Sutter Merlot Burgers with Merlot sauce

I wanted to include at least one burger with Sutter Wine. For me the richness of the beef and the richness of the wine is a marriage made in heaven.

When you add a little onion,some butter and a few seasonings you have a simple, yet elegant burger.

Ingredients:

Burger part:

1/4 cup Sutter Home Merlot Wine

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck

1/2 pound ground rib eye steak

1/2 cup shallots, chopped

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon Montreal Steak Seasoning

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Sutter Home Merlot sauce:

12 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

2 shallots, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup Sutter Home Merlot Wine

1/2 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Rolls:

6 Onion Rye Rolls

Cheese:

6 slices Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese

Toppings:

6 slices red onion

6 slices tomato

1 cup arugula mixed with 1/2 cup watercress

Instructions:

In a bowl combine all burger ingredients, using a spoon and being carefull not to over mix.
Form into 6 patties.
Make the Sutter Home Merlot sauce next .
Use a flame proof sauce pan for this.
Heat the olive oil over med high heat.
Add the shallots and cook until translucent.
Add the garlic and cook a minute more.
Add the Sutter Home Merlot, butter and seasonings.
Bring to a simmer, and allow to reduce a little while you cook the burgers.
Cook the burgers on the med high grill until done to your liking.
Split the rolls lengthwise, and toast on the cut side.
The last 5 minutes of cooking, put one slice of cheese on each burger, close grill to melt cheese.
Top each burger with a slice of tomato, onion, arugula mixed with watercress, and a drizzle of that merlot sauce.