What to Drink With ... Wine of the Week

by Gretchen Roberts, Posted Oct 5th 2009 @ 3:00PM

World's biggest burger. Photo: Bill Mealbach.

Gretchen Roberts writes the wine blog Vinobite, has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

There are so many culinary wonders (and occasionally questionable indulgences) in the Slashfood archives, just waiting to be washed down with equally delicious wines. Here are six pairings from our September archive that will make you thirsty...or make you sick. You decide.

With fall officially in full swing, it's time to break out sweaters, hot cider and even our oven mitts after a summer avoiding the stove. Jennifer Iserloh's Ropa Vieja, a Cuban dish of shredded beef in a tomato sauce, would pair nicely with a light, fruity Italian Dolcetto or a sweet and spicy California Zinfandel.

For Southerners who haven't been blessed with a dose of crisp fall weather yet, Gena Knox's Shrimp and Mango Summer Rolls are a lovely way to wind down a warm day, preferably with an off-dry Riesling.

More exciting news on the sustainable seafood front: Slashfood editor, Lisa Schweitzer, reports that sustainable caviar is now available. They don't have to kill the fish to harvest the eggs, but the process is a bit reminiscent of that urban legend about unsuspecting travelers waking up in a bathtub full of ice, sans one kidney. Caviar's classic wine match is Champagne, but make sure you choose a sustainable one that didn't kill any grapes in the making (just kidding).

Single Slashfoodies can whip up Sarah LeTrent's Turkey, Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tart in a flash. Find the perfect half-bottle of California Chardonnay at Half Wit Wines to match.

And now we move into the absurd category: For just $499 you can have your very own 185-pound burger at Mallie's Sports Grill in Southgate, Mich. What to drink with this monster burger? Why, a Nebuchadnezzar (that's 20 bottles' worth) of Cabernet Sauvignon, of course ... if you can find one.

Finally, in a nod to the recession, Hardee's is offering the Fried Bologna Biscuit. What's more appropriate for drinking with the inexpensive sandwich besides Two-Buck Chuck?

Got a better wine match for any of these dishes? Let us know in the comments!

Filed Under: Wine of the Week, Drink Recipes, Drinks
Tags: champagne, fall, half-wit wines, Half-witWines, Hardees, ropa vieja, RopaVieja, summer rols, sustainable caviar, SustainableCaviar, TwoBuckChuck, wine, wine of the week, wine pairing