Pinot Noir pairs best with dishes with a hint of earthiness such as Veal Marsala, Mushroom Pasta, Grilled Salmon, Shepherd’s Pie, Beef Wellington and Lamb Chops. Pinot Noir is a light, acidic and fruity red wine with a subtle earthy kiss that makes for an elegant and food-friendly red wine. It’s the perfect red wine to bring to a holiday or family dinner as Pinot Noir pairs great with ham, turkey, beef, salmon and chicken. Pinot Noir is also acidic, meaning it will pair well with anything containing tomatoes such as pasta, stew, or pizza.
The earthy flavours of Pinot Noir also make it excellent with bacon or dishes featuring bacon such as Pasta Carbonara, Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin, or Meat Lover’s Pizza. Aside from the earthy flavours of Pinot Noir complementing the smoky bacon flavours, the light and fruity flavours of this red wine also offer up a refreshing contrast against the saltiness of this cured meat. In a similar fashion, Pinot works well with the smoky and salty seasonings of Sausage and Sausage dishes.
Pinot Noir is also a difficult wine to grow. Often nicknamed the heartache grape, stellar vintages only seem to appear once every decade or less. In recent years, California has been producing some amazing Pinot Noir, along with Oregon, British Columbia and New Zealand. Poor examples of Pinot Noir also exist, where wine producers market cheap versions of the grape, which are filled with synthetic colouring and flavourings. If your bottle of Pinot Noir costs less than $35, it might not taste bad, but it will never taste amazing as good Pinot Noir is expensive to make.
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What is Burgundy Wine?
In France, Pinot Noir is referred to as Burgundy, and these are among the most collectable and expensive wines available. That’s the allure of Pinot Noir, however. When you find that perfect bottle, the heavens open wide open, and you’ll chase that fleeting dragon for the rest of your life. Pinot Noir is a wine that seduces you with its subtle complexity of fruit and funk. Wild strawberry and cherry tantalize your taste buds with their flirty sense of fun, while truffle, earth, mushroom, forest floor and spice elegantly wisp in and out of focus, teasing you and driving you mad.
I will have a separate blog on Burgundy pairings at a future date.
What is Pays d’Oc Pinot Noir?
Pays d’Oc has a hotter and drier climate than Burgundy, which makes for Pinot Noir that is less elegant and complex. While you can still find great Pinot Noir from Pays d’Oc, expect intense flavours of blackberry, coffee and green bell pepper and a much lower price tag.
I will do a separate blog for Pays d’Oc and Pinot Noir at a later date.
Best Food with Pinot Noir
VarietalFoodRating Pinot NoirSalmon Pinot NoirTacos Pinot NoirPork Tacos Pinot NoirBacon Pinot Noir – New WorldChicken Adobo Pinot NoirBeef Wellington Pinot NoirReblochon Cheese Pinot NoirCherry Pinot NoirChicken Pinot NoirRoasted Chicken Pinot NoirDuck Pinot NoirRoasted Duck Pinot NoirHam Pinot NoirTandoori Chicken Pinot NoirMushrooms Pinot NoirMorel Mushrooms Pinot NoirWild Mushrooms Pinot NoirPasta with Mushrooms Pinot NoirPork Pinot NoirPork Loin Pinot NoirQuail Pinot NoirMushroom Risotto Pinot NoirShark Pinot NoirSwedish Meatballs Pinot NoirSoy Sauce Pinot NoirSwordfish Pinot NoirGrilled Tuna Pinot NoirTurkey Pinot NoirTurkey Roasted Pinot NoirBaked Beans Pinot NoirRotisserie Chicken Pinot NoirTuna Steak Pinot NoirChinese Food Takeout/Buffet Pinot NoirPotato Leek Soup (with bacon) Pinot NoirPad See Ew Pinot NoirPhiladelphia Roll (Sushi) Pinot NoirCottage Pie Pinot NoirShepherd’s Pie Pinot NoirVeal Marsala Pinot NoirPork with Clams Pinot NoirToro Pinot NoirMatsutake/Shiitake Pinot NoirSalmon Grilled on a Cedar Plank Pinot NoirBeijing Roast Duck Pinot NoirPork Tenderloin Pinot NoirMurg Makhani Pinot NoirGrilled Trout Pinot NoirSplit Pea & Bacon Soup Pinot NoirBeef Pinot NoirBeef Rib Roast Pinot NoirRoast Beef Pinot NoirBrie Cheese Pinot NoirCamembert Cheese Pinot NoirCheddar Cheese Pinot Noir – OakedBeef Brisket Pinot NoirEdam Cheese Pinot NoirGruyère Cheese Pinot NoirPont-L’eveque Cheese Pinot NoirVacherin Cheese Pinot NoirCoq Au Vin Pinot NoirGarlic Chicken Pinot NoirCinnamon Pinot NoirCod wrapped in Bacon or Pancetta Pinot NoirCoriander Pinot NoirCumin Pinot NoirGrilled Duck Pinot NoirDuck with Mushrooms Pinot NoirDuck à l’Orange Pinot NoirPeking Duck Pinot NoirFennel Pinot NoirFish Pinot NoirCantal Cheese Pinot NoirFoie Gras Pinot NoirGame Pinot NoirGame Birds Pinot NoirGrilled Dishes Pinot NoirHot Dogs Pinot NoirHummus Pinot NoirKidneys Pinot NoirLamb Pinot NoirLiver Pinot NoirMacaroni and Cheese Pinot NoirMexican Cuisine Pinot NoirMustard Pinot NoirNutmeg Pinot NoirPheasant Pinot NoirPizza Pinot NoirPizza with Mushrooms Pinot NoirGrilled Pork Chops Pinot NoirRoasted Pork Chops Pinot NoirGrilled Pork Pinot NoirRabbit Pinot NoirRed Snapper Pinot NoirGrilled Red Snapper Pinot NoirSalade Niçoise Pinot NoirSpinach Salad Pinot NoirPasta Puttanesca Pinot NoirSquab Roasted Pinot NoirFilet Mignon Pinot NoirSteak Tartare Pinot NoirSweetbreads Pinot NoirTeriyaki Pinot NoirTomato Pinot NoirTruffles Pinot NoirVeal Pinot NoirVeal Chops Pinot NoirVeal Roasted Pinot NoirVenison Pinot NoirBluefish Pinot NoirSalmon Burgers Pinot NoirPulled Pork Pinot NoirTurkey Burgers Pinot NoirPerogies Pinot NoirPasta with Cheese Sauce Pinot NoirWood Pigeon Casserole Pinot NoirMozzarella Tomato Salad Pinot NoirPoutine Pinot NoirWhite Chocolate Pinot NoirQuiche Lorraine Pinot NoirMussels in a Tomato Broth Pinot NoirChicken Pot Pie Pinot NoirMaguro – Tuna – Sushi/Sashimi Pinot NoirGyuu no Tataki Sushi/Sashimi – raw beef Pinot NoirBasashi Sushi/Sashimi Pinot NoirShiitake Tempura Pinot NoirBamboo Shoots Tempura Pinot NoirLotus Roots Tempura Pinot NoirBeef Katsu – Without Sauce Pinot NoirMixed Yakitori in Sauce Pinot NoirToriniku Yakitori Pinot NoirToriniku Yakitori (chicken) in Sauce Pinot NoirTsukune Yakitori (minced Chicken) in Sauce Pinot NoirLamb with Tzatziki Sauce Pinot NoirYakisoba Pinot NoirSukiyaki Pinot NoirDumplings, Asian Pinot NoirGyuu-soboro (sweet ground beef) Pinot NoirSumashi-jiru (clear broth soup) Pinot NoirPotato Salad Pinot NoirLamb Chops in a Mushroom Sauce Pinot NoirTamales Pinot NoirPasta Carbonara Pinot NoirCroque Monsieur Pinot NoirBarbecue Chicken Pizza Pinot NoirRavioli Pinot NoirAgnolotti – Pasta Pinot NoirBo Kho – Vietnamese Beef Stew Pinot NoirFaggot Pinot NoirXao chua ngot – sweet and sour pork ribs Pinot NoirBeef Tenderloin Pinot NoirPetite Tender Pinot NoirLentil Soup Pinot NoirReuben Sandwich Pinot NoirHungarian Goulash Pinot NoirSalisbury Steak Pinot NoirPaella Valenciana Pinot NoirLemon Sauce EscargotEscargot Cooked with Chicken Stock Pinot NoirLemon Sauce EscargotEscargot à la Bordelaise Pinot NoirRau Muong Xao Mam Tom Pinot NoirBun Moc – Pork Soup – Vietnamese Pinot NoirCanh Dua Chua Thia La – Mustard Leaf Soup Pinot NoirPho Bo – Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup Pinot NoirTom Rang Thit Ba Chi – Prawns & Pork Belly Pinot NoirBo Bia – Sausage Spring Rolls Pinot NoirBo Tai Chanh – Vietnamese Beef Carpaccio Pinot NoirBun Cha Ha Noi – Pork Patties and Noodles Pinot NoirBún Nem Nướng – Pork Meatballs Pinot NoirBun Thit Nuong – Grilled Pork and Rice Noodles Pinot NoirCam Kho Qua – Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup Pinot NoirCom Tam Tau Hu Ky Suon Bi – Pork Chop with Broken Rice Pinot NoirDau Hu Nhoi Thit – Braised Stuffed Tofu Pinot NoirLuoi Bo Nau Ruou Vang – Beef tongue with wine Pinot NoirNem Chua – Fermented pork cakes Pinot NoirNem Nuong – Pork patties Pinot NoirSan Choy Bau Heo – Minced pork on leaves Pinot NoirOpor Ayam Pinot NoirTripe Pinot NoirPizza Rolls – Pizza Bites Pinot NoirChicken Peri Peri Pinot NoirCorned Beef and Cabbage Pinot NoirRoasted Rack of Lamb Pinot NoirKorma Pinot NoirAloo Poshto Pinot NoirBabi Guling Pinot NoirSashimi – Fatty Fish Pinot NoirDuck Rice Pinot NoirAlmonds Pinot NoirAnise Pinot NoirAsian Cuisine Pinot NoirBBQ Ribs Pinot NoirBeef Carpaccio Pinot NoirPrime Rib Roast Pinot NoirBeef Stew Pinot NoirStir Fried Asian Style with Orange Pinot NoirBeets Pinot NoirBerries Pinot NoirBiryani Pinot NoirBitter Food Pinot NoirCapers Pinot NoirCaraway Seeds Pinot NoirCashews Pinot NoirBeaufort Cheese Pinot NoirChaumes Cheese Pinot NoirColby Cheese Pinot NoirComté Cheese Pinot NoirCream Cheese Pinot NoirFeta Cheese Pinot NoirGloucester Cheese Pinot NoirGoat Cheese Pinot NoirJarlsberg Cheese Pinot NoirMozzarella Cheese Pinot NoirPort Salut Cheese Pinot NoirRaclette Cheese Pinot NoirSaint-Nectaire Cheese Pinot NoirSwiss Cheese Pinot NoirVermont Shepherd Cheese Pinot NoirCheese Puffs Pinot NoirCheese Straws Pinot NoirCheese Sauce Pinot NoirCheese Dishes Pinot NoirFried Chicken Pinot NoirChicken with Mushroom Sauce Pinot NoirPoached Chicken Pinot NoirCascabel Chilie Pinot NoirChinese Cuisine with Duck Pinot NoirChinese Cuisine with Meat Dishes Pinot NoirCloves Pinot NoirCornish Game Hen Pinot NoirDuck with Black Pepper Pinot NoirDuck Confit Pinot NoirDuck with Fruit Sauce Pinot NoirEel Pinot NoirEggplant Pinot NoirOmelette with Ham & Mushroom Pinot NoirEpazote Pinot NoirEscargot Pinot NoirFajitas Pinot NoirBlackened Fish Pinot NoirFish with Mushrooms Pinot NoirFlounder Pinot NoirCheese Fondue Pinot NoirGarlic Pinot NoirBeef with Ginger Pinot NoirHalibut Pinot NoirHalibut Grilled Pinot NoirHamburgers Pinot NoirHorseradish Pinot NoirHuitlacoche Pinot NoirSeafood Jambalaya Pinot NoirChicken Jambalaya Pinot NoirRoasted Lamb Pinot NoirMahi-Mahi Pinot NoirMeatloaf Pinot NoirMiddle Eastern Cuisine Pinot NoirMint Pinot NoirMonkfish Pinot NoirPorcini Mushrooms Pinot NoirPortobello Mushrooms Pinot NoirNuts Pinot NoirRosemary Pinot NoirSage Pinot NoirCobb Salad Pinot NoirSalami Pinot NoirBLT Sandwich Pinot NoirTurkey Sausage Pinot NoirChicken Sausage Pinot NoirSea Bass Pinot NoirFish Smoked Pinot NoirSalmon Smoked Pinot NoirBean and Bacon Pinot NoirChicken Soup Pinot NoirGumbo Pinot NoirMushroom Soup Pinot NoirSouthwestern Cuisine Pinot NoirSpinach Pinot NoirSquab Pinot NoirSteak with Black Pepper Pinot NoirSteak Cold Pinot NoirSushi Salmon Pinot NoirTabasco Pinot NoirTabbouleh Pinot NoirTarragon Pinot NoirThai Cuisine Pinot NoirThyme Pinot NoirTurkey Leftovers Pinot NoirVeal Braised Shanks or Shoulder Pinot NoirWalnuts Pinot NoirFettucine Alfredo Pinot NoirCabbage Rolls Pinot NoirStrawberries Pinot NoirGrouper Pinot NoirVegetarian Stir Fry Pinot NoirGrilled Cheese Sandwich Pinot NoirChicken Alfredo Pinot NoirTuna Casserole Pinot NoirJambalaya Pinot NoirPad Thai Pinot NoirCornbread Pinot NoirScalloped Potatoes Pinot NoirCarrot Tempura Pinot NoirVeggie Burgers Pinot NoirGarlic Bread Pinot NoirBaked Ziti Pinot NoirSpaghetti and Meatballs Pinot NoirChimichanga Pinot NoirManhattan Clam Chowder (Tomato Based) Pinot NoirPork Schnitzel Pinot NoirThai Beef Salad Pinot NoirGeneral Tso’s Chicken Pinot NoirAmerican Goulash Pinot NoirJamón Ibérico Pinot NoirChicken Burger with Grilled Pineapple & Goat Cheese Pinot NoirChicken Shawarma Pinot NoirChicken Fried Steak Pinot NoirPasta Primavera Pinot NoirLemon Chicken Pasta Pinot NoirFocaccia Pinot NoirBruschetta Pinot NoirTrout, Baked Pinot NoirLobster Pinot NoirOsso Buco Pinot NoirKielbasa Pinot NoirKit Kat Candy Bar Pinot NoirCorn Dog Pinot NoirSeafood Macaroni and Cheese
Oregon Pinot Noir and Grilled Salmon Pairing
Grilled Salmon and Pinot Noir is a holy grail of food, and wine pairing as both the Salmon and the wine make each other taste incredibly better. Salmon is a fatty fish and packs a lot of flavour that the black fruit flavours of an Oregon Pinot Noir can easily hold up to. Meanwhile, the bright acidity of the Pinot Noir shears right through the richness of the Salmon releasing the meat’s beautiful flavours as acidity also acts as a flavour enhancer. The richness of the Salmon also brings out the refreshing blackberry, black cherry, and plum flavours of your Pinot Noir, creating a velvety and silky experience on your tongue.
With Oregon Pinot Noir, you’ll also get hints of mushroom, mocha, black tea and truffle that are able to seduce you easier as they mesh with the flavours of your grilled Salmon. It’s an amazing pairing and should be tried by everyone who enjoys food and wine at least once.
What’s the Difference between California and Oregon Pinot Noir?
California Pinot will be more fruit-forward with candied notes of strawberry and red cherry. You may also find some oak which will give it hints of vanilla and chocolate in your Pinot Noir. In general, the wine is more robust and richer than Oregon Pinot Noir and should be drunk within 3 to 5 years. For the best Pinot Noir from California, seek wines from cooler climates such as Sonoma, Carneros and the Russian River Valley. Often these bottles will be expensive as only small batches are made.
Oregon Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley mirrors that of Burgundy in that you’ll find more earthiness and mushroom flavours. Oregon Pinot Noir is less candied than California Pinot Noir, lower in alcohol and have more black fruit than red fruit flavours. Thus, expect hints of black cherry, plum or blackberry. Unlike Burgundy, which can be aged for decades, Oregon Pinot Noir should be drunk young.
In terms of popularity California is a bigger crowd pleaser than Oregon when it comes to Pinot Noir. Fruity and vibrant, the best selling Pinot Noir from California are mass produced and often uses oak to mask the earthier flavours of Pinot Noir with vanilla and chocolate. There is nothing wrong with this style and it has its place.
Pork Tacos & Pinot Noir Pairing
Pinot Noir is incredibly food-friendly due to its high acidity, low tannin and light and fruity flavours. As Pork Tacos can contain a wide variety of ingredients, the food-friendly nature of Pinot Noir makes it a star with this dish. The forest floor flavours of Pinot Noir are a delight with the earthiness of any refried beans or grilled vegetables in your Pork Tacos. Meanwhile, the high acidity of Pinot Noir ensures it doesn’t clash with the acidic salsa in your Pork Tacos.
The real star of the show is the marinated Pork in your Tacos, which will have a sweet and smoky flavour. The perceived sweetness of Pinot Noir with its cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavours get along charmingly well with the sweetness of the marinated pork. Meanwhile, the smoke, spice, and truffle flavours complement the savoury and spiciness of your Pork.
Light in body, Pinot Noir won’t overwhelm the delicious Pork flavours. Pinot Noir also proves to be exceptional with similar fare that includes a wide variety of ingredients such as Chicken Burritos, Fish Tacos, Lamb Gyros or Shawarma.
Mushroom Pasta & Pinot Noir Paring
The mushroom, truffle and forest floor flavours of Pinot Noir love anything mushroom-based, so it’s no surprise that Pinot Noir is delicious with Mushroom Pasta. If your Mushroom Pasta is in a creamy sauce, the high acidity of Pinot Noir cuts right through the richness of the cream, butter and parmesan cheese, allowing the earthy flavours of the Mushrooms to shine brightly. Creamy sauces clog our taste buds up, muting flavours after several bites, however, the acidity found in Pinot Noir ensures that this will not be an issue.
If your Mushroom Pasta is in a tomato based sauce, Pinot Noir’s high acidity can also handle this dish. Tomato and tannin do not mix well, as the tomatoes’ acidity makes the tannin taste metallic and flat. With Pinot Noir being low in tannin, and high acidity, you’ll find that it is a lovely pair with any pasta tossed in a red sauce.
Shepherd’s Pie and Pinot Noir Pairing
Shepherd’s Pie is a lamb-based dish where your leftover lamb is baked into a savoury pie containing mashed potatoes, root vegetables, peas, corn, and gravy. You may also find it called Cottage Pie, however, in this instance, beef or pork is used instead of lamb. And of course, there is Chicken Pot Pie. No matter what style of savoury pie you’re serving up, the food-friendly vibrancy of Pinot Noir will make it a hit wine pairing with Shepherd’s Pie.
With Shepherd’s Pie, many people find the gamy lamb flavours unappealing. The beauty of Pinot Noir is that its light but fruity flavours of cherry, plum, strawberry, and raspberry help mask those gamy flavours of the lamb. The truffle and mushroom flavours also complement the savoury flavours of the lamb along with any mushrooms or earthy root vegetables in your meat pie.
The bright acidity of Pinot Noir also cuts through the heavy carbohydrates and fats found in the starches and gravy baked into your pie. This is important as starch and fat can easily overwhelm our taste buds. This clogging, causes all the flavours of Shepherd’s pie to stall out after a few bites. With one sip of Pinot Noir, your taste buds are kicked back into first gear as the acidity of the wine whisks all the fats and carbohydrates away.
Croque Monsieur & Pinot Noir
Croque Monsieur is a high-end grilled cheese sandwich that hails from France. Aside from cheese, Croque Monsieur also includes slices of ham and a smear of zesty Dijon mustard. Croque Monsieur will delight and tease every sense with its sumptuous flavours and buttery but crisp crust.
Pinot Noir, with its cherry, raspberry and strawberry notes won’t overpower this delicious sandwich. Instead, the lively acidity of Pinot Noir cuts through the cheese and buttery bread crust, enhancing the flavours of the ham, cheese and Dijon mustard. Meanwhile, the smoky and earthy notes of Pinot Noir complement sweet but savoury flavours of the ham.
Through this article, we hope to help you understand Best food with pinot noir
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