Mouthwatering Pinot Noir Food Pairing Ideas

The delectable Pinot Noir red wine has a versatile character and comes in a range of styles - from bright, bold to light and elegant.

The Pinot wine is typically packed with juicy red fruit flavors, spice and earthy hints, delicate texture, firm but silky tannins, and pleasant acidity. 

This well-balanced wine combines well with a variety of dishes and cuisines.   

Let’s look at some of the best Pinot Noir food pairing ideas based on the various wine styles (and some wine recommendations as well!)

Best Pinot Noir Food Pairings

Here are some great Pinot Noir food pairings based on the wine style:

1. Light Pinot Noir Food Pairing Ideas

Light-bodied Pinot Noirs go well with lighter dishes like:

• Seafood: Lobster, shrimp, crab cakes, and even salmon are delicate and flavorful without overpowering the red wine.

• Vegetables: A light-bodied Pinot Noir can balance veggie dishes like butternut squash and mushroom risotto, or spring vegetables like Brussels sprouts and asparagus.

• Poultry and rabbit: Serve light chicken dishes like roast chicken, elegant duck pate, or grilled rabbit meat with mushroom sauce to enhance the wine’s fruity flavour notes.

• Mild cheese: A cheese board with creamy feta or goat cheese can prove to be a great Pinot wine pairing.

Light-Bodied Pinot Noir Wine Suggestions:

• 2017 Domaine Morey-Coffinet Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chaumes Rouge: $45
• 2016 Paul Hobbs Goldrock Estate Pinot Noir: $196

2. Full-Bodied Pinot Noir Food Pairing Ideas

A full-bodied Pinot Noir wine with chewy tannins and high alcohol content (13-13.5%) will pair well with more savory dishes:

• Lamb: Pair a glass of bold Pinot with grilled lamb chops. Rich lamb dishes are also a great accompaniment to heavier wines like Malbec, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and some Merlot wine styles.

• Pork: Pork skewers, smoked pork, or juicy pork steaks will complement the wine’s acidity, spicy notes, and dryness.

• Beef: The fattiness of roast beef tenderloin or a gourmet beef steak will balance out the bolder Pinot Noir’s flavour notes.

• Cheese: Serve your Pinot along with fatty cheeses like Brie, Camembert, aged Gorgonzola, or even blue cheese.

• Mushrooms or truffles: Mushroom risotto, wild mushrooms, mushroom sauce or truffle dishes are an exquisite wine pairing that will enhance Pinot Noir’s earthy flavor.

Full-Bodied Pinot Noir Wine Suggestions:

• 2016 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru: $24,209
• 2001 Domaine Leroy Clos de la Roche Grand Cru: $11,829

3. Bright, Fruity Pinot Noir Food Pairing Ideas

A youthful fruit-forward Pinot Noir (like a Russian River Valley Pinot) is a great accompaniment to:

• Poultry: A sweet and crispy dish like Peking duck, roast chicken in sweet soy sauce are great dishes for a brighter Pinot.

• Pulled pork: Try juicy pulled pork dishes with cranberry or sweet and sour sauce.  

• Seared fish: Rich seared tuna or salmon meats can be served with salads or as appetizers - a great addition to a fruity red wine.

• Desserts: Serve a glass of Pinot with chocolate-covered strawberries or other chocolate-based desserts.

Wine Suggestions for Bright, Fruity Pinot Noir:

• 2007 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Freestone Pinot Noir: $191
• 2013 Domaine Carneros The Famous Gate Pinot Noir: $77

4. Subtle, Elegant Pinot Noir Food Pairing Ideas

A more subtle dry red like the Oregon Pinot Noir with silky mouthfeel and elegant flavor profile pairs well with:

• Game meat: Pair this wine with rich game meats like rabbit, duck, turkey, quail, and geese.

• Mushroom dishes: This includes mushroom risotto, mushroom sauce steaks, and appetizers like grilled wild mushrooms.

• Lamb: A lamb souvlaki or roast lamb leg is an excellent option for a refined Pinot Noir.

• Grilled fish: A grilled salmon dish is a great Pinot Noir pair. You can also try baked tuna steaks with some garlic and olive oil.

• Roast chicken: You can try a more traditional roast chicken dish with a side of baked potatoes.

Wine Suggestions:

• 2001 Henri Jayer Echezeaux Grand Cru: $6,867
• 2015 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru: $136,983

5. Aged Pinot Noir Food Pairing Ideas

Beautifully aged Pinot Noir wines (especially mature Burgundies) reveal additional nuances and underlayers of complex flavor notes. These wines go well with:

• Feathered game meats: Feathered game meat barbecue or stews can enhance the aged Pinot Noir’s complexity.

• Dishes with truffles: Dishes with truffle sauce add incredible depth to a well-aged Burgundy Pinot Noir.

• Soft cheese: Enjoy a glass of aged Pinot with a rich mild cheese board.

Wine Suggestions:

• 1993 Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru: $13,890
• 1978 Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru: $17,160

Pair Your Favorite Pinot Noir with the Best Mouthwatering Dishes

Whether you like fresh and fruity Pinot or a more mature and elegant one, there are tons of delicious foods you can pair your wine with.

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