Let’s Put Together a Backyard Burger Party!
Spring has sprung! It’s time to call some friends over and put together a grilling party. Someone can flip the burgers while you pour the wine!
Burgers come in all sizes and styles; there are literally hundreds of ways of turning a burger patty and a bun into an immensely satisfying meal. Burgers are casual, exciting and crowd-pleasers, and when done right, they’re unforgettable. So, how to make the most out of our favourite comfort food? Read all about it. The right pairing will change the way you eat beef burgers forever. Light up the grill, and let’s get started!
The Burger
When it comes to burgers, there’s no right or wrong answer. We all like ours differently. Having said that, here’s a quick and easy burger that’s as tasty as it is satisfying. Try it and see if it sings to you!
Ingredients:
- 1 Angus burger patty
- 1 slice of American cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 onion, sliced
- 1 leaf lettuce
- 1 bun of your choice
- 2 pickles
- 2 slices of tomato
- Condiments to taste
Directions:
- Grill the burger patty, flipping once. After flipped, top with American cheese and let it melt. Set aside.
- In a skillet, melt the butter and sauté the onions until fragrant and translucent. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, toast the bun on both sides and reserve.
- Build the burger with the burger patty topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles and condiments.
- Serve with thin-cut French fries.
The Wine for Your Burger
The perfect wine to pair with a thick cheeseburger like the one we made above must be as robust and flavourful as the burger itself. This calls for a fruit-forward red wine from a warm weather wine region, here in Australia we have plenty of those and California too!
Margaret River Cab. Margaret River is known for its exclusive Cabernet that never disappoints. A nice, oaky Cabernet with cassis and oak aromas will shine when served with a fatty burger.
California Zinfandel. Big, bold and juicy with residual sugar, high alcoholic strength and a robust characteristic. Look for red Zinfandel, and if it comes from old vines, even better.
Not long ago I sipped Snoop Dogg’s 19 Crimes Cali Red, is a blend of Petite Syrah and Zinfandel from California. Paired it with a Compton Burger, the combination rewards you with sweet red and black fruit aromas over a bold, dry palate with moderate acidity and a bold mouthfeel. Not overly tannic, this one is just easy to enjoy, making it a perfect alternative for casual get-togethers.
Italian Primitivo. Primitivo is the Italian name for Zinfandel. The wine is equally bold but earthier, and it has a more structured palate.
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