So, You're Out of 1961 Cheval Blanc. . .

The common reasoning for choosing a wine for burgers is “just use the cheap red stuff!”  The implication is that being paired with a hamburger amounts to slumming for a good wine (in the last scene of Sideways, Miles drinks a 1961 Cheval Blanc at a fast-food joint) or is perfectly appropriate for simple, cheap wine. But a burger is one of the noblest foods ever conceived. A wine should be honored to be consumed in such presence.

There are a few dozen reasons you don’t want that rot-gut wine for a good burger at home, but before we begin to consider which wine to serve with your burger, let’s first define your burger!  What is it, exactly? Decide on the type and style of burger that you’ll be serving, and the wine suggestions will follow.

American Cheeseburger
Ingredients/Condiments: American cheese, Thousand Island, Red Onion, Tomato, Pickles, Lettuce
Red Wine: Lodi Zinfandel
White Wine: Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

Blue Cheeseburger
Ingredients/Condiments: Tarragon, Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, Caramelized Onion, Blue Cheese
Red Wine: Barbera d’Alba
White Wine: Austrian Grüner Vetliner

Fried Egg Cheeseburger
Ingredients/Condiments: American cheese, Grilled White Onion, Pickles, Fried Egg
Red Wine: Beaujolais Village Gamay
White Wine: Veneto Pinot Grigio

Bacon Swiss Cheeseburger
Ingredients/Condiments: Thyme, Tabasco, Worcestershire Sauce, Swiss cheese, Avocado, Red Onion, Tomato, Lettuce
Red Wine: Jura Trousseau
White Wine: Swiss Fendant (Chasselas)

Chile Cheeseburger
Ingredients/Condiments: Anaheim Peppers, Jalapenos, Garlic, Monterey Jack Cheese, Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Onion, Tomato, Lettuce
Red Wine: Colchagua Valley Carmenere
White Wine: Casablanca Valley Unoaked Chardonnay

Veggie Burger
Ingredients/Condiments: Tofu, Cremini Mushrooms, Kidney Beans, Beet, Almonds, Cotija Cheese, Scallions, Garlic, Smoked Paprika, Tempeh, Brown Rice
Red Wine: Argentina Organic Malbec
White Wine: Columbia Valley Organic Riesling

Turkey Cheeseburger
Ingredients/Condiments: Scallions, Garlic, Dijon Mustard, Gruyere Cheese
Red Wine: Loire or Virginia Cabernet Franc
White Wine: German or New York Riesling

Salmon Burger
Ingredients/Condiments: Salmon, Dijon Mustard, Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice, Cayenne Pepper, Scallions, Arugula, Tartar Sauce
Rosé Wine: Tavel Rosé
White Wine: Greek Santorini Assyrtico

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