Big Macs & Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World

by Vanessa Price

Essential wine pairings for everything from popcorn to veggie burgers to General Tso’s Chicken, based on the wildly popular Grub Street column
 
Sancerre and Cheetos go together like milk and cookies. The science behind this unholy alliance is as elemental as acid, fat, salt, and minerals. Wine pro Vanessa Price explains how to create your own pairings while proving you don’t necessarily need fancy foods to unlock the joys of wine. Building upon the outsize success of her weekly column in Grub Street, Price offers delightfully bold wine and food pairings alongside hilarious tales from her own unlikely journey as a Kentucky girl making it in the Big Apple and in the wine business. Using language everyone can understand, she reveals why each dynamic duo is a match made in heaven, serving up memorable takeaways that will help you navigate any wine list or local bottle shop. Charmingly illustrated and bubbling with personality, Big Macs & Burgundy will open your mind to the entirely fun and entirely accessible wine pairings out there waiting to be discovered—and make you do a few spit-takes along the way.
 

Genres: Wine, Cookbooks, Food, Nonfiction, Cooking, Audiobook, Food and Drink

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2020

Reviews

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are anything like me, you know you enjoy wine but have no clue what wine should be paired with what dishes. Well worry no more, a book has arrived that answers all of your questions about wine and food pairings.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book when I opened it up. I was not prepared for the wealth of information within the pages that allow a novice like myself to discover what wines really should go with anything from Honey Nut Cheerios to BBQ to Lamb to Halloween candy. There has always been a big conversation in a church group that makes lunches for a shelter, what wine would go best with PB&J. We always thought perhaps a nice Rose or something like that, but I learned that in truth, you should enjoy a nice Lambrusco to go with that sandwich.

This book is such a delight to read and the index allows you to search by the type of wine or your favorite dish. There is even a 2-page Chart-Cuterie that lists various types of cheeses and even suggests the meat or bread and other snacks to serve with it along with the appropriate wine.

This book is sure to delight any foodie or wine lover and makes for interesting reading. Oh and that Halloween candy? There are three pages of wines depending on which is your favorite sweet. I am partial to Reese's and the proper wine is an Amontillado Sherry.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting this to be a fun, light read based on the title. However, there is a great detail of the nuances with flavor profile of fun foods and a wine to highlight them. Just because they are fast or snack foods doesn't mean they don't have their own flavor profiles because they aren't a high class gourmet dish. Each food has a sweet, salty, umami, bitter, etc. profile that your taste buds encounter.

Includes an interesting trail the author took to now being a sommelier. Drawings rather than photos included.

So next time you're looking to pair with your Popeye's chicken, Cheetos, mozzarella sticks, or the Big Mac, take a look at this.

[Vicki (MyArmchairAdventures) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love with this book. I read it cover-to-cover in one sitting and as a newbie wine enthusiast, I feel like I've got some solid knowledge under my belt. The beginning sections provide all the basics that you need to know about wine from a seasoned sommelier. Then, she goes on to explain the science of why some wines pair better with some foods. We had a blast trying just a few of the many unique pairings that Vanessa provides like Brut Champagne with McDonald's French fries, Port wine with Roquefort cheese, Sancerre with Cheetos and Cream Sherry with Oreos. I'll be recommending this book to most everyone!

[Kyra Leseberg (Roots & Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource on wine pairing and also basic science behind grape growing/wine making, from ground to palate. It's fun and the page design is attention grabbing.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the way she describes these pairings. I think I need to buy the physical copy and start working my way through 🤣
Audio

[Pattie Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My late husband enjoyed his wine. Me? I’m not a fan. Give me a tall glass of water, a steaming cup of coffee, or a dirty martini and I’ll be just fine. So when I was given a copy of Burgundy & Big Macs, Wine Pairings for the Real World, from Abrams, I felt at a complete loss. How could someone who didn’t enjoy wine be possibly interested in a book like this? As it turned out, I was!

This book by Vanessa Price is an absolute delight. She pairs a plethora of wines with every fast food, snack food, dessert, and candy imaginable, in each instance going into great explanatory detail. Her writing style is humorous and engaging, and her knowledge of wine, not to mention fast food, is stellar.

This woman can tell a story, and that she does, making every pairing seem like a personal adventure. For the uninformed, she demystifies wine, making those completely unfamiliar feel at ease. For those who know a thing or two, she speaks to you as though you are a personal friend, never minimizing anyone, or any wine. The images are charming, and the pairings clever.

With the holidays coming up, or even if you would like to treat yourself during this most difficult year, grab yourself a copy or two of this book. Trust me when I tell you, you will not regret it. Oenophile or not, this is great reading, and you will come away well informed, and no doubt thirsty.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Abrams Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Cristhian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siendo realistas, viviendo donde vivimos no creo que podamos lograr más de 10 maridajes recomendados pero definitivamente este libro cambió la forma en la que veo los vinos.

Mi misión en la vida es conseguir un Sancerre Blanc y comer Cheetos mientras lo bebemos.

5/5

[SKIM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books about wine so was pleasantly surprised to find one that puts a fresh and interesting spin on the genre of food and wine pairings. The book is written in an entertaining, witty and whimsical style but offers even the most devoted wine lovers plenty of intellectual wine heft to draw us in. The author Vanessa Price's accessible wit, warmth and impressive breadth of wine knowledge shine through on each of the suggested wine and food pairings. I've been having a blast working my way through each and every recommendation! Chablis and seaweed snacks... who knew?? Highly recommend and this is a great stocking stuffer idea for the holidays coming up!
14 people found this helpful

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew that a Red Burgundy was the wine to drink with your Big Mac or that White Priorat goes with Cheez-Its. What about a New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for your Impossible Burger and a Passito Di Pantelleria for that slice of Gingerbread? Wines you've never heard of? Try Dry Furmint from Hungry or Falanghina Beneventano from Campania (the Amalfi Coast, Italy). This super interesting book is for every wine lover. In depth explanations of why the wine works with that tasty morsel in your mouth including all the meats, fish, cheeses, caviar, sushi, avocado toast...I could go on and on. "Winesplaining" educates you on the proper way to hold your wine glass & the why; wine making methods; pairing 101 and what grows together goes together. A gem of a book.

[Jennifer Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only gripe with this book is that I wish that I would’ve been able to write it. ;) It’s so fun, joyful, and creative. The artwork is cool and interesting. And, most importantly of all, it fosters a drive to experiment with your food and wine—to play! I love this book, both as a reference (in case you need to know what to drink with your gummy worms) but also as a springboard for my own experiments.

[Sharon Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

entertaining and super helpful in finding well priced delicious wines. I purchased this book and reference it still. I like to spend $15 for a bottle of wine, and I'm blown away by how many amazing reds and whites I have found through this book helping me understand lesser known varietals. I literally use it every time I place an order at Total Wine.

[Alexis Priester · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect little intro to the wine world & crash course on pairing. Vanessa Price’s suggestions & description are unpretentious without trying too hard; her writing is fun/funny but still respects the reader’s interest in vino.

[Cat Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book.

Perhaps my only gripe, and the reason for which I deduct one star from my rating, is its focus on North American cuisine - often as narrow as a particular brand. The 'candy' section was especially guilty of this, and I often resorted to skipping entire pages because of the lack of familiarity and hopelessness of understanding something I'd never be able to find in any other country in the world.
That being said, it also expanded my knowledge of North American wine, which I'm appreciative of - and which I'll perhaps now not pass up so easily when the opportunity does arise.

I particularly enjoyed the autobiographical elements of the book, which is often missing from other books of this kind. Overall, an enjoyable and educational read, that I'm happy to say I have already (just a few days after finishing) referred back to. It's therefore perfect in its aim - imparting knowledge that one can use on one's own, whilst creating 'gold standards' to look back to for that perfect dinner party.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like wine and I like exploring a variety of wines and pairing them with interesting food choices. But I frequently find oenophiles pretentious. I will probably never describe a wine as something with hints of red currant, and blackberry with undertones of tobacco. But Vanessa Price? She had me at “Sancerre and Cheetos go together like milk and cookies. It’s a pairing so deceptively and fundamentally delicious, it has eluded almost every wine expert colleague I know—right up until they polish off a bag and a bottle for themselves.” I mean, even if you hate Cheetos you have to give significant credit to someone who completely eviscerates the snobbery associated with wine tasting/collecting. I found every bit of this book delightful!

[Clifton Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Learning about wine and food pairings can be very dry (unintended pun) but the author creatively delivers the material so it’s easy to read. I would give it a 5 if it wasn’t for long tangents about random stories that completely derailed the purpose of the book. Quick stories about Matt Damon eg was funny but the cross country drive rambles on and on. Overall really enjoyed it though :)

[Chelsea C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! The author's voice is distinctive, engaging and relatable. As a fairly knowledgeable wine lover, I learned a lot, especially about obscure but notable wines from around the world. Her stories are entertaining, and her pairing recommendations are easy to recreate, in part because of the specific wine recommendations that are easily searchable online. 10/10-- I would recommend this book to anyone looking to up their game in food and wine pairings.

[Christine Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, wonderful tour of pairing wines with a broad variety of flavors with a very intentional approach toward accessibility. Though Price attempts to remain keenly aware of her flyover state, she occasionally loses perspective of realistic pricing for the average non-wine geek. Still, well intentioned and worthwhile.

[AF122 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does a good job of teaching how to break down a wine and keep it fun with attainable pairings- things you’ve actually eaten (so you can relate to her flavour explanations) and will continue to eat (so you can put it into practice).

[tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 thought this was very helpful! it requires some basic wine/food knowledge so you’re not trying to match wildly specific wines/foods and can instead gain the overall lessons in pairings. sadly this is one book that isn’t as helpful as a library loan and i will prob buy it to reference!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wine pairing guide that finds an impossibly genius complement to Hot Spicy Cheetos. 🤌🏼💋

[Christina Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising & exceptional pairings, great illustrations, funny and informative essays.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad I know what to drink with flaming hot Cheetos now

[Danielle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I am a wine geek and this was such a fantastic look at easy pairings with everyday food. I listened to it with an audiobook and bought the hard copy before i finished

[Fresno Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute, but with some thought provoking elements

[Jenny Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a great resource to understand what goes with what any why. What’s nice is it’s not stodgy and we’ll thought out. Give it a whirl.. I never thought Cheetos and Sancerre would go together.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little pretentious for my liking, but overall enjoyed. Recommended to me by a cancer of course.

[Frank Marganelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

very clever book. perfect gift for the wine-o in your life. i bought for my husband for christmas and he loves it!

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas, led to a legendary wine tasting party!

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 - an absolutely excellent starter book on wine tasting that makes it accessible for all types of palates. Had to knock off a star because only 70% is useful - the latter 30% focuses on wine pairings in restaurants or brand suggestions.

[Nikita Malhotra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great balancing act between high and low brow-the author knows what she's talking about and thus gets to distill the best parts to the reader. Also, the pairings are pure fun. I've found it hard to share my enthusiasm for wine with some people because they can't get past the pretension that sometimes slips in, but now I have a resource to put in their hands so they can enjoy while learning more about wine.