Steak Tartare

Red · Full · Dry

Shiraz's more reserved European cousin — Northern Rhône style, all violets, black olive, and white pepper. Less brawn, more poise; pairs as well with lamb as with peppered duck breast.

Works with Steak Tartare · Steak Tartare With Chives Mayonnaise

Red · Medium · Dry

Gamay-based reds from southern Burgundy — light, fruity, food-friendly. The serious Cru bottlings (Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent) drink like Pinot Noir at half the price.

Red · Medium · Dry

Beaujolais's grandest Cru — Gamay grown on manganese-rich granite, producing wines of unusual structure and longevity. Decades-old bottles still drink fresh.

Red · Full · Dry

The benchmark for full-bodied red — structured, age-worthy, unapologetic. Black currant, graphite, and tobacco lead into firm tannins that demand protein on the plate. Decant young bottles; cellar the serious ones.

Malbec's spiritual home — France's southwest, where the grape is called Cot. Darker, more brooding, less plush than Argentine Malbec; pairs with duck and cassoulet.

Sparkling · Light · Dry

Méthode champenoise from the most chalk-rich corner of France — fine bubbles, brioche, lemon zest, and a finish that goes on for half a minute. The wine for anything fried, salty, or special.

Pure Syrah from a single granite amphitheater — the wildest, most savage of the Northern Rhône reds. Black olive, blood, iron, and a finish that doesn't let go.

Hermitage's affordable shadow — Northern Rhône Syrah grown on the flat lands below the great hill. Bright, peppery, food-friendly; drinks well young.

Red · Medium · Dry

Piedmont's everyday red — soft, plummy, low-acid, gulpably friendly. The wine you reach for when Barolo feels like a commitment.

A Beaujolais Cru with structure and a touch of spice — Gamay that ages better than most expect. Cherry, peony, pepper; pair with roast pork or aged cheese.

Red · Full · Dry

Argentina's signature grape: deep purple, plummy, and remarkably smooth for its weight. Soft tannins and a touch of cocoa make it the dinner-party Cabernet alternative — and far easier on the wallet.

Sparkling · Light · Sweet

Asti's more refined sibling — gently frizzante, only 5-6% alcohol, all peach and orange blossom. The perfect summer dessert wine.