Wine with burgers: Styles to consider Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah / Shiraz Grenache / Garnacha Sangiovese Pinot Noir Cabernet Franc Grüner Veltliner with chicken burgers Rossese di Dolceacqua with tuna burgers Orange wines or earthy Pinot Noir with veggie burgers A brief burger history
An ancient recipe book named Apicius suggests that Romans were eating wine-infused meat patties centuries before Ronald McDonald and his associates, including Mayor McCheese, were discovered living in the fictional world of McDonaldland.
Other food historians believe ‘hamburgers’ evolved from the traditional Hamburg steak in Germany.
Whoever is right, burgers are now ubiquitous, and recent incarnations have turned the humble patty and bun combination into an art form.
The environmental and public health impacts of consuming too much meat are increasingly well understood. So, following the ‘less but better’ mantra, if you’re going to eat a burger, then make it a good one.
And if you’re going to have a great burger, it deserves a great wine.
Wines with classic beef burgers
For a classic ground beef burger, consider some of the go-to red meat wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. A juicy Grenache or classic ‘GSM’ blend could also be a great accompaniment to a night of comfort food, as recommended in our guide to choosing a barbecue wine.
If you’re a Malbec fan, consider wines from cooler vineyard sites that may have higher-than-normal acidity, as advised by expert Patricio Tapia in this article on matching wine with steak.
And why not uncork a top bottle?
