Here is a pairing that we simply adore! Ribeye steak with our famous Santa Margherita Chianti Classico. How the wine brings out the flavor in the meat is where we find our passion.

How life gets moved to a higher level because of it…we’ll that’s just what happens.

Do NOT simply read this. Take it and embrace it and create it. And open a bottle and savor it!

There are food and wine pairings…and then there is this!

Best!

RIBEYE STEAK
PAIRS WELL WITH
SANTA MARGHERITA CHIANTI CLASSICO

3 Tbsp. sugar
1½ Tbsp. kosher salt
9 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
½ cup dried Porcini mushrooms ground to a fine powder in a blender
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 20-ounce USDA Prime, dry-aged Rib-eye steaks, cut 2 inches thick
Balsamic vinegar for drizzling
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

In small bowl, combine the sugar, salt, garlic, red pepper flakes, rosemary, pepper, mushroom powder and olive oil and stir well to form a thick, fairly dry paste. Rub the paste all over the steaks, coat­ing them evenly, and refrigerate, wrapped in plastic, for 12 hours or overnight.

Preheat the grill. Remove steaks from refrigerator and brush off excess marinade with a paper towel. Let sit for 20 minutes so they come to room temperature. Cook on the hottest part of the grill for 20 minutes, turning every 6 to 7 minutes, or to an internal tem­perature of 125°F for medium rare. Allow the steaks to rest for 15 minutes, then slice against the grain. Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and serve immediately.

This recipe pairs beautifully with Chianti Classico. The acidity and tannins in the wine are a pleasant complement to the richness of the rib-eye cut.

Recipe courtesy of Bon Appétit Chef de Cuisine Jonathan Lindenauer
©2008 Condé Nast Publications

Suggested wine pairing: Santa Margherita Chianti.

Don’t forget that there are still two weeks left to enter The Great Taste Challenge to show off how you pair wines and foods best. Show the world what your kitchen brings out in you!