spice.

These lighter, layered reds are perfect for guests who want to pair wine with steak without feeling weighed down.

Good Red Wine to Pair with Steak: Choose by Style

You don’t have to remember every label on the list. When guests ask our team for a good red wine to pair with steak, we usually start with one simple question:

“How do you like your reds; bold, smooth, or savoury?”

Bold & Powerful

For big, rich cuts like ribeye and tomahawk:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends.
Structured B.C. reds and full-bodied American reds.

These are the wines that keep opening up as you eat, with dark fruit, cedar, and spice.

Smooth & Crowd-Pleasing

For sharing steaks, pasta, and sides around the table:

Plush Merlot and easy-drinking blends with soft tannins.
Zinfandel and Syrah that bring ripe fruit, a bit of pepper, and a juicy finish.

If you want a good red wine to pair with steak that will please everyone at the table, this is usually the safest lane.

Savoury & Food-Driven

For guests who like their reds more earthy than jammy:

Sangiovese-based wines (Chianti Classico and other Tuscan reds).
Elegant Pinot Noir with plenty of acidity and subtle spice.

These wines shine when your table is covered in roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, rich sauces, and a mix of Italian dishes.

Does White Wine Pair with Steak?

A common question we hear all the time from our guests: does white wine pair with steak?

Short answer: yes; as long as you choose a white with enough texture and flavour.

When White Wine Works with Steak

White wine makes sense when:

You’re having a leaner cut cooked medium-rare.
There’s seafood or lighter starters on the table (think prawns, scallops, crudo).
You simply prefer whites but still want something that respects the steak.

In those cases, our team often suggests:

Full-bodied Chardonnay with a touch of oak – creamy texture, baked apple, and a hint of toast that matches beautifully with butter, mashed potatoes, and rich sauces.
Structured, aromatic whites like Viognier or richer blends – floral notes, stone fruit, and a generous mouthfeel.

Sparkling Wine to Pair with Steak

If you like contrast, sparkling is a fun way to pair wine with steak:

Dry sparkling wines cut through fat with bubbles and bright acidity.
They refresh your palate between bites and bring a celebratory feel to the table.

Sparkling works especially well with a tomahawk in the centre of the table – everyone gets a glass, and the whole evening feels like a special occasion.

How to Pair Wine with Steak for Different C|Prime Nights?

Instead of thinking “What’s the perfect bottle?”, think about the kind of night you’re having and then choose a wine to pair with steak that matches the mood.

Family-Style Tomahawk for the Table

On the table: Tomahawk sliced for sharing, roasted potatoes, rich sauces, a mix of sides.
In the glass: A bold, structured red – something from the reserve or big-cabernet side of the list. One impressive bottle and plenty of glasses around it.

Date Night Steak for Two

On the table: Filet mignon or striploin, maybe a shared pasta or seafood starter.
In the glass: Pinot Noir or an elegant Italian red – layered, romantic, and easy to sip slowly over conversation.

Business Dinner or Celebration

On the table: A range of cuts, shared sides, maybe a few appetizers to start.
In the glass: A polished red with character and depth – something that feels special but still approachable for different palates.

Let C|Prime Help You Choose the Best Wine to Pair with Steak

You don’t have to be a wine expert to drink like one at C|Prime. Our team knows the list inside out and spends every service helping guests pair wine with steak that matches their taste, their cut, and their night.

When you sit down, just tell your server:

Which steak you’re leaning toward.
Whether you tend to like bold, smooth, or lighter wines.
If you’re in the mood for a local bottle, an Italian classic, or something iconic.

From there, we’ll guide you to a good red wine to pair with steak or a carefully chosen white or sparkling if that feels more like you so every sip and every bite fit together, from the first pour to the last piece of steak on the plate.

Book your date night or family get together at C|Prime and live an experience like never before.

Take the elevator home:

Looking for a Staycation or Celebrating a Special Occasion?

Book the Stay and Dine Package at the Century Plaza Hotel; with room rates starting from $249, includes a $100 CPrime Gift Card and parking for one car.

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