The best red wine to prepare your beef bourguignon

Last week, we presented the best white wine to accompany your beef bourguignon , a typical dish from Burgundy-Franche-Comté, among the favorite dishes of the French. Renowned for its perfect harmony between stewed beef and a richly flavored AOC red wine, today we recommend the best red wine to prepare an exceptional beef bourguignon, with a good Côtes-du-rhône.

Beef bourguignon, an iconic dish in the French gastronomic repertoire, is distinguished by its richness and exquisite taste. In order to understand its complexity, choosing a good wine, harmonizing the tastes during cooking is essential. To do this, it is necessary to understand the balance of food and wine pairings.

Rule #1? 

Both the wine and the dish should have the same intensity of flavors. So, for a beef bourguignon, a rich and complex dish, you will need to select a red wine that is just as rich and powerful. What is the risk of choosing a red wine that is too subtle? You might feel like you are only tasting the taste of the meat, because the wine and the sauce will be too weak in flavor to be balanced.

How to choose the ideal red wine for your beef bourguignon?

To choose the ideal Côtes du Rhône to prepare a beef bourguignon, it is important to consider several factors.

First, the wine should have enough structure to withstand the long cooking time and enrich the flavor of the meat. A wine that is too delicate could lose its aromas during cooking, while one that is too robust could overpower the other flavors in the dish. Rhone Valley wines, especially those made with Syrah, are often recommended for their body and ability to complement slow-cooked dishes. A simple but well-structured Côtes du Rhone can be a great choice.

It's also a good idea to choose a wine that you would enjoy drinking, as this will be reflected in the taste of the final dish. It's also a good idea to consider the vintage; a younger wine will tend to have more tannins and acidity, which can help tenderize the meat and balance out the richness of the beef bourguignon.

In summary, we recommend a Côtes du Rhône with a good balance between fruitiness, acidity, and tannins, complementing your personal taste to obtain the best result in your beef bourguignon.

Côtes du Rhône red vintage offer - old vines 2018 - per unit

The Terra estate recommends its 2018 vintage red wine to prepare this delicious dish.

A beautiful tannin content as well as a particular roundness bring finesse and gentle power in the mouth, expression of a controlled temperature during its vinification. A perfect combination awaits you with this vintage cuvée!

Côtes du Rhône Red Vintage: Service and Food and Wine Pairing

Serving beef bourguignon with a vintage Côtes du Rhône red can elevate this traditional meal into an exceptional culinary experience. To fully enjoy this pairing, serve the wine at a slightly cool temperature, around 16-18°C, to reveal all of its complexity and aromas.

Pair this dish with simple side dishes like seasonal vegetables or new potatoes, allowing the rich flavors of the red wine and beef bourguignon to blend perfectly.

Other dishes to pair with vintage red Côtes du Rhône

In addition to beef bourguignon, vintage red wines from Côtes du Rhône also pair wonderfully with a variety of red meat, game or poultry dishes in sauce. Their tannic structure and deep aromas make them ideal partners for rich and flavorful dishes, offering great flexibility and diversity in your food and wine pairings.

You can also prepare these dishes with our vintages:

  • Roast Leg of Lamb : The structured tannins and spicy notes of the Côtes du Rhône red perfectly complement the tenderness and pronounced flavors of the roast lamb.
  • Duck breast with red fruits : The balanced acidity and fruity aromas of the wine enhance the flavors of the duck, creating a refined taste harmony.
  • Daube Provençale : This rich, slow-cooked dish pairs perfectly with the robustness and aromatic complexity of Côtes du Rhône red, with each bite revealing a new nuance of flavor.

The recipe for beef bourguignon with red wine by Terra 6840:

You will need:

  • 1.5 kg of chuck steak
  • 2 onions
  • 3 carrots
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 300g smoked bacon cut into lardons
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 bottle of Côtes-du-Rhône vintage 2018
  • 300g of mushrooms
  • 1 bouquet garni (thyme, parsley, bay leaf)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, Pepper

Preparation of the marinade

  1. Marinade : Place the beef cubes in a large salad bowl. Add the onion rings, carrot rings, bacon, minced garlic and bouquet garni.
  2. Red Wine : Pour a bottle of 2018 Côtes-du-Rhône over all the ingredients. Cover and leave to marinate in a cool place for 24 hours.

Cooking

  1. Draining : The next day, remove the meat and vegetables from the marinade. Drain them carefully while reserving the marinade.
  2. Browning the Meat : In a cast iron casserole dish, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides. Remove the meat from the casserole dish and set aside.
  3. Vegetables and Bacon : In the same casserole, brown the vegetables and bacon for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and mix well to coat the ingredients.
  4. Returning the Meat : Return the meat to the casserole. Strain the marinade and pour it over the meat. Add water if necessary to completely cover the meat. Salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Simmering : Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for about 3 hours. Stir occasionally. The meat should be tender and the sauce thick and creamy.

Finalization

  1. Mushrooms : While the beef is simmering, brown the mushrooms in a pan with a little olive oil for about 5 minutes.
  2. Adding the Mushrooms : Add the mushrooms to the casserole dish about 30 minutes before the end of cooking.

Service

  1. Presentation : Serve the beef bourguignon piping hot, accompanied by potatoes, pasta or rice. This dish is best enjoyed with a glass of 2018 vintage Côtes-du-Rhône.

This beef bourguignon recipe, enhanced by the 2018 Côtes-du-Rhône vintage, promises an exceptional culinary experience, combining the robust flavors of the meat with the aromatic richness of the wine.