Each month members of the Court of Master Sommeliers, an international association of wine experts, suggest wine pairings for popular menu items. Here they offer us both premium and bargain wines to enjoy with beef dishes. The sommeliers do not have a financial interest in any of their recommendations.

David Glancy, MS, founder and chief executive, San Francisco Wine School, San Francisco

Bargain wine: 2009 J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, Calif.
Grape varieties: 79 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 percent Petite Sirah, 5 percent Petite Verdot, 2.5 percent Merlot, 2.5 percent Syrah, 2 percent Cabernet Franc
Taste profile: Black currant and dark cherry flavors meld seamlessly with vanilla in this rich, smooth cabernet blend. Balance is the key to this crowd pleaser.
Pairings: It is great on its own or with meats or hard cheeses. Try it with skirt steak with jalapeño jelly.
Average wholesale case price: $112

Premium wine: 2007 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Calif.
Grape varieties: 78.8 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5 percent Merlot, 4.7 percent Petite Verdot, 1 percent Cabernet Franc, 1 percent Malbec
Taste profile: Ripe red and black fruits wrapped in sweet, charred oak lead to a long, balanced finish. Black cherry, blackberry, raspberry and dark chocolate steal the show.
Pairings: Excellent on its own or with refined beef or lamb dishes. My pick for this is filet mignon with green peppercorn sauce.
Average wholesale case price: $240

John Szabo, MS, partner, WineAlign.com, Toronto, Ontario

Bargain wine: 2009 Cusumano Nero d’Avola, Sicily, Italy
Grape variety: Nero d’Avola
Taste profile: This is a solid and flavorful value from one of southern Italy’s leading estates. It’s medium-full bodied, full of blackberry and prune flavors, alongside dried seaweed and tapenade, with a touch of mocha and menthol. Sufficient tannin for grip and structure and acidity for freshness make this a fine partner with protein.
Pairings: Bring this out when the barbeque is smoking and beef sausages or other red meat are on the menu. My favorite is polpettone alla siciliana — large veal or beef meatballs in a tomato, anchovy and caper sauce.
Average wholesale case price: $144

Premium wine: 2007 Perrin & Fils Les Sinards Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France
Grape varieties: unspecified percentages of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah
Taste profile: Made principally from young vines, the ’07 Les Sinards is anything but light and easy. The intense ripeness and concentration of the vintage is evident, and there’s neither excess nor shortage of critical components — tannins are ripe and plush, acid is moderate but adequate, and alcohol is generous but balanced.
Pairings: The velvety tannins and high alcohol make this a wine well-suited to slow cooked braises. Think osso buco alla milanese or beef stews, especially when augmented with Mediterranean herbs.
Average wholesale case price: $468

Greg Tresner, MS, sommelier, The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Bargain wine: 2008 Liberty School Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, Calif.
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Taste profile: Bitter chocolate, sweet earth and a mesclun leaf surround black raspberry fruit. A smooth texture and lingering ripe berry flavors make this balanced wine a treat to drink.
Pairings: Ground or pulled beef dishes with savory seasonings, such as lasagna, carne asada, and fajitas with a little green chile for spice. I recommend a knife-and-fork rendition of a grilled Kobe burger with roasted poblano, guacamole, habanero Jack cheese, and spicy fried dill pickle spears.
Average wholesale case price: $120

Premium wine: 2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Wash.
Grape varieties: 80 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 percent Syrah, 3 percent Merlot, 2 percent Malbec, 1 percent Cabernet Franc
Taste profile: Deep aromas of fresh earth, a touch of dandelion green and leather meet black berry, black cherry and dark chocolate flavors. Full and strong, but smooth.
Pairings: Try it with roasted beef tenderloin, hanger steak, or mom’s savory short-rib beef stew with fresh garden vegetables — carrots, cipollini onions, russet potatoes, celery, bay leaf, turnips, dried herbs and a fresh grated red radish garnish.
Average wholesale case price: $132

Learn more: Meet the Master Sommeliers. Check out bios and photos.