What Pairs With Oxtail?

Friday I had dinner at a Jamaican restaurant with someone that suggested it (I’m still trying to figure out if this was a date or not, but that’s another post for another time.) I’m Jamaican, but I rarely go to Jamaican restaurants. When I do, I normally order the oxtail because it’s something I never cook at home.

This night was no different.

I ordered a Dragon Stout beer because I don’t often find it when I’m out and it’s one of my favorite beers. The two worked perfectly together. The malty, chocolate sweetness of the Dragon Stout paired perfectly with the savoriness of the oxtail without overpowering it. I was very happy with this combination.

That was until I ended up at Bar Margot a few hours later and had a glass of Belle Glos Dairyman Pinot Noir.

As I sipped and tasted the cherry notes layered with nutmeg, cocoa and vanilla, I couldn’t help but wish that I’d saved an oxtail bone (this is so Jamaican of me) to see how well these two would go together. This is ridiculous.) Short of carrying around oxtail bones in my pocket, I’m confident that this is a perfect match.

I’m going to reverse my stance of never cooking oxtail at home so that I can test this out. In the meantime, if you’re looking for something to drink with oxtail, you can’t go wrong with Dragon Stout, Cabernet Sauvignon or a heartier Pinot Noir like Belle Glos.