Burgers and Beaujolais wines is always a winning pairing! Why? Simply because there is bound to be a Beaujolais wine that will perfectly complement your burger, whether it is meat-based, vegetarian, or even seafood-based. While the perfect wine-food pairing is the one that best suits your own tastes, it’s not always easy to find it. Here are some suggestions to help you.
The classic pairing: beef and red wine
When you think burger, you usually think beef burger. Red meat calls for a wine of the same colour, and that’s just as well, there are plenty of Beaujolais reds! Choose one with a bright acidity that will wake up your tastebuds and counterbalance the fat of the meat and cheese. We suggest the Régnié, Chénas, and Fleurie appellations which pair well with beef burgers!
If you’re trying out a recipe with stronger flavours like our aged steak burger, with chanterelle mushrooms and mature cheddar, a generous and dense wine is ideal. For example? A Morgon, a Moulin-à-Vent, or an old Côte de Brouilly… But for something a little different, a slightly aged Beaujolais Nouveau will do the trick!
Yes, Beaujolais Nouveaux wines can be enjoyed beyond the 3rd Thursday in November! Listen to our podcast on the topic.
Veggie burgers: vegetable patties or mushrooms and a fruity red wine
Flexitarians and vegetarians have plenty of options when it comes to filling their meat-free burgers. Whether you’re making a patty from vegetables, legumes, and spices or filling a burger bun with large grilled mushrooms such as portobello mushrooms, the result is often breathtaking. To elevate a veggie burger, choose a light and fruity Brouilly, or even a Régnié or a Chiroubles, they will work very well.
Burgers and Beaujolais wines can also be enjoyed in any Bistrots Beaujolais!
Have you ever heard of “Bistrots Beaujolais”? It is a label that recognises restaurants whose owners love Beaujolais wines. Whether they are brasseries, wine bars, bistros or Michelin-starred restaurants, they all have a deep-rooted sense of friendliness and a strong attachment to the Beaujolais vineyard. Check out this map to see where they are located, whether they are in France or elsewhere in the world.
Many Bistrots Beaujolais offer their own take on burgers and will be able to advise you on the best wine pairing. Here are some suggestions:
In Paris: Bilili and Les Arlots, in the 15th arrondissement, two dining cellars where the burgers (when there are some left) are to die for, or Mesturet’s iconic duck burger in the 2nd arrondissement
In the Beaujolais region: the burgers made at Buffet de la Gare (Belleville-sur-Saône) are worth the detour, and La Benoite (Salles-Arbuissonnas-en-Beaujolais) organises “Burger Thursdays”
In Lyon: La Pièce du Boucher in Limonest and Au Jean Moulin in Caluire are a must!
Ramp up the heat: hints of spice in the ingredients and in Beaujolais wines
Do you like spicy sauces? Choose a Beaujolais wine with hints of spice and pepper like a Juliénas, a Saint-Amour or even a Beaujolais Villages. The pairing will work if the wine is able to keep up with the spiciness of the sauce! Avoid mellow wines, they will seem dull in comparison.
A Beaujolais white and fish: let’s take a look at seafood burgers
Chicken burgers are also a great option, with a chicken breast either tender and served with a sauce or fried and crispy. These flavours call for a light red wine which will provide a hint of acidity and fruitiness, ideal for this pairing. We suggest a Brouilly, a Fleurie or a Saint-Amour. A preference for white wine? A Beaujolais White can absolutely work with this dish!
Chicken burgers: white meat and a light red wine
Chicken burgers are also a great option, with a chicken breast either tender and served with a sauce or fried and crispy. These flavours call for a light red wine which will provide a hint of acidity and fruitiness, ideal for this pairing. We suggest a Brouilly, a Fleurie or a Saint-Amour. A preference for white wine? A Beaujolais White can absolutely work with this dish!
The most Beaujolais of burgers
If you are fortunate enough to be in the Beaujolais region in late September early October, you may have the opportunity to try the famous “Burger du Paradis”! It’s a unique recipe and a registered trademark that can only be tasted in the Beaujolais region at a specific event: la Fête du Paradis. After the harvest, the village of Odenas (located at the foot of Mont Brouilly in the Beaujolais region) celebrates “paradis” wine, the still sweet, alcoholic juice that drains from Beaujolais presses. For over 40 years, Odenas’s events committee has kept the tradition of this event alive. Among other things, they serve the “Burger du Paradis”, a delicious burger bun filled with saucisson cooked in left-over grape pulp, goat’s cheese, “paradis” wine sauce and salad. To be enjoyed onsite, with a glass of “paradis” wine of course!
There is a Beaujolais wine to go with every type of burger! The vineyard has a wide range of wines on offer and there is one to suit every taste, from light red wines to denser, fleshier wines, as well as white wines that are more appropriate for certain pairings. Everything you need for a real treat: Beaujolais wines paired with delicious, convivial recipes!
