If you've got a bottle of Pinot Noir and you're wondering what food to pair it with, here are some of the tastiest pairings! This Pinot Noir Food Pairing guide will walk you through easy food and wine pairings for the most delicious meal.
Being an Oregon girl, Pinot Noir is one of my favorite grape varietals.
Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile and food-friendly red wines out there. This delicate and complex wine can pair beautifully with a wide range of dishes, from light seafood to hearty beef.
Here's a Pinot Noir Food Pairing guide to help you select the best food pairing for that delicious bottle of Pinot Noir wine!
Jump to:
- What is Pinot Noir?
- Where is Pinot Noir grown?
- What does Pinot Noir smell and taste like?
- Frequently asked questions
- Best Pinot Noir food pairing recipes
- Roast chicken
- Pinot Noir with salmon
- Roast pork tenderloin
- Duck breast
- Beef Bourguignon
- Charcuterie
- Mushroom risotto
- Pinot Noir with Asian food
- Pinot Noir with pizza
- Grilled vegetables
- Dark Chocolate
- More wine & food pairings
What is Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir is a cool climate red wine grape variety that is known for its delicate, complex, and nuanced flavors. Pinot Noir grapes are thin-skinned and difficult to grow, which makes them highly prized by winemakers. The wine made from Pinot Noir grapes can range from light and fruit-forward to rich and full-bodied.
Due to its versatility and food-friendly nature, Pinot Noir is a popular wine pairing choice for many occasions and cuisines.
Where is Pinot Noir grown?
Grown in many wine regions around the world, Pinot Noir is most closely associated with the Burgundy region of France. It's also grown in the US (Oregon, California, and Washington), in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
Pinot Noir wine is a true expression of the terroir in which it is grown. For example, Oregon Pinot Noir can have earthier aromas and flavors compared to California Pinot Noir.
What does Pinot Noir smell and taste like?
Classic Pinot Noir often exhibits aromas and flavors of red fruit. It has bright berry flavors of strawberries, red cherries, and raspberries. Depending on where the grapes are grown, light-bodied Pinot Noir can also showcase earthy flavors, such as mushroom and forest floor, and subtle hints of spice.
Frequently asked questions
Both of these red wines are delicious food-friendly wines. However Pinot Noir is lighter bodied with less tannins and more fruit forward, so good pairings include chicken, fish, and barbecue. Cabernet Sauvignon is fuller bodied with heavier tannin and more oak and spice notes, so it pairs well with red meat like steak.
Pinot Noir is one of the hardest grapes in the world to grow. The costs involved with growing these grapes and producing quality Pinot Noir tend to be higher than other wines. You can, however, find high quality Pinot Noir at lower price points in the US.
Best Pinot Noir food pairing recipes
A versatile wine, Pinot Noir can pair with so many different dishes. Here are a few of the best Pinot Noir food pairings that will elevate your dining experience.
Roast chicken
Pinot Noir’s light tannins and bright acidity of the wine make it an ideal match for roasted chicken. The wine’s earthy notes complement the savory flavors of the chicken, while its acidity cuts through the richness of the meat.
Try our Classic Roast Chicken recipe or our Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe.
Pinot Noir with salmon
Pinot noir and salmon is a classic pairing, and you'll see it often, especially in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Often the saying "what grows together goes together" is spot on, and this is true for Pacific Northwest salmon and Pinot Noir.
The light-bodied wine is a perfect pairing with fatty fish like grilled salmon. The wine’s subtle fruitiness pairs well with the fish’s delicate flavors, while its acidity helps balance out the richness of the salmon.
Try our Grilled Salmon recipe or our Pan-Seared Salmon recipe.
Roast pork tenderloin
The fruity and spicy notes of Pinot Noir make it a great match for pork tenderloin. The wine’s acidity helps cut through the richness of the meat, while its fruitiness complements the sweetness of the pork.
Try our Instant Pot Pork Roast recipe or our Instant Pot Stuffed Pork Loin Roast recipe.
Duck breast
Pinot Noir’s light tannins and bright acidity make it an excellent pairing for duck breast. The wine’s earthy notes complement the gaminess of the duck, while its acidity helps to cut through the richness of the meat.
Beef Bourguignon
Pinot Noir is a classic pairing for this French dish, which features tender beef braised in red wine. The wine’s tannins and acidity help cut through the richness of the beef, while its fruitiness complements the flavors of Beef Bourguignon.
Try our Classic Beef Bourguignon recipe.
Charcuterie
Pinot Noir is a perfect match for a charcuterie board, which typically features a variety of cured meats, cheeses, and other savory bites. The wine’s light tannins and bright acidity help to cut through the richness of the meat and cheeses, while its subtle fruitiness complements the flavors of the board.
Try our Charcuterie Cones recipe.
Mushroom risotto
The earthy, mushroomy flavors of Pinot Noir make it an excellent pairing for mushroom risotto. The wine’s acidity helps to cut through the richness of the risotto, while its subtle fruitiness complements the umami flavors of the mushrooms.
Try our Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto recipe.
Pinot Noir with Asian food
Pinot Noir can be a great match for many Asian dishes, thanks to its light to medium body, bright acidity, and delicate fruitiness. When choosing a Pinot Noir to pair with Asian food, look for wines that are light and fruit-forward, with enough body to stand up to bold flavors.
Generally, Pinot Noir’s light to medium body, bright acidity, and delicate fruitiness make it a great match for many Asian flavors, including those found in Japanese, Thai, and Chinese cuisines. However, as with any wine pairing, it’s important to consider the specific dish and its ingredients.
Try our Pad See Ewe recipe or our Beef Pad Thai recipe.
Pinot Noir with pizza
One of my favorite Pinot Noir everyday food and wine pairings is Pinot Noir with pizza.
Pinot Noir’s versatility makes it a great pairing for pizza, whether you’re enjoying a classic Margherita or something more complex. The wine’s good acidity helps cut through the richness of the cheese, while its fruitiness complements the tomato sauce.
Grilled vegetables
Pinot Noir’s subtle fruitiness and light tannins make it an excellent pairing for grilled vegetables. The wine’s acidity helps to cut through the richness of the vegetables, while its fruitiness complements their natural sweetness.
Try our Grilled Asparagus in Foil recipe.
Dark Chocolate
The fruitiness and light tannins of Pinot Noir make it a great pairing for dark chocolate. The wine’s acidity helps to cut through the richness of the chocolate, while its fruitiness complements the flavors of the cocoa.
Try our Chewy Chocolate Fudge Cookies recipe.
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