Learn about the BEST Pinot Noir food pairings with this handy guide.
Pinot Noir is one of the most food-friendly red wines. With flavors of black cherry, warm spices, orange peel, and earthy notes, this versatile wine has soft tannins with a bright acidity, and a smooth finish.
Pinot Noir is much lighter bodied than other red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah. If you love a lighter red wine, you’ll probably also love Gamay or Grenache.
Fruitier, less tannic styles of Pinot Noir pair well with lighter dishes of seafood (salmon, halibut) and chicken. The bright acidity works as a palette cleanser, making it perfect for pairing with rich, creamy pasta dishes and risottos.
Earthier, more tannic Pinot Noir wines pair well with meats such as pork, filet mignon, and game dishes.
Stews, wild mushrooms, and root vegetables also make good pairings with Pinot Noir. A classic pairing is Beef Bourguignon. Or, try a fun pairing with char siu pork or crispy duck pancakes.
Want to serve an entire dinner paired with pinot noir? Be sure to check out my multi-course meal with pinot noir food pairings.
The BEST Pinot Noir wine pairings:
These delicious recipes pair perfectly with a glass of pinot noir.
Pot Roast
Pot roast makes an excellent pairing with a more tannic style of pinot.
Easy Roasted Chicken
A lighter bottle of pinot noir makes the perfect pairing for roast chicken.
Miso Chicken
Umami packed dishes like this miso chicken with mushrooms are great pinot noir pairings.
Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Roast pork is perfect for pairing with Pinot.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup with Fresh Dill
Earthy, Oregon Pinot Noir, is the perfect compliment to a bowl of this creamy soup.
Chicken Marsala with Mustard & Mascarpone
Creamy sauces are just begging for wines with high acidity. This one is a perfect pairing.
Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Mousse
A classic pairing for a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce
With aromas of cherry, a glass of pinot really compliments this pork chop dish.
Gnocchi with Blue Cheese and Frizzled Prosciutto
Milder blue cheeses make a great match for Alsace pinot noir.
Cornish Game Hen Recipe with Apricot Glaze
Game birds are a great pairing for versatile red wines like pinot. Also, be sure to try pairing a glass with your roast turkey for Thanksgiving!
