WORDS ON WINE by Robert Black

As we approach winter, this concept is the perfect “welcome mat” for young consumers, proving that luxury doesn’t have to be fussy. For many, comfort food might include burger nights, pizza, pasta, curries, roasts or a spicy take-away. And “great” wine is dictated purely by your personal preference and not just price tags or reviews by critics.

Wine is often matched to “fine” food like confit duck with a complex sauce or a multi-ingredient truffled dish of some sort. The Burger & Bordeaux Protocol is about accessibility. It tells the new consumer that you don’t need a special occasion, or a fourteen-course tasting menu to open a great bottle. It breaks down the barriers of elitism and replaces them with pure sensory joy. Pairing your favourite wine with a comfort classic removes the pressure of performance of fine dining. When you aren’t worried about analysing the complexities of the food together with the wine, you can actually focus on what’s in your glass. Demonstrating the pleasure of a perfect glass of wine with a simple meal is one of the keys to increasing the consumption of wine in today’s younger generation.

Why does the contrast succeed? Think of it like wearing an expensive jacket paired with vintage jeans. The result is you get the best of both worlds. If you are new to wine, you might find red wines a bit “sharp” or “mouth-drying.” This is due to tannins. However, the burger is the ultimate “tannin-tamer.” The heavy fats in beef and cheese wrap around the tannins in the wine, softening them instantly. What felt dry suddenly tastes velvety and fruit-forward. The salt and umami within a burger patty combined with the acid and fruit in a red wine gives enhanced complexity.

And finally, a messy burger vibe paired with your favourite wine results in unpretentious joy. By combining the two, we don’t diminish the wine; we ground it in reality, proving that true luxury is about the quality of the moment, not the price of the plate (or the wine).

Below are two local selections that will appeal to young and old alike. Both suitable for winter drinking at room temperature or slightly chilled in the summer. Stay warm and happy drinking!

2024 Logan Weemala Tempranillo
Made by local industry mainstay Peter Logan from his Mudgee vineyard at an altitude of about 600m. Bright ruby red with a pretty pink hue bursting with maraschino cherry, cola and cocoa aromas. Black/blueberry fruit fills the juicy mid-palate that finishes with hints of cherry ripe and subtle sweet spices. Tempranillo is now the most popular red variety sold in Europe. Pizza yes!
13.5% | RRP $22
loganwines.com.au

2024 Slowfox Malbec
Rob Gregory and Kate Rose own and operate their 7ha vineyard on Black Springs Road, Mudgee. Hand tended vineyard and thoughtful small batch winemaking. Their Malbec is a stand-out. Deeply coloured, it’s firm and complex. A greater spectrum of flavour than Merlot and better structure. Black cherry/plum, cassis, licorice and subtle clove. Give it steak!
13.9% | RRP $45
slowfoxwines.com