Bordeaux, France: The Original Fine Dining Wine
Bordeaux has been synonymous with fine dining wine for centuries. The Left Bank, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, produces structured, tannic wines from appellations like Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux that are classic steak partners. The Right Bank, led by Merlot, offers softer, plumier wines from Saint-Emilion and Pomerol that complement leaner cuts beautifully. Bordeaux wines are built for aging, and mature examples with 10 to 20 years of cellar time develop a savory complexity, with notes of leather, tobacco, and graphite, that harmonizes perfectly with dry-aged beef. At Blu' Steakhouse in Hollywood, FL, Bordeaux selections in the wine cellar offer this classic pairing opportunity.
Napa Valley, California: Power and Fruit
Napa Valley produces the boldest, most fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignons in the world, and they have become the default steakhouse wine across America. The combination of ripe dark fruit, polished tannins, and generous body creates wines that match the intensity of USDA Prime beef head-on. Sub-regions like Oakville, Rutherford, and Stags Leap District each bring their own character. Napa Cabs are approachable when young, making them reliable choices even without years of cellaring. The NY Strip at $65 or the Tomahawk at $235 at Blu' Steakhouse with a Napa Cabernet is one of the most reliably excellent pairings in all of food and wine.
Mendoza, Argentina: Value and Velvet
Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards produce Malbec that has transformed the global wine landscape. The combination of intense sunshine, wide diurnal temperature swings, and sandy soils creates deeply colored wines with plush dark fruit, velvety tannins, and surprising freshness. Mendoza Malbec is one of the best values in steak wine because the quality-to-price ratio consistently exceeds that of more famous regions. Sub-regions like the Uco Valley and Lujan de Cuyo produce wines of increasing sophistication that rival top wines from anywhere in the world. For everyday steakhouse dining, it is hard to find a more reliable and wallet-friendly pairing partner.
Barossa Valley, Australia: Bold Shiraz
Australia's Barossa Valley produces some of the world's most powerful and concentrated Shiraz. These wines deliver explosive dark fruit, chocolate, and spice flavors with a density and richness that matches the biggest steaks on any menu. Old-vine Barossa Shiraz, from vineyards planted over a century ago, produces wines of extraordinary depth and complexity. The peppery, smoky character of Shiraz naturally echoes the flavors of a charcoal-seared steak, making it an instinctive pairing. While some Barossa wines can be massive, the best producers balance power with elegance. A Barossa Shiraz with the Bone-In Ribeye Au Poivre at $89 at Blu' Steakhouse is a bold, exciting match.
Piedmont, Italy: Nebbiolo's Complexity
Piedmont's Barolo and Barbaresco, made from the Nebbiolo grape, offer a completely different steak pairing experience. These wines combine floral aromatics of rose and violet with flavors of cherry, tar, and truffle, wrapped in firm, grippy tannins that soften beautifully with age. Nebbiolo's high acidity and assertive tannins cut through rich, fatty beef with precision, making it an outstanding partner for well-marbled USDA Prime cuts. The earthy, savory character of aged Barolo particularly shines with dry-aged beef, where both the wine and the meat share funky, complex secondary flavors. It is a sophisticated pairing for adventurous diners.
Explore Global Wines at Blu' Steakhouse
The wine cellar at Blu' Steakhouse at 1900 Harrison St in Hollywood, FL draws from all of these great wine regions and more, offering guests a global tour of steak-friendly wines. Whether your preference runs toward the classic structure of Bordeaux, the bold fruit of Napa, the velvet of Mendoza, the power of Barossa, or the complexity of Piedmont, there is a bottle waiting to elevate your dinner. Chef Javi Cano's USDA Prime dry-aged steaks and A5 Wagyu deserve wines from the world's finest regions. Open Wednesday through Saturday evenings for Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and all of South Florida. Call 754-260-5189 to reserve your table.
Ready to Experience Blu' Steakhouse?
Open Wednesday–Saturday from 5 PM. Located at 1900 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL 33020.