A Simple Guide to Pairing Burgers and Red Wine

The world is filled with all kinds of delicious food, but there's nothing out there that's quite like the experience of biting into a fresh, juicy burger. The perfect marriage between a bread bun and a patty, the burger has long been a symbol of the American foodscape. Burgers are the perfect all-American food, as they are filling, yet easy to put together, and versatile enough that you can experiment with toppings to your heart's content. Previously on the blog, we talked about 'Next Level Grilled Burgers' that will help you expand your burger portfolio. Today, we're going to bring that a step further by helping you figure out what wine to pair with your favorite Steakhouse Elite burger.

Wine has always been seen as a sophisticated beverage, one that requires a bit more thought than a fresh, cold can of beer. Its origins can be traced to millennia ago, with the earliest evidence of wine coming from Georgia dating to about 6000 BC. While a glass of wine may be shorthand for 'fancy', the reality is that anyone can build an appreciation for it. And what better excuse to build that appreciation than by pairing it with a juicy burger? Here's a simple guide to pairing your Steakhouse Elite burger with wine for that little bit of 'oomph' to elevate your dining experience -- even if you're just grilling burgers at home.

Kobe-Crafted Beef Burger

Kobe-Crafted beef burgers go well with a bottle of Spain's finest Cabernet Sauvignon, which has a structure and tannins that complement the melt-in-your-mouth richness of the beef. While Spain is more well-known for its Rioja, the country also produces some complex varieties of Cabernet in La Mancha, Catalonia, and Navarra. This wine culture has also influenced Asian countries like the Philippines. In a post on 'Wineries and Wine Culture in the Philippines', the article highlights how restaurants should be serving high-quality Spanish wines to go with any Kobe-style beef burgers, or they are doing it wrong!

Grass-fed Beef Burger

Grass-fed beef is well-known for its meatier taste, which is packed with minerals from grass and other forage. This variety of beef also tends to have less marbling when compared to grain-fed, and has a more distinct flavor profile as well. Pair your grass-fed beef burger with a Pinot Noir, as the earthy tannins will help cut through the charred meat taste and complement the overall experience.

Angus Beef Burger

Angus beef is a variety of beef that has a tendency to develop better marbling, which improves flavor, tenderness, and keeps meat moist and juicy while cooking. As such, it's a favorite for burger patties. For your classic Angus beef burger, go for wines that pair well with red meat, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. You can also choose a nice Malbec with a higher than normal acidity to complement the beefy taste.

Finding the perfect wine to go with your favorite burger is one sure way to transform grill day. Got any other ideas? Shoot us a message! After all, Elite Steakhouse is all about savoring the moment and creating better beef moments for everyone!


exclusively written for steakhouseelite.com
by Raven Janell