Burgers have lots of possible wine pairings. That is if you’re not drinking beer. But when the chef is getting fancy with the burger preparation then you want to be more discriminating in the wine you choose.
The sweet berry fruitiness of Zinfandel works well with burgers because it compliments sauces like ketchup or barbeque and goes well with a lot of cheeses. The bright smooth fruit of this wine contrasts nicely with the smoky meat flavors.
The Wine: Zinfandel, Plungerhead Lodi California Old Vine
The Food: Kobe (black wagyu) & wild boar burger with...
The Place: Nicole’s 10, Creative Comfort Food, Randolph, NJ
Started off with two cocktails from the new Nicole’s 10 Fall Signature Cocktails Menu. What you see here is a Fall Classic, with Slow & Rye, rock and rye, with a honey crisp apple slump and lemon. In the background the Eminence Front, Bar Hill Gin, apple cider, orange bitters, fresh ginger and lemon. Both fabulous. Bartenders Kyle, who created the drinks, and maker and shaker, Lori deliver with great skill and personality.
But were here for wine and food pairing, so here you go.
The Drunken 10n Burger, which is grilled, ground 'kobe' (black wagyu) & wild boar with cranberried old vine zinfandel, herbs d' provence, topped with creamy havarti, smoked maple-pepper bacon & summer peach BBQ bourbon gloss served on a pretzel roll. And served with cheesey duck fat tatter tots. Oh Boy.
The zinfandel was just right, had the body and richness to back this very flavorful burger and the fruit completed the flavors nicely.
The wine maker says this wine has aromas that “are reminiscent of black cherry, blackberry compote, aged balsamic reduction, earthy mushroom, musky leather, and smoky bacon. On your palate, you will see flavors of sweet blackberries, black pepper, cherry hard candy, plum preserves, coriander, roasted French Oak, and hints of leather, cinnamon bark, and mint. On the finish, there are notes of candied toasted pecan, cherries jubilee, smoked sea salt, and dried blueberries.” All that. And a great value wine.
Nicole’s Ten is a great place to explore wine pairings from their list of 30 wines by the glass. The printed menu has suggestions for pairings.
We also enjoyed some very awesome oysters, remarkably fresh, melt in your mouth tender.
Then a crazy take on an egg roll called “Slow Your Egg Roll” which is a crisp eggroll shell filled with slow St. Bernardus braised pork belly & Asian celery-applewood slaw with a soy sweet chili rice vinegar dipping sauce. Enjoyed with a flight of draft beers from Nicole’s 10 rotating taps.
Then the Luna Ahi Tuna which is seared sushi grade tuna in a smoked cinnamon, ancho chile, & cumin rub and drizzled in a spiced raspberry moonshine reduction served with a boursin hash of red bliss potatos, prosciutto, white bean, lentils.
And a side of asparagus and the Caesar Cardini salad.
Last but not least was an amazing house made rice pudding. We went home happy.
246 State Route 10 West, Randolph NJ 973.442.9311
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
Comments