I don’t know about you, but I’m a cheese addict. My hubby likes to tease me about my collection of “snack” cheeses taking up the entire meat drawer in our fridge. But what else pairs better with wine?
This burrata salad is one of my favorite ways to enjoy cheese in a somewhat healthier way. I love it as a light dinner or split as an appetizer. Read on for my wine pairing tips and the recipe.
But First, What Is Burrata?
What’s better than a ball of cheese? A ball of cheese that’s injected with more cheese, of course! A few years ago I discovered burrata and instantly fell in love.
This ooey gooey concoction hails from Southern Italy (a town called Apulia) and is made with cow’s milk. The outside is a solid mozzarella ball and it’s filled with a mixture of cream and small cheese curds (called stracciatella).
It’s great with crusty Italian bread, on pizza, and as a decadent pasta topping. Or just drizzle some olive oil on top, grab a fork, and go for it!
Wine Pairings with Burrata Salad
Avoid heavy, tannic reds. These wines will absorb all the fat in a young cheese and leave a chalky feeling in your mouth.
Look for lighter, fresh wines with some acidity and juiciness. Think crisp whites, sparkling wines, and fruity reds.
White Pick: Pinot Grigio
I know, I know, it’s kind of the “basic b” of Italian whites. But it can also be super delicious if you know the right regions. Ones from Alto Adige in Northern Italy have great acidity and notes of lime, lemon, green apple, and pear. Or you could go for the fuller-bodied Friuli-Venezia Giulia with juicy peach and tropical fruit flavors.
Sparkling Pick: Prosecco
Not just a mimosa mixer, this light fizzy beverage is made from the Glera grape and has aromas of apple, melon, and honeysuckle. Higher quality versions can be found from Conegliano-Valdobbiadene (bonus if you see Cartizze or Rive on the label, which means it’s from the best vineyard sites). I prefer brut, but if you want a little sweetness, try extra dry.
Red Pick: Beaujolais
This light-bodied French red wine is made from the Gamay grape. Flavors include raspberry, cherry, banana, and sometimes even bubblegum (as in Bazooka). The crus of Fleurie and Brouilly produce fruity, perfumed styles that are a great match with burrata. But if you can’t find those, look for Beaujolais Villages or Beaujolais Supérieur.
Adventurous Pick: Greco
Going with the idea that what grows together goes together, Greco is a white varietal from Southern Italy’s Campania region. This crisp, dry wine typically has flavors of green apple, stone fruit, and passion fruit. Look for the OG version — Greco di Tufo.
BTW, if you haven’t yet, make sure to grab my free Wine Tasting Planner. It has 20+ wine night theme ideas, including the exact ones I’ve used for my wine tastings. Plus, a timeline, food pairings, games, free printables, worksheets, and more. Get your copy here.
And check out more wine and cheese pairings like Cambozola wine pairings and what wine to pair with Brie.
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Burrata Summer Salad
Ingredients
- 2 ripe tomatoes
- 1 English cucumber
- 1 avocado
- 1 bunch basil, chopped
- 2 medium-sized burrata balls
- olive oil and balsamic vinegar for drizzling
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes into half moons and arrange them in a circle around the edges and middle of two plates.
- Slice the cucumber and avocado into half moons and place in a circle on top of the outer ring of tomatoes, alternating between the two.
- Place a burrata ball in the center of each plate.
- Sprinkle the chopped basil on top of the vegetables surrounding the burrata.
- Drizzle with olive and balsamic vinegar.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Did you go with white, sparkling, red, or adventurous? What did you like about the pairing?
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