Burrata cheese has become immensely popular in recent years. The creamy, rich texture of this fresh Italian cheese makes it an ideal partner for many wines. But with so many wine options, which bottles pair best with burrata? This article explores the flavors of burrata and provides wine pairing recommendations to enjoy with this decadent cheese.
What is Burrata Cheese?
Before diving into wine pairings, let’s first understand what exactly burrata cheese is. Burrata originated in the Apulia region of Italy. It is a fresh cheese made from mozzarella and cream.
The process of making burrata begins with forming a hollow pouch from mozzarella. This pouch is then filled with stracciatella, a soft cheese mixture containing mozzarella shreds and cream. The filled pouch is then twisted and tied off to create a round burrata cheese.
When sliced open, a burrata reveals a creamy, soft interior surrounded by a delicate mozzarella shell. The texture is often described as molten or ooey-gooey. The flavor profile of burrata is mild, creamy and buttery with subtle salty and tangy notes.
Due to its rich texture and soft flavor, burrata works wonderfully with wines that can cleanse the palate and cut through the cheese’s creaminess. When pairing wine with burrata, be sure to consider the cheese’s lush fullness and avoid wines that are overly oaky or tannic.
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White Wine and Burrata
White wines often make excellent partners for burrata. The acidity and crispness of many white wines can balance out the rich creaminess of this cheese. Here are some recommended white wine varieties to try with burrata:
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular pairings with burrata. The vibrant acidity and fresh flavors of Sauvignon Blanc are perfectly suited to cut through the cheese’s richness.
Sauvignon Blanc flavors like grapefruit, lemon, and grassy or herbal notes complement burrata’s creamy texture. The wines often have medium body and crispness making them an easy match for burrata.
Some great Sauvignon Blanc regions to try are New Zealand, Loire Valley, California, and South Africa.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a light and dry white wine that works nicely with burrata. Its lean profile with crisp acidity and citrus flavors cleanses the palate from the cheese’s indulgence.
Pinot Grigio from northern Italy offers delicate stone fruit flavors that pair nicely with creamy burrata. Other new world regions producing flavorful Pinot Grigio include California, Oregon and Australia.
Vermentino
Vermentino is a light-bodied white wine prominent in Sardinia and Corsica. It has flavors of citrus, peach, pear, and herbs. The crisp and mineral qualities of Vermentino refresh the palate when eating creamy burrata.
Grüner Veltliner
Grüner Veltliner is an Austrian wine gaining worldwide acclaim. Its medium body and crisp acidity provides balance alongside burrata’s richness. Flavors of white pepper, grapefruit and herbs make this dry wine an interesting pairing.
Albariño
The Albariño grape thrives in Spain’s Rías Baixas region and results in an aromatic, crisp white wine. Notes of citrus, stone fruit, and ocean breeze pair delightfully with creamy burrata. This coastal Spanish wine refreshes the palate perfectly.
Dry Riesling
Dry Riesling often expresses racy acidity and minerality that cuts through burrata’s indulgence. Riesling’s flavors like lime, peach, and honeyed notes complement the cheese. Try a dry Riesling from Germany, New York, or Washington state.
Sparkling Wines for Burrata
The effervescence and palate-cleansing bubbles of sparkling wines work magnificently with rich burrata cheese. Here are some bubbles worth trying:
Champagne
True Champagne from France is always a sublime pairing. Champagne’s fine bubbles and crisp acidity effortlessly cleanse the palate between bites of decadent burrata. Fresh dough and citrus notes in Champagne balance beautifully with creamy cheese.
Prosecco
The easy-drinking and fruity nature of Prosecco is a crowd-pleasing match for burrata. Prosecco brings lighter bubbles and flavors of white peach, pear, and citrus. The Italian sparkler cleanses the palate perfectly after the velvety cheese.
Cava
Cava comes from Spain and offers exceptional value. Made in the same method as Champagne, Cava delivers smaller bubbles and bracing acidity to balance rich cheeses like burrata. Flavors of apple, brioche, and lemon zest make it a refreshing choice.
Moscato d’Asti
For a sweet pairing, the gentle bubbles and peach, honey, and floral notes of Moscato d’Asti complement burrata nicely. The low alcohol and sweetness contrasts the cheese’s rich factors.
Rosé and Burrata
Dry rosé wines can also pair beautifully with creamy burrata cheese. Rosés made from grapes like Grenache, Syrah, and Sangiovese offer light tannins, crisp acidity, and flavors of strawberry, peach, citrus that work well with this cheese.
Dry rosés from Provence, Southern Italy, California, and South America are ideal choices to try with luscious burrata cheese. The rosés refreshingly contrast and cut through the cheese’s indulgence.
Red Wines for Burrata
While white wines and rosés are often easier pairings with burrata, certain red wines can also complement this cheese beautifully. Here are some red wines to try with burrata:
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir makes a wonderful burrata pairing when served slightly chilled. The lighter body and silky tannins of Pinot Noir work nicely with creamy cheeses. Cool climate regions like Burgundy, Oregon, and New Zealand offer elegant Pinot Noirs with earthiness, red fruit, and spice notes that enhance burrata.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais produces easy drinking reds from the Gamay grape. The fruit-forward and low tannin nature of these wines matches nicely with rich burrata. Young Beaujolais from areas like Fleurie, Brouilly, and Morgon offer notes of cherry, strawberry, and violet that balance the cheese.
Barbera
The Italian red Barbera has naturally high acidity that refreshes the palate when eating indulgent burrata. Barbera also exhibits low tannins and flavors of ripe cherry, plum, and spice. Regions like Piedmont and Lombardy make food-friendly Barberas ideal for cheese.
Valpolicella
From Italy’s Veneto region, Valpolicella blends grape varieties like Corvina and Rondinella. The lively acidity and red fruit of Valpolicella can cut through burrata’s richness. Select young and fruity Valpolicella wines rather than heavily oaked versions.
Grenache
The red Grenache grape often produces easy drinking wines with sweet spice and red fruit notes. Grenache dominant wines from Spain, Southern France, and California pair nicely with creamy burrata. The wines soft tannins and flavors complement the cheese.
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Wine Pairing Tips with Burrata
When buying wine for burrata, keep these general tips in mind:
- Focus on wines with crisp acidity to cut through the cheese’s creaminess.
- Select wines with lower tannins and alcohol to complement the rich cheese.
- Look for fruity and mineral-driven wines rather than heavily oaked options.
- Chill reds like Pinot Noir and Gamay slightly to 16-18°C to help their pairing.
- Bubbles and rosé wines make refreshing pairings for burrata’s lushness.
- Avoid overpowering wines like Malbec, Cabernet, or heavy Chardonnays.
- Counterbalance burrata’s saltiness with wines that have some sweetness.
- Match the weight of the wine to the richness of the burrata style.
Food Pairings with Burrata and Wine
In addition to wine, consider other components on your table when serving burrata. Here are some suggestions:
Breads and Crackers
Fresh bread or crackers complement burrata nicely. Options like focaccia, baguette, flatbread, and pita pair well with the cheese and wine.
Tomatoes
Fresh tomato salad or sliced heirloom tomatoes dipped in olive oil and balsamic taste fantastic with burrata. The acidity and sweetness of ripe tomatoes balance the cheese.
Basil
Fresh basil pesto, leaves, or Caprese salad utilizing basil, tomatoes, and balsamic is a classic burrata pairing.
Olives and Cured Meats
Kalmata olives, prosciutto, salami, and other antipasto platter items work nicely with wines and burrata.
Balsamic Glaze
Aged balsamic vinegar syrup or glaze helps accentuate burrata flavors.
Truffle Oil or Salt
Luxurious truffle oil or salt can elevate burrata and wines to another level.
Arugula Salad
Peppery greens like arugula pair well with the rich cheese. Lemon dressing adds nice acidity.
Grilled Vegetables
Grilled veggies like asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant make great burrata accompaniments.
With its luscious texture and mild flavor, burrata cheese pairs beautifully with an array of wines. Crisp and mineral-driven white wines, sparkling wines, dry rosés, and light reds are sure to complement fresh burrata cheese. Sip and savor the liquid and curd duo for a heavenly match
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