Mofo guide to pairing | Burgers

Vinomofo
By Vinomofo
over 1 year ago
3 min read

Look inside yourself and ask this question; is there any food more truly satisfying than a good burger? Honestly - be it meat, veggie or fish, however you do yours - it's something we can rarely say no to when it catches our eye on the menu. 

The only thing that can elevate a burger in our eyes? A good wine to pair with it. Here’s our picks, depending on what kind of burger we’re feeling.


Classic beefburger

Grenache, sangiovese

Juicy red patty, meet a juicy red wine. Because of all of that rich protein we’re reaching for something with a bit of tannin (nothing huge, but something that will vibe), so a grenache or a classic sangiovese or Tuscan Chianti is our pick. 

Check out: Grenache 2018 – Black Market Deal #44850


Cheeseburger

Shiraz, GSM, malbec, cabernet sauvignon

If you’re giving the richness metre a bit of a nudge and introducing some cheese into the mix, hey, we’re right there with you. Same as before we’re looking for some tannin, but turning the level dial slightly to find something that will go toe-to-toe with that additional protein and tanginess. Shiraz, GSM, malbec and cab sauv all fit the bill here, giving you a matching richness and depth to create heaps of harmoniously complimentary and contrasting flavours.  

Check out: Fabre Montmayou Reserva Malbec 2020


Mushroom burger

Pinot noir, nebbiolo

A great grilled garlicky portobello between a toasted brioche bun is *chef’s kiss* - even if you’re not normally veggie inclined. We’re looking for a bit of tannin as before, but also a wine that can hang with that savoury, umami depth of the mushroom - so here we’re going with a classic cool-climate pinot that can either offer contrasting fruits, or that same complimentary savouriness. If you’re going richer for your pairing (adding, say, a slice of blue cheese), nebbiolo is a good choice for all the same reasons - tannin, depth and deliciousness in spades.

Check out: Cascina Ca'Rossa Funsu Langhe Nebbiolo 2021


Chicken burger

Chardonnay, riesling, grüner veltliner

There’s also definitely a soft spot in our rapidly-congesting hearts for a bit of southern, deep or otherwise fried chook, especially served with some lettuce, slaw, and did we see some cheese and bacon in the mix too? For fried chicken, you can’t go wrong with a chardy in any of its forms, especially if it's seen some time in oak too to really give it some richness and depth to match the burger. Otherwise riesling is always a good choice to bring its typical zesty, zing to a zinger, and grüner veltliner is also a good shout too if you’re looking for something a bit more textural.

Check out: Chardonnay 2021 – Black Market Deal #44978


Fish burger

Champagne, riesling, pinot gris/grigio, sauvignon blanc

We’re a huge fan of traditional method sparkling with fish ‘n’ chips, and it works just as well (perhaps, dare we say it, better) with a fried fish burger, with those bready, brioche, yeasty notes of a Champagne or similar complimenting the bun. Riesling, pinot gris/grigio and savvy b are also known for their ability to pair well with almost any catch of the day, given their typically light and refreshing nature, so always welcome at the table here too.

Check out: Middle Earth Wines Pinot Gris 2021


As ever with pairings, the beauty is always discovering the new - so don’t be afraid to veer from the beaten path and see which wines work for you.

Got the burgers, need the wine? Check out our latest and greatest.

Hey Kids!

Under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 it is an offence:

  • to supply alcohol to a person under the age of 18 years (penalty exceeds $23,000).
  • for a person under the age of 18 years to purchase or receive liquor (penalty exceeds $900)

Liquor Licence No. 36300937

Seriously

At Vinomofo, we love our wine, but we like to also lead long and happy lives, and be good to the world and the people in it. We all try to drink responsibly, in moderation, and we really hope you do too.

Don’t be that person…

Acknowledgement of Country

Vinomofo acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continued connection to the land and waters of this country.

We acknowledge this place always was, and always will be Aboriginal land.