When people talk about “Burgundy wine”, 99% of the time they are talking about light-bodied red wine made from Pinot Noir. There is no other location on the planet that suits Pinot Noir as well as the province of Burgundy, and wines from here are known for being incredibly nuanced, accessible, delicious and most importantly, food-friendly.
In terms of flavor, Burgundy is known for its complex palate of dark fruits, which is often underpinned by a “funky” earthy taste. That distinctive characteristic gives you a great foundation for pairing. Burgundy is fantastic with anything umami flavored and mushroom dishes are a must-try. However, Burgundy is also a high-acid wine, and as we will discover in this article, it can be paired with a huge variety of meals, from rich beef stews to fresh, cheesy salads.
Meat That Pairs Well With Burgundy
Pinot Noir’s unusual combination of red fruit flavors, high acidity and low tannin content makes it an interesting wine to pair with meat. We know that tannins are great for soaking up fat, so it makes sense to assume that leaner cuts of meat will work better. However, Burgundy’s high acidity means it can cut through a lot of fat and oil, so in general, we’re just looking for meats that will enhance the flavors of the wine. Turkey is widely considered to be the optimal choice. It has a lot of delicate, savory flavors that blend beautifully with Burgundy’s earthy nuances. Poultry is excellent in general – the wine’s high acidity will make a roast chicken, for example, seem all the more succulent.
You can also enjoy Burgundy with smoky pieces of pork, or regional Burgundy pairings, like the hearty beef bourguignon. Game meat with Burgundy also makes a lot of sense, and your bottle will be excellent alongside a tender piece of rabbit.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Burgundy
Burgundy is a pretty versatile wine when it comes to pairing with cheese, and we recommend shopping around to find out what you like best. However, there are some possible pointers to get you started. Look for semi-soft cheeses with a relatively mild, nutty flavor. These will pair well with Pinot Noir’s umami side, without overpowering the palate and the delicate fruit flavors of the wine. Specifically, you can try out cheeses like Comté, Gruyère, Emmental and Gouda. It is also worth experimenting with a variety of sheep’s milk cheeses – they match Burgundy’s profile extremely well.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Burgundy
The world is your oyster when it comes to pairing appetizers with Burgundy. With its high acidity and complex fruits, Burgundy can be paired with almost any classic appetizer. However, you should probably avoid pairing it with oysters! Think more along the lines of stuffed mushrooms, stuffed peppers, cheese plates, smoked salmon, charcuterie boards and bacon-wrapped dates/asparagus. These all provide a wide range of earthy flavors that will help you unlock every aspect of the wine – and these combos are almost guaranteed to get your mouth watering.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Burgundy
While most heavy red wines are best when paired with meat, the refreshing lightness of Burgundy opens up a whole world of pairing options for vegetarians. You can start with mushrooms. These umami treats harmonize beautifully with Pinot Noir. Mushroom risotto, mushroom pizza, mushroom soup or a Portobello mushroom burger would all be fantastic. We also recommend beetroot (another vegetable with very strong earthy notes), particularly if you put it in a fresh salad with some cheese. Bean-based burgers and simple roasted vegetables (such as sweet potatoes or peppers) are also worth trying out.
Herbs That Pair Well With Burgundy
Thyme, rosemary and dill are all beautiful, pungent herbs that will help you to unlock Pinot Noir’s herby notes and accentuate its freshness. Allspice is a fabulously diverse ingredient to use, and baking spices such as vanilla, cinnamon and clove will help you to discover Burgundy’s (often subtle) spicy side.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Burgundy
Pinot Noir can clash with exceptionally acidic dishes – it’s best to let the acidity in the wine work its magic with minimal interference. For an example of a bad pairing: battered white fish and chips, doused in lemon and vinegar. This would just spoil the nuanced flavors in the wine. It can also be a bad pairing with extremely delicate seafood, such as oysters or scallops.
Best Foods To Eat With Burgundy
In short, Burgundy is hugely versatile, and you can try pairing it with pretty much anything until you find what suits you best. However, to save you some time, we specifically recommend dishes with an earthy, umami quality. These will harmonize with the Pinot Noir “funk”, and serve to accentuate the wine’s crisp fruity side.
- Roast Turkey
- Anything with Mushrooms
- Smoked Salmon
- Roast Chicken
- Beef Bourguignon
