There’s nothing quite like the pairing of a classic, fresh-off-the-grill burger and ice-cold beer on a hot summer day. But burgers and wine can be an equally delicious duo. After all, burgers are a casual, fun food—they wonderfully complement wines that share those traits.
You don’t want something that’s going to feel super heavy and weigh you down. You want something refreshing—nothing that makes you want to take a nap.
No matter what type of burger you’re cooking up this summer, consider this your sign to break out the wine glasses. (Plastic is fine—after all, this is a casual situation!) These burger and wine-pairing picks, dreamed up by drinks experts and matched with bottles from the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Department, are sure to keep the party going.
The Best Wine for a Classic Hamburger: Dolcetto (Dolcetto d’Alba)
“A well-executed burger has incredible umami, which makes it versatile to pair with [many] styles of wines,” says Yannick Benjamin, Wine Enthusiast’s 2021 sommelier and beverage director of the Year. He suggests “a beautiful Dolcetto from Piedmont.” Dolcetto means “little sweet one” in Italian, and although it’s not sweet, its notes of juicy berry fruit and hint of savory heft helps it stand up to a quintessential beef burger. These wines are meant to be enjoyed young. “They have enough tannin to balance richer foods,” says Benjamin, but it won’t weigh you down.
The Best Wine for a Turkey Burger: Rosato
A fuller-bodied rosé to enjoy with a turkey burger. That’s because there are often a lot of flavors contained in a single burger, from toppings and sauces to the patty itself. Because turkey patties are a little milder than their beefy cousins, they’re arguably more likely to be tricked out with condiments.
Rosé is something that won’t be at odds with the flavors of lettuce, tomato and avocado, and really pairs well with all the options. Opting for a heartier style of rosé with citrus and plum notes is recommended since it’s still refreshing enough to sip on a sunny afternoon with turkey burger in hand.
The Best Wine for a Cheeseburger: Beaujolais
Burger plus melted cheese equals a weighty flavor bomb, so you’re going to want “a bit more of a palate-cleansing wine, because the cheese brings an element of richness,” says a sommelier in New York City. A lighter and brighter style of red wine that will lift you back up, like a Beaujolais, is a great option. It’s “nice and fresh, with red and black fruits, and a little bit of a floral note,” he says. It’s a perfect foil for a meaty, cheesy cheeseburger.
The Best Wine for a Lamb Burger: Cabernet Franc
A wine with a complex nose, vivid fruit flavors and herbal undertone is a great option to help stand up to the slight funk of lamb. A Cab Franc from the Loire Valley when possible is suggested, especially if the burger has some feta cheese, which they typically do. The berries and chili pepper notes of this Cab Franc make it the perfect pairing.
The Best Wine for a Traditional Veggie Burger: Lambrusco
When it comes to old-school veggie burgers, the kind where you can see black beans and corn right in the patty, there’s still heft and richness, even though it’s vegetarian, so you should not add too much weight. Go for a Lambrusco. It’s not super dark and inky like some Lambrusco. It drinks more like a full-bodied rosé or a light-bodied red, with good acidity, refreshing lift, and enough acid to cut through a veggie burger.
