Reach for a Red

• In general, reds are the safest bet for burger pairing. If you're dishing up a rare burger, serve it with a California red Zinfandel -- the peppery edge of this wine accents the red meat and seared onions. Italian Nero d'Avola, made with especially dark red grapes, lends its fruity high notes and smoky flavor to burgers, especially those with buffalo sauce or thick-cut tomatoes. For an all-purpose burger-friendly red, go with a French Beaujolais or Merlot, both of which balance fruity and earthy flavors with modestly spicy tones.

Dish It with White

• Try a glass of white California Chardonnay with your hamburger, especially if it's topped with plenty of crisp, springy veggies. If your burger sports plentiful cheese or mushroom toppings, accent it with a bright, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from France. For a summer picnic, pair rich char-grilled burgers with a soft, smooth Garnacha Blanc from Spain.

Serve with Sparkles

• Heavy, rich burgers with thick patties or tons of toppings call for a wine pairing to lighten up the occasion. In this case, go with a glass of Champagne. For particularly savory burgers, rose Champagne lends a sweet complement. Likewise, a sparkling Pinot Noir goes well with smoked bacon, caramelized onions and avocados on a burger. Like carbonated beer, the bubbly texture of sparkling wines helps cleanse the palette and wash down the sandwich.

Drink Outside the Box

• Although it's unorthodox, a light but well-structured French Rose wine makes for a mellow pairing with most basic burgers, complementing the tanginess of classic toppings like tomato, mustard and pickles. It also works well with mushroom-heavy burgers. Sake, Japanese rice wine, has a strong, spirited taste that caters to red meat -- try a glass with your next burger for an unexpectedly friendly pairing.