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Wine is the new fries: 6 ways to pair your fave burgers with wine

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 09 Apr 2024

By
Emily Reed

Fast-food chain burgers with glasses of wine

A grenache with your Whopper? How about an albariño with your Filet-O-Fish? If you thought your favourite burger was already tasty, think again.

You know that feeling when you’re famished and about to devour your favourite burger? It finally lands at the table (or through your car window), you pick it up with both hands and savour that first incredible bite. Hunger satiated. Good times. This all sounds great, but frankly, your burger experience could be infinitely more exciting (and delicious) if you pair it with an expertly chosen glass of wine. 

We figured our very own Dan’s Wine Merchant and self-professed ‘wine mom’, Colleen Haggarty, would be the right person to ask. Turns out we were right – ”I am a burger fiend, COUNT ME IN”. And below, Colleen has done the mouthwatering research for you. So, now all that’s left to do is choose a burger, grab a bottle of wine and wonder why you weren’t pairing Champagne with a KFC Zinger burger earlier. Oh, and happy International Burger Day on May 28 for all who celebrate.

Hungry Jacks Whopper with Z Wine Rustica Barossa Valley Grenache

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1. Hungry Jacks Whopper with Z Wine Rustica Barossa Valley Grenache

We’re kicking it off with a classic. You’re probably familiar with the Hungry Jacks Whopper because even if you don’t order it, its flame-grilled beef patty, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles, mayo and tomato sauce often cinematically fly across your TV screen and land atop a lightly toasted bun. A grenache is going to pair perfectly with a Whopper. Why? It provides just the right amount of richness and juiciness without weighing down the entire meal, according to Colleen. “Grenache also has hints of smoky notes and works well with char from the grill – and fresh tomatoes and tomato sauce play nicely with grenache, too,” she says. Z Wine’s grenache is a winner in Colleen’s book with its subtle white pepper notes bolstered by crushed berry aromas. “And at a very approachable price,” says Colleen.

2. Carl's JR Western Bacon Cheeseburger with Munda Kaurna Country Syrah

A tasty chargrilled patty, bacon, melted American cheese, crispy onion rings and barbecue sauce are just asking to be paired with a tasty syrah (AKA shiraz). Colleen recommends trying something new and distinctly Australian with Munda’s Kaurna Country Syrah. This drop was the Indigenous-owned wine label’s first release, which proudly wears its Kaurna Country provenance (AKA McLaren Vale) on the front label. “As this syrah is medium-bodied, but also well-balanced, it’ll work perfectly with the beef without overpowering it,” she explains. Then there are the tannins that help cut through the burger’s fat and juiciness, preventing the dish from feeling too heavy. “The dark fruit flavours of red flowers, cacao and cooking spice will work well with the bacon and chargrilled patty, too,” says Colleen.
Carl's JR Western Bacon Cheeseburger with Munda Kaurna Country Syrah

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KFC Zinger with Lanson Le Rosé Champagne NV

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3. KFC Zinger with Lanson Le Rosé Champagne NV

If you haven’t had the pleasure of sipping a flute of fancy Champagne while nibbling on some freshly fried chicken, now’s your chance. “Anything fried always works well with bubbles. Fried chicken provides a nice contrast to the Champagne’s crispness and does a bit of a palate ‘refresh’ each sip so you’re ready for the next bite,” explains Colleen. Every element of a Zinger complements this ready-to-drink bubbly rosé, but the chicken is really where the magic happens. Lanson’s Le Rosé’s red-fruit notes (think strawberry and raspberry) add a touch of sweetness that harmonises with the chicken’s 11 herbs and spices. “This creates a balanced and nuanced flavour profile,” explains Colleen. Just when you thought that secret recipe couldn’t get any better!

4. Grill’d Bird & Brie with La Crema Monterey Chardonnay

There should be more burgers with brie in them. There, we said it. Here we have a juicy grilled chicken breast starring alongside cos lettuce, tomato, red onion, cranberry sauce, and herbed mayo in Grill’d’s Bird & Brie burger. Colleen explains that chardonnay and chicken are the very best of friends. “A match made in heaven! Then you add the richness of the brie, which works beautifully given it's a creamy cheese matched with a creamy wine,” she says. There’s also a delightful balance between the acidity of the wine and the sweetness of the cranberry sauce. La Crema’s popular chardy heralds from California’s Monterey and has nectarine, papaya and crisp lemon-tangerine notes with a touch of spice and minerality.
Grill’d Bird & Brie with La Crema Monterey Chardonnay

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McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish with Marques de Murrieta Pazito Pazo Barrantes Albariño

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5. McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish with Marques de Murrieta Pazito Pazo Barrantes Albariño

We know what you’re thinking: the Filet-O-Fish is a divisive burger. Whether you’re a diehard fishy fan or you couldn’t imagine anything worse, there’s no denying pairing it with a glass of albariño (a variety of white wine grape grown in Northwest Portugal) will take your tastebuds on a journey. The Pazito Pazo Barrantes from Marques de Murrieta is perfumed with lime, pear, white flowers and notes of fresh herbs. Sipped next to the fried fish, melted American cheese and tartar sauce of the Filet-O-Fish, it’s a banger. “The acidity of an albariño will cut through the crispy fish patty, and the citrus notes will work well with the tartar sauce,” says Colleen. There’s nothing fishy about that!

6. Oporto Bondi with Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc

A burger named after Australia’s most iconic beach? Of course! Oporto takes a grilled chicken breast, lettuce, cheese, creamy mayo and chilli sauce and turns it into something pretty darn tasty. But it gets even tastier when you introduce a glass of Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc. “The citrus and tropical fruit of a sauv blanc will work well with the grilled chicken and crunchy lettuce – and given this variety can show herbal characteristics, it’ll match up to the zesty chilli sauce,” says Colleen. Here, she’s opted for a classic New Zealand savvy b brimming with fresh and zingy characters that display ripe passionfruit and citrus flavours – all complemented by lingering acidity, “which adds some refreshment to the creamy mayo”.
Oporto Bondi with Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc

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Want more fun food and drink pairings? Check out our articles that offer all sorts of ideas across beer, wine, spirits, cocktails and more.    
Shop related products
Z WineRustica Barossa Valley Grenache
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Rustica Barossa Valley Grenache
$19.99 each
 
LansonLe Rosé Champagne NV
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Le Rosé Champagne NV
$95.99 each
 
La CremaMonterey Chardonnay
Monterey Chardonnay
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$41 per bottle Non-Member: $44.99 each
 
Marques de MurrietaPazito Barrantes Albarino
Pazito Barrantes Albarino
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$29 per bottle Non-Member: $32.99 each
 
Munda WinesKaurna Country Syrah
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Kaurna Country Syrah
$44.99 each
 
image credits: Jae Jun Kim (illustrator)
Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
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Hit ListRed WineRoséWhite WineSparklingShirazChampagneGrenacheFun pairingsWineFood pairingsSauvignon Blanc
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