Serving Wine with Hamburgers. Liven up your summer entertaining. Chef Chris Schlesinger gives wine pairing advice by matching the burger topping with the perfect wine to go with it.
From chili cheeseburgers to Hawaiian-style pineapple-topped burgers, Americans can't get enough of this classic sandwich. In fact, hamburgers top the list as the most popular grilled food, according to the 2001 Weber® GrillWatch survey. And, whether you're into bold flavors or basic toppings nothing tops off a burger better than a simple glass of wine. See below for specific pairings.
| BURGER TOPPINGS | WINE SUGGESTIONS |
| Grilled Pineapple | Fruity Chardonnay for those who like white wine, or Beaujolais for those who prefer red will be delicious with this topping. |
| Grilled white onions and sautéed mushrooms with Swiss cheese | An Italian Chianti or a California Sangiovese will be great with the mushrooms. |
| Pickled relish and yellow mustard | White Zinfandel offers a soft and fruity balance to these piquant flavors. |
| Lettuce, tomato, raw red onion, ketchup and mayonnaise | An Australian Shiraz or a Syrah from California can stand up to these varied flavors. |
| Chili Cheese Burger | The All-American Zinfandel has spiciness to match the chili. |
| Black pepper, gorgonzola and hot mustard | Cabernet Sauvignon with a Burger? Yes, with this one. |
| Avocado, cucumber and sprouts | White wine lovers will go for Sauvignon Blanc, those who like red try Merlot. |
Christopher Schlesinger is a barbecue and grilling expert and the author of numerous books including License to Grill: Achieve Greatness At The Grill With 200 Sizzling Recipes (1997,William Morrow Cookbooks).
