19 Delicious Foods That Go With Pinot Noir Wine
Pairing the right foods with your wine can elevate your dining experience to a whole new level. Pinot Noir, with its delicate and complex flavors, is a versatile wine that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes.
From cheese to meat, and even desserts, choosing the perfect foods that go with Pinot Noir can enhance both the wine and the meal. In this article, we’ll explore some delicious options that complement this popular red wine, making your next meal with Pinot Noir truly unforgettable.
Foods That Go With Pinot Noir
1. Roast Chicken
Roast chicken is a classic pairing with Pinot Noir. The subtle flavors of the chicken allow the delicate notes of the wine to shine, creating a balanced and harmonious combination. The mild, savory taste of roasted chicken complements the wine’s fruitiness without overwhelming it, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a lighter meal.
Additionally, the herbs and spices often used in roasting chicken, such as thyme, rosemary, and garlic, enhance the earthy undertones in Pinot Noir. This pairing works particularly well with a medium-bodied Pinot Noir, bringing out the best in both the dish and the wine. Whether you’re enjoying a simple weeknight dinner or a festive meal, roast chicken with Pinot Noir is always a delightful choice.
2. Herb-Crusted Lamb
Herb-crusted lamb’s earthy and robust flavors make it an excellent match for Pinot Noir. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the lamb, while its subtle tannins complement the meat’s savory taste. Whether you prefer roasted lamb, lamb chops, or a hearty lamb stew, Pinot Noir can elevate the dish, enhancing its natural flavors.
Herb-crusted lamb dishes, seasoned with rosemary, thyme, and garlic, pair particularly well with Pinot Noir. The herbs bring out the wine’s earthy and spicy notes, creating a well-rounded and flavorful experience. This pairing is ideal for a cozy dinner or a celebratory meal, offering a perfect balance of flavors that delight the palate.
3. Duck Breast with Berry Sauce
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Duck breast is a rich, fatty meat that pairs exceptionally well with Pinot Noir. The high fat content of duck balances the wine’s acidity, creating a smooth and enjoyable taste experience. The gamey flavor of duck also complements the complex, fruity notes of Pinot Noir, making this a sophisticated and satisfying pairing.
In particular, dishes like duck breast with a cherry or berry sauce can highlight the red fruit flavors in Pinot Noir, enhancing the wine’s natural sweetness. The earthy undertones in the wine also match beautifully with the savory richness of the duck. This combination is perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress your guests with a gourmet meal.
4. Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Grilled pork tenderloin is an excellent pairing for Pinot Noir. The tender and juicy texture of the pork, combined with its mild flavor, allows the wine’s complex notes to shine through. The slight smokiness from grilling adds an extra layer of depth that complements the wine’s subtle spice and earthy undertones.
Marinating the pork tenderloin with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and garlic can enhance the pairing even further. These herbs bring out the herbal and floral notes in Pinot Noir, creating a balanced and harmonious flavor profile. This pairing works well for both casual barbecues and more formal dinners, offering a versatile and delicious option for enjoying Pinot Noir.
5. Mushroom Dishes
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Mushrooms are an excellent vegetarian pairing for Pinot Noir due to their earthy and umami flavors. Whether sautéed, roasted, or incorporated into a dish like a mushroom risotto, mushrooms can enhance the subtle earthy notes found in Pinot Noir. The wine’s acidity balances the richness of the mushrooms, creating a harmonious taste experience.
In addition to their flavor, mushrooms have a meaty texture that can stand up to the complexity of Pinot Noir. This makes them an ideal substitute for meat in vegetarian dishes. For example, a portobello mushroom burger or a creamy mushroom pasta can pair wonderfully with a glass of Pinot Noir, highlighting the wine’s fruit and spice notes.
6. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are a delightful and healthy pairing for Pinot Noir. The caramelization that occurs during roasting brings out the natural sweetness in vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes, which complements the fruity notes of the wine. The slight smokiness from the roasting process also adds depth to the pairing, enhancing the wine’s complexity.
Moreover, roasted vegetables often include a variety of herbs and spices that can mirror the flavor profile of Pinot Noir. For instance, roasting vegetables with thyme, rosemary, or garlic can bring out the wine’s earthy and herbal notes. This pairing is not only delicious but also versatile, suitable for both casual meals and more elegant dining occasions.
7. Lentil Stew
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Lentil stew is a hearty and robust vegetarian dish that pairs wonderfully with Pinot Noir. The rich, earthy flavors of lentils complement the wine’s complexity, while the stew’s savory elements enhance the fruity and spicy notes of the Pinot Noir. The protein and fiber in lentils also make the dish filling and satisfying, balancing the wine’s acidity and tannins.
Additionally, lentil stew often includes a variety of vegetables and seasonings, such as tomatoes, carrots, onions, and bay leaves, which can further enhance the pairing. The combination of these ingredients with Pinot Noir creates a well-rounded and flavorful dining experience. Whether enjoyed on a cold winter night or as a comforting meal, lentil stew with Pinot Noir is a perfect match.
8. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a vibrant and flavorful vegetarian option that pairs nicely with Pinot Noir. The sweetness of the bell peppers complements the wine’s fruity notes, while the savory stuffing, often made with rice, quinoa, vegetables, and herbs, adds depth to the pairing. The combination of flavors and textures creates a balanced and enjoyable meal.
The herbs and spices used in stuffed bell peppers, such as oregano, basil, and garlic, can enhance the earthy and herbal notes in Pinot Noir. This makes the pairing not only delicious but also complex, with each bite bringing out different aspects of the wine. Stuffed bell peppers are a versatile dish that can be adapted to various tastes, making them an excellent choice for a meal with Pinot Noir.
9. Risotto
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Risotto, with its creamy texture and rich flavor, pairs beautifully with Pinot Noir. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the risotto, creating a balanced and harmonious pairing. Whether it’s a mushroom risotto or a more adventurous beetroot risotto, the earthy and savory elements in the dish complement the wine’s fruit and spice notes.
In addition to its creamy texture, risotto can be flavored with a variety of ingredients that enhance the pairing. For example, a risotto made with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and herbs like thyme or rosemary can bring out the earthy and herbal notes in Pinot Noir. This makes risotto a versatile and sophisticated choice for pairing with this elegant wine.
10. Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Pasta with tomato sauce is a classic pairing that works wonderfully with Pinot Noir. The acidity of the tomatoes matches the wine’s acidity, creating a refreshing and balanced taste experience. The savory flavors of the tomato sauce, especially when combined with garlic, basil, and oregano, complement the wine’s complex profile.
Moreover, the sweetness of ripe tomatoes can enhance the fruity notes of Pinot Noir, making each sip more enjoyable. Whether you’re enjoying a simple spaghetti marinara or a more elaborate pasta alla puttanesca, the combination of tomato sauce and Pinot Noir is a reliable and delicious pairing that’s perfect for any occasion.
11. Quinoa Salad
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Quinoa salad is a light and nutritious pairing for Pinot Noir. The nutty flavor of quinoa complements the wine’s earthy undertones, while the fresh vegetables and herbs often included in the salad enhance the wine’s fruity and herbal notes. Ingredients like bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and fresh parsley can create a vibrant and refreshing pairing.
In addition to its flavor, quinoa salad often includes a variety of textures that can make the pairing more interesting. The crunch of vegetables, the softness of quinoa, and the zing of a lemon vinaigrette can all enhance the complexity of Pinot Noir. This makes quinoa salad a versatile and healthy option for pairing with this elegant wine, suitable for both casual lunches and more formal dinners.
12. Brie
Brie, with its soft and creamy texture, pairs wonderfully with Pinot Noir. The mild, buttery flavor of Brie enhances the smooth and subtle notes of the wine without overwhelming it. The creaminess of the cheese also helps to balance the acidity of Pinot Noir, creating a harmonious taste experience.
In addition, the slight earthy undertones in Brie can complement the earthy notes often found in Pinot Noir. Whether enjoyed on its own or with a slice of baguette, Brie with Pinot Noir is a delightful combination that brings out the best in both the cheese and the wine.
13. Gruyère
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Gruyère is a hard cheese with a nutty and slightly sweet flavor that pairs exceptionally well with Pinot Noir. The complexity of Gruyère matches the multifaceted taste profile of the wine, enhancing its fruitiness and subtle spice notes. The cheese’s firm texture also provides a pleasing contrast to the smoothness of the wine.
Moreover, Gruyère’s aged varieties develop a deeper, more intense flavor that can stand up to the bolder elements of Pinot Noir. This makes Gruyère a versatile cheese for pairing, whether you are enjoying a young, vibrant Pinot Noir or a more mature, robust vintage.
14. Goat Cheese
Goat cheese, known for its tart and tangy flavor, is an excellent companion for Pinot Noir. The acidity of the goat cheese enhances the fruity and floral notes of the wine, creating a refreshing and balanced pairing. Its creamy texture also contrasts nicely with the wine’s light body, making each sip and bite more enjoyable.
Additionally, goat cheese often has earthy and herbal undertones that mirror the subtle earthy notes in Pinot Noir. This complementary flavor profile makes goat cheese a great choice, whether served on a salad, in a tart, or simply on a cracker with a glass of Pinot Noir.
15. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a classic pairing with Pinot Noir. The bitterness of the chocolate enhances the wine’s fruit and spice notes, creating a complex and satisfying combination. The rich, deep flavors of dark chocolate contrast beautifully with the wine’s bright acidity, making each bite and sip a delightful experience.
Additionally, the high cocoa content in dark chocolate can bring out the subtle earthy and berry undertones in Pinot Noir. This pairing works especially well with a Pinot Noir that has pronounced cherry or raspberry flavors, as the fruitiness of the wine complements the chocolate’s richness. Whether enjoyed on its own or as part of a chocolate dessert, dark chocolate with Pinot Noir is a match made in heaven.
16. Berry Desserts
Berry desserts, such as mixed berry tarts, berry cobbler, or strawberry shortcake, are excellent companions for Pinot Noir. The natural sweetness and tartness of the berries enhance the wine’s fruity flavors, while the dessert’s richness is balanced by the wine’s acidity. This creates a harmonious and refreshing pairing.
Moreover, the vibrant flavors and colors of berries can elevate the visual and taste experience of your dessert. Fresh berries like raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries mirror the red fruit notes often found in Pinot Noir, making each bite and sip more enjoyable. This pairing is perfect for a summer evening or a special occasion, offering a burst of flavor that delights the senses.
17. Cheesecake
Cheesecake, with its creamy and rich texture, pairs wonderfully with Pinot Noir. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the cheesecake, creating a balanced and enjoyable combination. The subtle sweetness of the cheesecake enhances the wine’s fruit flavors, making each bite and sip a delightful experience.
For an even more elevated pairing, consider a berry-topped cheesecake. The addition of fresh berries or a berry compote not only complements the creamy texture of the cheesecake but also brings out the fruity notes in the Pinot Noir. This pairing is perfect for a sophisticated dessert that impresses guests and satisfies the palate.
18. Poached Pears
Poached pears are an elegant and delicious dessert that pairs beautifully with Pinot Noir. The natural sweetness and delicate flavor of the pears complement the wine’s fruit and spice notes. Poaching the pears in a spiced wine syrup can enhance the complexity of the pairing, adding depth and warmth to the dessert.
The soft, tender texture of poached pears contrasts nicely with the wine’s acidity, creating a balanced and refined taste experience. Serving the pears with a drizzle of the poaching syrup and a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can elevate the pairing even further. This dessert is perfect for a special occasion or a romantic dinner, offering a sophisticated end to your meal.
19. Fig and Honey Tart
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A fig and honey tart is a delightful dessert that pairs excellently with Pinot Noir. The natural sweetness of the figs and honey complements the wine’s fruity and earthy notes, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. The tart’s flaky crust adds a pleasant texture that enhances the overall pairing experience.
The caramelized figs in the tart can highlight the wine’s subtle spice notes, while the honey adds a touch of floral sweetness that balances the wine’s acidity. This pairing is perfect for those who enjoy a dessert that is not overly sweet but full of complex flavors. Serving a fig and honey tart with a glass of Pinot Noir can make for a memorable and satisfying conclusion to your meal.
