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Sorry, no mile-high pile of delicious but fatty foods on the burgers at our house. Local pasture raised beef deserves simple condiments.

Burger Night
The internet seems to be filled with amazing photos of burgers: 7 layers of hamburger, cheese, bacon, chili, more cheese, more bacon…. They look amazing, but would you really want to eat one? I know I’d find myself in a food coma afterward.  At our house, burgers are a simple and quick weeknight meal. We treat ourselves to local pasture-raised hamburger from our friends at Sunshine Harvest Farm. I like to let the flavor of the meat be the centerpiece of the burger. Lettuce, tomato and the occasional slice of avocado are all I need. Finally we are a house divided. Julie comes from a ketchup family, and am a mustard fan all the way. What’s your preference when it comes to burgers? Do you keep it simple or do you dress ’em up?

I’m a big fan of Merlot with burgers. That friendly, plush fruit and moderate tannins just seems to partner perfectly with grilled hamburger.

Flora Springs
Flora Springs winery has a fascinating history. The property was originally established as a winery back in 1885 with the Rennie Brothers purchase of land and building of a stone wine cellar. Their timing was unfortunate as they were to be hit with phylloxera, then prohibition, then a depression. The property became one of the “Ghost Wineries” of California. Flora Springs, as we know it today, came into existence in 1977 with the purchase of land including vineyards. Since then, some of the original ghost buildings have been restored and put back to use. Flora Springs wines are classics from Napa Valley, having won many awards, even being served at a state dinner at the White House in 1990.

Disclosure: The wine was provided as a sample from the winery. No other compensation was involved, all opinions expressed are mine.

Flora Springs Merlot “Napa Valley Family Estate” 2016 (sample $35 SRP or online here)
Eye: Clear, deep ruby with a garnet edge. Deeply stained legs.
Nose: Clean, medium+ intensity. Black fruit: very ripe blackberry with cocoa, and a touch of tobacco.
Mouth: Dry, medium+ flavor intensity. Ripe and rich deep black fruit, ripe blackberries, blackberry pie and cocoa. Medium acidity, medium tannins, fine grained. Full body and medium+ alcohol. Nice medium+ finish of blackberries and cocoa.

A very nice internationally styled Merlot, ripe with abundant fruit. Delicious with the Wednesday night hamburgers, oven fries and salad.