Real Food - Summer 2019

56 real food summer 2019

Burger Buddies

T

hick, juicy burgers are a gloriously delicious part of the summer

grilling season. In general, any ground beef burger will have some

slightly sweet vanilla and earthy flavors contributed by smokiness

and a caramelized flavor from the meat’s charred sugars. A wine with

richness, fruit flavor and a decent amount of acidity or tannins will

pair well with those characteristics. It’s hard to go wrong with a cool

Beaujolais, Merlot or Pinot Noir with a basic burger.

Flavors contributed by the various toppings you choose to add to

the mix can also be a way to select tasty wine partners:

• Classic lettuce, tomato, raw onion, ketchup and mayonnaise:
  Aussie Shiraz or California Syrah pair well with this flavor combo.


• Pickle relish and yellow mustard: White Zinfandel’s soft and fruity
  characters offer balance. A sparkling wine may also be a nice match.
  If sweet pickle relish is on its own, try Gewürztraminer.


• Avocado, cucumber and sprouts: Sauvignon Blanc is good for
  white wine fans, Merlot for fans of red.


• Bold cheeses, such as blue cheese or sharp cheddar: Cabernet
  Sauvignon can stand up to the strong flavors of the cheese
  while the meat’s richness softens the wine’s tannins.


• Bacon and cheddar: Spanish Rioja has its own
  smoky flavor that goes well with the bacon.


• Grilled onions and mustard: White
  Zinfandel’s soft fruit flavor balances
  the onions and tart condiment.

So fire up the grill, ponder your

spread of toppings, and uncork some

delicious burger buddies—the grilling

season provides ample opportunity

to experiment with nuances of pairing

so you can find your perfect match. 

PHOTOGRAPHY TERRY BRENNAN

FOOD STYLING LARA MIKLASEVICS

pairings

Take your cue from a burger’s toppings when making a match with wine

BY MARY SUBIALKA