Steak with red wine is a no-brainer, but what about steak and champagne? Honestly, people don’t enjoy this luxurious food and drink combo nearly as often as they should. Because champagne tends to pair well with foods high in fat and salt, there’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy some bubbles alongside your favorite chop.
But don’t just take our word for it; dine with us at Ruth’s Chris Steak House to experience the magic of champagne and steak for yourself. Reserve a table at your nearest Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant or read on to discover how to enjoy steak and champagne together the next time you visit us.
Do Champagne and Steak Even Go Together?
The short answer is: Yes!
Often viewed as an aperitif, champagne actually holds its own as a versatile food wine. Champagne exhibits minerality, a quality that adds depth to savory and meaty flavors such as those found in steak. Plus, its light taste and effervescence will elevate your meal without masking the steak’s rich and meaty flavors.
Most importantly, champagne brings a vibrant acidity that will help cleanse your palate in between bites of juicy steak. When you eat a well marbled steak it’s great to have something to cleanse your palate between bites – the acid in champagne does just that!
What Steak Should You Eat with Champagne?
While champagne will complement any Ruth’s Chris steak, a more marbled cut such as a Ribeye or New York Strip pairs perfectly with a bottle of brut bubbles. To maximize the pairing, order your steak medium-rare so that the juices from your favorite cut can meld with each sip of champagne.
Popular Champagne Offerings at Ruth’s Chris
Ruth’s Chris offers several sparkling wine selections at our restaurants, but if you want to sip your bubbly alongside a steak, you should consider the following options. Each champagne highlighted has spent more time in cellars, developing stronger flavors and a fuller body to help it stand up to the richness of steak.
Veuve Clicquot “Yellow Label”
As the signature wine of Veuve Clicquot, the Yellow Label showcases the best of what champagne has to offer. The dominant presence of Pinot Noir compared to Chardonnay and Meunier gives this champagne the strength it needs to take on a steak. However, the Yellow Label also displays silkiness, which keeps this bold champagne from feeling too heavy.
Moët & Chandon “Impérial”
Moët & Chandon’s most iconic libation combines the fuller body of Pinot Noir, the suppleness of Pinot Meunier, and the refinement of Chardonnay for a champagne that pairs beautifully with beef. Elegant maturity and a seductive palate of toasty notes like brioche will enhance the steak’s flavor profile.
Dom Pérignon Vintage
After a whopping eight years in the cellars, the one and only Dom Pérignon champagne boasts an assertive presence. Aromatic, firm, and bursting with notes of spices and pepper, this wine can handle any steak with grace.
Sip Champagne with Your Steak at Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Ready to enjoy a night out with champagne and steak? Make a reservation at your local Ruth’s Chris restaurant today!