A Guide to Pairing Wagyu Beef with Wine and Other Beverages

Wagyu beef is one of the best meat products in the world, offering a tender, perfect bite every single time. If you want to complete a meal with Wagyu, it’s necessary to pair an ideal beverage. However, it can feel impossible to nail down the right one. 

Whether you’re enjoying Wagyu for a special dinner with a loved one or want to pair something well for a solo meal, every aspect of the experience matters. Read on to learn more about pairing Wagyu with wine and other beverages. 

What Wine Pairs With Wagyu?

There is a specific taste in a wine required to bring out the tenderness and full flavor of Wagyu. Too much will overpower it, too little will make the eating experience unpleasant. 

There are several winners in pairing wine with Wagyu.

Some of the best wines to pair with Wagyu include the following:

• Right-Bank Bordeaux: Bordeaux from Pomerol or St Emilion offers a rich and fruity flavor with far less acidity found in others. They are more Merlot in the base than in other versions. 

• Cabernet Sauvignon: A juicy and fruit-based Cabernet Sauvignon will never be an incorrect choice with any steak. It’s a practical selection for those who love a classic. 

• Merlot: Merlot is juicy and low on the tannin scale, which some may not love but it makes for an excellent steak wine. It’s an excellent combo with umami profiles.

• Syrah: Pepper, mint, and smoke make up the base of Syrah, which is far fuller than other wine choices. It’s more powerful, which is excellent with a milder beef taste.

• Sangiovese: Sangiovese has high tannins and acidity, which is excellent with fatty pieces. It’s fruity, rustic, earthy, and savory.

What Other Drinks Pair With Wagyu?

Not everyone is a wine person with their cut of Wagyu beef. Luckily, there are other excellent beverage selections for those who would prefer to take a step away from the wine experience. 

Beers

Although beer offers a different experience than wine, it’s still a practical choice for those who want an excellent taste. There are several choices that complement the marbled beef.

Here are the top beer selections to pair with Wagyu:

• Stouts: Some stouts can be smoky or chocolaty, which pairs well with a quality Wagyu.

• Light Lagers: Light lagers aren’t as intense as other beers, which means they’re excellent for those who can’t stand too strong of an alcoholic taste with their cut of meat.

• Pale Ales: Pale ales have a bitter aftertaste, so they cut perfectly with an excellent Wagyu. They’re very close to each other and therefore serve as a dream team for a meal.

• IPAs: If you have a very fatty cut of meat, the bitter and hoppy taste of an IPA will go over well.

Scotch/Bourbon

Spirits are another excellent choice for a fatty piece of Wagyu. They may not be the first choice for everyone, but you can’t go wrong with a quality scotch or bourbon and fatty steak.

Here are the reasons behind the excellent pairing:

• Scotch: Scotch provides a nice smoky flavor, which is excellent with a marbled piece of beef.

• Bourbon: Bourbon has a base of caramel and vanilla, which is ideal with the umami flavor of some cuts of Wagyu beef. 

Cider

Cider is sweeter than other selections on this list. Although it’s an imperfect pairing, some versions of cider have high tannins and acidity that pair well with a cut of Wagyu. Ensure you check the acidity and the tannins for higher levels to ensure they taste excellent with Wagyu beef. 

Sake

Sake is one of the best beverages to pair with Wagyu beef. It’s light, refreshing, acidic, and provides a nice texture paired with Wagyu. It can also be used to brine the meat if you want to use it in a less traditional format. 

What Drink Pairs Best With Japanese Wagyu?

Japanese Wagyu provides excellent marbling and texture. It’s firm, yet tender, and remains juicy throughout the cooking process. The cut is best seared and served and is found in some of the best restaurants in the world.  

The best drinks to serve with Japanese Wagyu include the following:

• Sake: Pure and sweet notes are tasty with the fattiness of the Wagyu.

• Champagne: Crisp, acidic champagne is an excellent balance to the Wagyu’s umami profile. 

What Drink Pairs Best With Australian Wagyu?

Australian Wagyu provides a unique flavor and even better marbling. It’s sourced from Australia and fatty in all the right places, excellent for throwing on the grill or stovetop before your next meal.

Here are some of the ideal drink pairings for Australian Wagyu:

• Aged Sake: Aged Sake is more umami in flavor, which allows an excellent combination of flavors with the deep umami of the Australian Wagyu.

• Shiraz: Australian Shiraz is berry-forward and peppery, making it a unique pairing with the richness of the meat. Shiraz enhances the overall flavor. 

What Drink Pairs Best With American Wagyu?

American Wagyu is typically made from American cattle crossbred with Wagyu cattle from Japan. Thanks to this unique combination, the flavors are bold, rich, and unforgettable for your next meal.

Here are some possible drink pairings for American Wagyu:

• Merlot: Smooth Merlot provides flavor profiles of black cherry, plum, and chocolate. The drink is an excellent offset to the robust nature of Wagyu.

• Craft Beer: Malty porter and stout bring out the best of the beef, bringing to light the deep, rich flavors of the Wagyu. 

Where Can You Find Quality Wagyu?

Wagyu is one of the best cuts of meat available, offering an excellent marbling and wonderful flavor profile impossible to forget. Unfortunately, it’s rare to find a high-quality Wagyu at a local butcher or grocery store. Many shipping companies are unreliable and low-quality.

If you want ample choices of high-quality Wagyu delivered fresh and cold to your door, invest in your Wagyu from Kolikof Caviar & Gourmet. They offer ample cuts of Wagyu, fresh and ready to be cooked for your next unforgettable meal.