This post is sponsored by La Crema, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
"Usually wine isn’t the first beverage you think about when planning to host a barbecue. Several other drinks come to mind way before anyone would consider breaking out the chardonnay. But what if we told you that the right wine and burger pairings could take your barbecue to the next level? And once you try them, we promise you’ll never reach for a beer at the grill again.
Wine is a multi-sensory experience, so both the taste and aromatic profiles of a certain wine will become heightened with the right food. Burgers are no exception. However, the perfect wine and burger pairing is fully dependent on the type of meat and toppings you plan to use. In order to provide you with a variety of unique and delicious pairing options, we turned to the experts on wine: La Crema.
La Crema wine is described as the “best of the vine”—and for good reason. Their hands-on wine-making process consistently produces distinct, elegant wine styles that are sure to please a variety of palates. To provide you with their best recommendations, they enlisted their talented Executive Chef, Tracey Shepos Cenami, to share her top barbecue pairings. Her recipes have been published in magazines and newspapers, and she is a three-time winner of Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games, so we’re confident her suggestions will elevate any barbecue.
Meet the expert
Tracey Shepos Cenami
Executive Chef, La Crema
Chef Tracey says, “The burger has evolved so much beyond the beef-centered classic, so it’s safe to say many wines can pair excellently with burgers. The combinations can be as varied as the toppings one chooses.” Below, check out five of Chef Tracey’s most delicious wine and burger barbecue pairings.
Ground Beef Burger & Russian River Pinot Noir
When it comes to pairing any food and wine, Chef Tracey advises that “you want the flavors to complement, not compete, so I would suggest letting the protein of the burger be the main star so more of the primary flavors between the burger and wine can marry together.” Using her advice, we’ve divided up our combinations by meat base.
First up is the classic ground beef burger, which she pairs with La Crema’s Russian River Pinot Noir. It has aromas of blackberry, raspberry, and spicy cake followed by flavors of fresh cherry, boysenberry, and pomegranate. With so many layered flavors, it pairs well with most grilled and roasted meat—beef especially brings out the boldness of this soulful wine. She also recommends topping this burger with cheddar cheese in order to compliment the burger and wine flavors even more.
La Crema
Use code LCEVERYMOM to receive 15% off + free shipping when you order four or more bottles!
Turkey Burger & Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Turkey burgers pair the best with La Crema’s Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir due to its use of bold red fruits in the flavor profile. With aromas of raspberry, black licorice, and exotic tea notes, this wine will be a delight to smell all while tasting its flavors of red cherry and hints of espresso. Chef Tracey says gouda cheese is the best burger topping for this wine pairing.
Salmon Burger & Monterey Rosé
Salmon burgers are a great option for pescatarians and pair deliciously with La Crema’s Monterey Rosé. La Crema’s Monterey, California vineyard has an ever-present breeze and maritime influence, and this rosé captures the diverse flavor characteristics of its location. The delicate aromas of orange blossom and sweet watermelon followed by peach and orange creamsicle flavors create a juicy acidity in this wine. Top your salmon burger with havarti cheese and your senses will be singing.
La Crema
Use code LCEVERYMOM to receive 15% off + free shipping when you order four or more bottles!
Impossible Burger & Monterey Pinot Noir
Impossible burgers are made with soy and plant-based ingredients, so Chef Tracey suggests pairing them with a wine that’s rich with a plush texture like La Crema’s Monterey Pinot Noir. Black plum and rhubarb are followed by flavors of red plum, blackberry, and pomegranate giving this pinot noir a balanced acidity. Vegan provolone cheese will naturally compliment both flavors of the burger and wine.
Mushroom Burger & Monterey Chardonnay
Mushroom burgers are loved by both vegetarians and meat eaters due to their juicy and savory flavors. La Crema’s Monterey Chardonnay balances the taste out with its aromas of baked apple, graham cracker, and pineapple—plus, bright flavors of Asian pear and orange-tangerine. Top your mushroom burgers with a creamy brie and you’ve got a mouth-watering combination on your hands, according to Chef Tracey.
This post is sponsored by La Crema, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.