What happens when Italian wines meet one of the most famous American recipes? It’s love at first bite, or sip – especially when it comes to pairing beef and red wine.
The best varieties are light or, at the most, medium-bodied wines that don’t mask the flavor of the meat and pair well with the sweetness of the bread and the sauces. Even spumante or sparkling wines are an interesting choice, as they’re able to cleanse the palate of any greasiness from the sauces and cheese. We’ve searched high and low throughout Italy to bring you the best pairings, including famous labels such as Lambrusco or Chianti, as well as some gems to discover, like Rossese di Dolceacqua.
Here are our picks:
Franciacorta Annamaria Clementi Rosé 2009 – Ca’ del Bosco
Who said a good burger can’t be a gourmet meal to remember? Try pairing it with this sparkling rosé, one of the most exclusive produced in Italy. Its elegant effervescence will help refresh the palate between each bite, while the structure of the pinot noir will perfectly complement the beef.
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Villa Gemma 2018 – Masciarelli
With its great structure, this rosé comes from one of the best-suited regions in Italy for the production of this type of wine. It features intense aromas of pomegranate, black cherry, and rose petals, as well a bold, fresh, balanced taste.
Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Vigneto Cialdini 2018 – Cleto Chiarli
Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine produced in Emilia Romagna, one of the most joyous regions of Italy. The character of its inhabitants can also be found in a glass of this wine: bubbly and delicious with a taste reminiscent of berries, it’s perfect to cut through the burger’s flavorful oils.
Il Borro 2015 – Il Borro
This concentrated, full-bodied red is made with international grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, which evoke the essence of Tuscany. The barrique aging provides a smooth flavor and the utmost elegance. While still delicious right away, it’s even better after spending a few years in the bottle.
Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2017 – Tommasi
This red wine from Veneto is the “younger brother” of Amarone: it’s produced with the same grapes (corvina, rondinella, and corvinone) and passed over the pomace of Amarone, as its name suggests (“ripasso” literally means “to pass over”). It features delicious hints of ripe cherries and spices such as pepper, perfect for adding a touch more flavor to the classic burger.
Barbera d’Alba 2017 – Cordero di Montezemolo
Barbera is one of the most typical and famous wines from Piedmont. It has a medium body and a delicious acidity that allows it to pair perfectly with meat dishes, especially those rich in flavor like a burger.
Primitivo di Manduria Lirica 2017– Cantina Produttori di Manduria
From southern Italy, this full-bodied, smooth wine features an enveloping taste. It’s almost as if it were purposely made to go with beef and ketchup.
Chianti Rufina 2017 – Fattoria Selvapiana
One of the most classic pairings: in Tuscany, this famous red always goes with grilled meat. Choose a fresh variety, such as those produced in the Rufina area, which will also pair well with the sauces.
Pomino Pinot Nero 2017 – Frescobaldi
Fruity, floral, fresh, and balanced. These are the characteristics of this Tuscan Pinot Noir, which masterfully combines freshness and flavor with the warmth of alcohol. Medium-bodied, it’s intriguing in its aroma of berries, sweet spices, and toasty notes.
Rossese di Dolceacqua Superiore Posaù 2017 – Maccario Dringenberg
Fresh, light, and pleasant, this rare red from Liguria is also very popular with Hollywood stars and is often compared in body and ease of drinking to pinot noirs from nearby Burgundy. Among the best under this label are, hands down, those from wine grower Giovanna Maccario. Posaù comes from a single vineyard and features spicy, iodized, and slightly earthy notes. We guarantee you’ll love it, even when not paired with a burger.