What wine to drink with a burger?

Pairing Wine with Burgers

Homemade burgers, made with quality meat, unique sauces, and fresh ingredients, also deserve a thoughtful wine pairing. Depending on your recipe, the type of meat, and the toppings, you can enjoy various wines with your burger. Here’s a selection of wines from the best terroirs and winemakers to ensure successful pairings.

Red Wine with Beef Burgers

Beef burgers, particularly those cooked to a juicy, medium-rare perfection, are beloved by gourmets. For a classic beef burger, choose a fruity and warm red wine such as an AOP Côtes du Rhône, an AOC Languedoc-Roussillon, or a Médoc. If you prefer a red wine with more body and charm, go for a vintage Bordeaux.

For a gourmet burger featuring seared foie gras, consider pairing it with Burgundy wines such as Nuit-Saint-Georges, Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, or Pommard. The red fruit notes of these wines complement the rich flavors of this exceptional dish.

White Wine with Chicken Burgers

Chicken burgers, whether made with a marinated chicken fillet or a crispy breaded piece topped with melting cheese, are also popular. For a breaded chicken burger, opt for sunny, fruity dry white wines. A Provence wine, like a Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, with its notes of white flowers and white-fleshed fruits, will pair perfectly with the chicken, toppings, and cheese.

If your burger has an exotic twist with curry sauce, the fruitiness and freshness of Alsace wines will be ideal. Try varietals like Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris to enhance your homemade burger.

Wine with Vegetarian Burgers

Looking for a change? Opt for a vegetarian burger made with vegetable patties, soy, or breaded tofu in a homemade bun. For a vegetarian burger with a mix of flavors, a light red wine would be an excellent choice. A Gamay-based wine, such as a fruity Beaujolais with soft tannins, will complement your burger wonderfully.

If you prefer white wine, a dry white wine is a great choice for your vegetarian burger. A Loire wine, like an Anjou blanc with Sauvignon Blanc, will highlight the flavors of your burger and delight your taste buds. Alternatively, a single-varietal Chardonnay from Burgundy, such as Petit-Chablis, will balance your burger with its finesse and acidity.

FAQ - Wine and burger

What red wine goes with a beef burger?

A fruity, warming red suits juicy, medium-rare meat: Côtes du Rhône, a Languedoc-Roussillon appellation or a Médoc. For more body, a vintage Bordeaux stands up to the richness of the beef.

What wine pairs with a breaded chicken burger?

A dry, fruity white matches the crispy chicken and melted cheese. A Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, with its white-flower and white-fleshed-fruit notes, works well with the toppings.

Which wine works with a vegetarian burger?

A light red with soft tannins, such as a Gamay-based Beaujolais, suits a vegetable patty or breaded tofu. For white, an Anjou on Sauvignon or a Petit-Chablis brings freshness and acidity.

What wine suits a burger with seared foie gras?

This festive burger calls for a Burgundy cru like Nuits-Saint-Georges, Hautes-Côtes de Beaune or Pommard. Their red-fruit notes answer the richness of the seared foie gras.

Red or white wine with a burger?

It depends on the meat. Beef and foie gras call for red, chicken leans towards a dry white, and a vegetarian burger works with either, from a light red to a bright white.