A burger might seem like beer territory, but a juicy, char-grilled burger is a genuinely great wine partner. It has the fat, the savory char and the bold flavor to stand up to a big red, and the toppings only make the pairing more fun.
The best burger wines are bold, fruit-forward reds with enough structure to handle the fat but enough easygoing charm to suit a casual meal. This is not the place for your most serious, delicate bottle.
A juicy beef burger wants a bold, fruit-forward red. Zinfandel is a top choice, its jammy fruit and hint of sweetness loving the char and any barbecue-style sauce. Malbec is another excellent match, plush and smoky, and Syrah brings savory, peppery depth. For a cheeseburger, these bolder reds handle the richness, while a lighter burger can take a Merlot or even a chilled Gamay.
Burger Wine Pairings at a Glance
| Burger | Recommended Wine | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Classic cheeseburger | Zinfandel | Jammy fruit and spice love the char and cheese. |
| Bacon burger | Malbec | Plush, smoky fruit matches the smoky bacon. |
| Barbecue burger | Zinfandel or Shiraz | Ripe fruit meets the sweet, smoky sauce. |
| Mushroom or Swiss burger | Merlot | Earthy, soft red suits the savory toppings. |
| Peppered or spicy burger | Syrah | The wine pepper note echoes the seasoning. |
| Simple lean burger | Chilled Gamay | Juicy, light red for a lighter patty. |
Fat and Char Want Fruit
A good burger brings two things a wine has to handle: fat, from the beef and any cheese, and char, from the grill. Both are best met by a red with plenty of ripe, generous fruit. The fruit balances the char, while the wine’s tannin and acidity cut through the fat, keeping each bite fresh.
That is why bold, fruit-forward reds like Zinfandel, Malbec and Syrah are such natural burger wines. They have the ripeness and the structure without the austerity of a more classical, tannic red that might clash with a casual meal.
Let the Toppings Decide
As with pizza, the toppings help fine-tune the match. A barbecue burger with a sweet, smoky sauce is a perfect foil for jammy Zinfandel or ripe Shiraz. A bacon burger loves the smoky depth of Malbec. Mushroom and Swiss toppings lean savory and suit a soft, earthy Merlot.
For a simpler, leaner burger, you can dial down the intensity and reach for a Merlot or even a lightly chilled Gamay, whose bright fruit keeps the pairing light and fun.
Two Burger Recipes to Cook Tonight
These two burgers are built to shine with red wine. The first is a classic char-grilled cheeseburger for a bottle of Zinfandel. The second is a smoky bacon burger made for Malbec. Both are simple, satisfying and cook up fast.
Recipe
Char-Grilled Cheeseburgers
The classic juicy cheeseburger, a perfect match for Zinfandel.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb (680 g) ground beef (80/20)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 slices Cheddar or American cheese
- 4 burger buns
- Lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, to serve
Method
- Form the beef into 4 patties with a slight dimple in the center. Season with salt and pepper.
- Grill over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, to at least 160F (71C) for ground beef.
- Add the cheese in the last minute to melt.
- Toast the buns on the grill.
- Build the burgers with your toppings and serve.
Pour it with: A bold Zinfandel.
Recipe
Smoky Bacon Burgers
A rich bacon burger built for the plush, smoky fruit of Malbec.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb (680 g) ground beef (80/20)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 8 slices bacon
- 4 slices smoked Gouda
- 4 burger buns
- Barbecue sauce and onions, to serve
Method
- Cook the bacon until crisp and set aside.
- Form and season the beef with salt and paprika, then grill the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side to 160F (71C).
- Add the Gouda in the last minute to melt.
- Toast the buns and spread with barbecue sauce.
- Build the burgers with bacon and onions and serve.
Pour it with: A plush Malbec.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best wine to pair with burgers?
A bold, fruit-forward red is ideal. Zinfandel is a top choice for a classic cheeseburger, Malbec suits bacon and barbecue burgers, and Syrah brings savory, peppery depth. All have the ripe fruit and structure to handle the fat and char.
Does red or white wine go with burgers?
Red wine is the classic choice for beef burgers, thanks to its fruit, tannin and body. A bold red like Zinfandel or Malbec balances the fat and char of a grilled patty far better than most whites.
What wine goes with a bacon burger?
Malbec is an excellent match for a bacon burger. Its plush, smoky dark fruit echoes the smokiness of the bacon and stands up to the richness of the meat and cheese.
What wine goes with a barbecue burger?
A jammy Zinfandel or a ripe Shiraz is perfect for a barbecue burger. The wine ripe, sweet-edged fruit mirrors the sweet, smoky sauce, making a seamless match.
Can you pair wine with a veggie burger?
Yes. A savory, earthy red like Merlot works well with a mushroom-based veggie burger, while a lighter, fruitier red or a rose suits a bean or vegetable patty.
Sources and further reading
- Wines of Argentina, on Malbec
- USDA FoodSafety.gov, ground beef should reach 160F