Meatloaf Wine Pairing - Our 5 Favorite Wines to Pair With

  • Last Updated - 3/10/23
meatloaf wine pairing

Quick Answer: Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec are both bold and full-bodied red wines that pair well with meatloaf due to their high tannins and acidity. Additionally, the fruit-forward nature and earthy undertones of both can complement the sweet and savory flavors often found in meatloaf.

Meatloaf is a classic comfort food that’s hearty, flavorful, and satisfying. It’s a dish that’s made from ground meat mixed with a variety of ingredients such as breadcrumbs, eggs, onions, and spices.

And it’s typically served with mashed potatoes, green beans, or other vegetables, and it’s a meal that can be enjoyed with a glass of wine. However, finding the right wine to pair with meatloaf can be a bit tricky, as it depends on the recipe’s ingredients and flavors.

In general, meatloaf pairs well with red wines. So here are some of our wine pairing suggestions for meatloaf:

Best Wines With Meatloaf

Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine has bold flavors of blackberry, blackcurrant, and tobacco, which complement the savory flavors of the meatloaf. Cabernet Sauvignon also has enough tannins to enhance the juiciness of the meatloaf, making it a perfect pairing.

Lastly, the boldness and complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon can stand up to the hearty and robust flavors of meatloaf.

Malbec

Malbec is a medium-bodied red wine with moderate tannins and acidity, making it a good match for the savory and flavorful nature of meatloaf. The fruit-forward nature of an Argentina Malbec, with its notes of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, can complement the sweetness of the meatloaf’s glaze or sauce.

Plus, the earthy and spicy undertones of Malbec can also pair well with the herbs and spices typically used in meatloaf, such as thyme, garlic, and onion.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel is also a versatile wine that can pair well with a variety of meatloaf recipes, whether they’re spicy, sweet, or savory. Because the bold fruit flavors in Zinfandel, such as raspberry, cherry , and plum, complement the flavors often found in meatloaf.

Plus, the Zinfandel’s spiciness, with notes of black pepper and cinnamon, can also complement the herbs and spices used in meatloaf, such as thyme, garlic, and onion.

Finally the tannins in Zinfandel are usually softer than those found in other full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a smoother match for meatloaf.

meatloaf wine pairing

Syrah/Shiraz

This wine has bold flavors, such as blackberry, plum, and black pepper, can complement the rich and savory flavors of meatloaf.

And just like Zinfandel, Shiraz’s spiciness, with notes of black pepper and clove, can also complement the herbs and spices used in meatloaf, such as thyme, garlic, and onion.

Lastly, the full-bodied nature of Shiraz can stand up to the hearty and robust flavors of meatloaf.

Merlot

Merlot’s moderate tannins and acidity can complement the savory flavors of meatloaf without overwhelming the dish.

Plus, the fruit-forward nature of Merlot, with its notes of black cherry, plum, and raspberry, can complement the sweet and savory flavors often found in meatloaf.

And the smooth texture of Merlot can help balance the denseness and texture of meatloaf, creating a pleasant and harmonious mouthfeel.

Finally, Merlot’s lighter body compared to some other red wines, makes it a good choice for meatloaf dishes that are not overly rich or heavy.

Summary

In conclusion, meatloaf is a delicious comfort food that can be enjoyed with a variety of wines.

When selecting a wine to pair with meatloaf, it’s important to consider the other ingredients used in the recipe.

For example, if the meatloaf has a sweet glaze or sauce, you may want to choose a wine with higher acidity to balance out the sweetness. On the other hand, if the meatloaf has a lot of spice, you may want to choose a wine with more fruit-forward flavors to tame the heat.

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