Pinot Noir Food Pairing: Our 7 Favorite Dishes to Pair

  • Last Updated - 3/3/23
pinot noir food pairing

Quick Answer: Mushroom & earthy foods, or lean meats with fruit based sauces. Pinot Noir has a wide range of flavor profiles from light to medium body and fruit to earth flavors, thus it goes great with a variety of meals.

Pinot Noir is probably one of the most versatile red wines for food and wine pairings.

In this blog post, we will discuss our 7 favorite dishes to pair with Pinot Noir and why they work. Whether you are looking for a simple meal or something more extravagant, we have got you covered!

Table of Contents

Why Pinot Noir Pairs Well With Food?

Pinot Noir is a lighter-bodied red wine with high acidity. The acidity in Pinot Noir helps to cut through fat and enhances the flavors of food. Also, Pinot Noir wine is not as tannic or heavy as some other red wines, which means that it won’t overpower lighter dishes. 

Another reason why Pinot Noir pairs well with food is its complex flavor profile. Pinot noir grape often has red fruit flavors with notes of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, which can work well with a variety of different cuisine.

And lastly Pinot Noir also has earthy and mushroom flavors that make it a great pairing for rich, earthy dishes.

What are the Best Pinot Noir Food Pairings?

1) Duck Breast with Cherry Sauce

duck breast

One of our favorite Pinot Noir food pairings. The lean meat pairs well with the light bodied Pinot Noir. While the rich, fatty duck skin pairs perfectly with the acidity of the wine. Plus, the cherry sauce is a great complement to the red fruit flavors in a California Pinot Noir.

Another good Pinot Noir food pairing is with Peking Duck. The sweet, crispy, and flavorful crispy duck pancakes match the flavors of the Pinot Noir perfectly. 

2) Any Mushroom Dish

mushroom dish pinot noir wines pinot noir taste

The earthy flavors in Pinot Noir are a perfect match for mushrooms. This can be anything from a simple creamy mushroom soup to a more complex dish like wild mushroom risotto. This combination accentuates both the earthy flavors of the wine and the dish.

Try a Burgundian-style Pinot Noir wine for this food and wine pairing.

3) Filet Mignon with a Red Wine Reduction Sauce

filet mignon goat cheese

This is a classic winie pairing for a reason! The lean filet mignon pairs perfectly with the light body and acidity of Pinot Noir. The red wine reduction sauce also helps to enhance the flavors of both the steak and the wine.

Try an Oregon Pinot Noir wine for this dish, which often has earthy flavors to compliment the steak and fruity red wine flavors that complement the sauce. 

4) Fried Rice

fried rice pinot noir food pairing

Fried rice is a great pairing for Pinot Noir because the acidity in the wine helps to cut through the rich and diverse flavors of the dish. Also the fruit flavors of the wine help compliment the flavors of the fried rice.

For this Pinot Noir food pairing, try one from New Zealand.

5) Pork Chops

roast pork chop and oregon pinot noir

Pinot Noir and Pork are always a great pairing! In fact there is even an annual Sonoma festival dedicated for this pairing! (Pigs & Pinot)

This wine is a perfect match for pork chops because it is a lighter wine and will not overpower the delicate leaner flavors of the meat. And in fact, the earthiness of the wine along with the velvety texture should enhance the juiciness of the pork.

Try a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

6) Any Salmon Dish

salmon dish

The strong flavors of a Pinot Noir can easily match the taste of salmon, which is a fatty fish that has plenty of buttery flavor. In contrast, while the acidity in the Pinot Noir cuts right through the richness of the Salmon and releases its wonderful flavor. Also the salmon’s richness enhances the dark fruit flavors of your Pinot Noir, resulting in a smooth and fruit forward wine.

Try a light-bodied Sonoma Coast or Willamette Valley Pinot Noir for this dish.

7) Turkey

Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Guide

Since Thanksgiving is around the corner, another great Pinot Noir food pairing is turkey. The light body of the wine will not overpower the delicate lean meat flavors of the roast turkey or roast chicken. And in fact, Pinot Noir can really help to enhance all the wonderful flavors of Thanksgiving dinner, especially the cranberry sauce!

For this Pinot Noir food pairings, try one from California (ex. Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Ste Rita Hills).

FAQs

What foods go well with Pinot Noir?

There are a variety of different dishes that go well with Pinot Noir. Some of our favorites include duck breast with cherry sauce, any mushroom dish, filet mignon with a red wine reduction sauce, fried rice, pork chops, salmon, and turkey.

What appetizer goes with Pinot Noir?

Some great appetizers to pair with Pinot Noir include charcuterie, cheese, olives, and roasted vegetables.

Can you pair a Pinot Noir with pasta?

Absolutely. In fact, Pinot Noir is a great pairing for many different types of pasta dishes. The acidity in the wine helps to cut through the richness of the sauce and creamy pasta dishes. Plus, the wine releases the wonderful flavors of the pasta. 

Does Pinot Noir pair well with Italian food?

Yes, Pinot Noir is a great choice for pairing with Italian food. Again the acidity in the wine helps to cut through the richness/creaminess of the sauces and will help accentuate the flavors of the dishes. 

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