Wine Pairings with Burgers

The burger is one of the most versatile and tasty dishes, bringing together juicy ingredients, creamy sauces and bold flavours. Whether it is a classic beef burger, a gourmet burger or a vegetarian version, pairing it with the right wine can lift every bite. Here is a guide to choosing the best wine to go with your burger.

Characteristics of Burgers and General Pairings

The choice of wine depends on:

• Type of meat: beef, chicken, lamb or veggie burgers.
• Seasonings: aged cheeses, bacon, caramelised onion, BBQ sauces.
• Intensity of the flavour: the richer the burger, the more structured the wine will need to be.

Best Food and Wine Pairings for Burgers

Full-bodied and Spicy Red Wines

• Zinfandel (Primitivo) – Perfect for beef burgers with cheddar, bacon and BBQ sauce.
• Syrah/Shiraz – Great for spiced burgers, with caramelised onion and strong cheeses.
• Aglianico del Vulture DOC – Ideal for smoky burgers or burgers with well-flavoured meat.

Lighter Red Wines

• Pinot Noir – Perfect for chicken or turkey burgers, or burgers with delicate ingredients.
• Frappato di Vittoria – Excellent with veggie burgers or grilled vegetables.

Surprising Sparkling Wines

• Lambrusco di Sorbara – Fresh and lightly sparkling, ideal with tasty, rich burgers.
• Franciacorta Rosé – Elegant and versatile, excellent with gourmet burgers.

Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing

• Avoid white wines that are too light, which would not stand up to the structure of the burger.
• Take care with tannic wines that are too young, which can come across as aggressive.
• Avoid sweet wines, which risk flattening the flavours of the dish.

Specific Pairings for Certain Burgers

• Classic beef burger with cheddar and bacon → Zinfandel, Syrah
• Burger with caramelised onion and gorgonzola → Aglianico, Lambrusco di Sorbara
• Vegetarian burger with hummus and grilled vegetables → Frappato, Pinot Noir
• Chicken burger with salad and yoghurt sauce → Pinot Noir, Franciacorta Rosé