Red wine guide

Pinot Noir / Burgundy

Elegant red with red cherry, earth, spice and fine tannins. Great with duck, mushroom, poultry, pork and lighter beef dishes.

Recipes that pair with it Good vs bad bottles Wine guide
Wine story

What is Pinot Noir / Burgundy?

Pinot Noir / Burgundy is a red wine style best understood through its balance of fruit, freshness, body, tannin, sweetness and texture. Elegant red with red cherry, earth, spice and fine tannins. Great with duck, mushroom, poultry, pork and lighter beef dishes. Typical flavours include red cherry, raspberry, earth, mushroom, spice.

Regions

Burgundy, Oregon, Central Otago, Baden

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Spätburgunder

Style

Light Red · 12.5-14%

Style profile

Colour Red
Body Light Medium
Acidity Medium High
Tannin Low Medium
Sweetness Dry
Oak Low Medium
Sparkling Still
ABV 12.5-14%
Flavour profile: red cherry, raspberry, earth, mushroom, spice

Grapes, regions and character

Pinot Noir / Burgundy is commonly associated with Pinot Noir, Spätburgunder. The grape choice shapes the wine’s aroma, structure, acidity, body and food-pairing personality. Classic regions include Burgundy, Oregon, Central Otago, Baden.

Typical regions

Burgundy, Oregon, Central Otago, Baden

Typical countries

France; United States; New Zealand; Germany

What does Pinot Noir / Burgundy pair well with?

Pair Pinot Noir / Burgundy by matching the wine’s weight, acidity, sweetness and tannin to the dish. It works especially well with duck, mushrooms, roast poultry, pork, lighter beef, truffles. It is usually less successful with very spicy chilli or sugary desserts.

Best food matches

duck mushrooms roast poultry pork lighter beef truffles

Pairings to avoid

very spicy chilli or sugary desserts

What makes a good or bad Pinot Noir / Burgundy?

Good version

A good Pinot Noir / Burgundy should taste balanced, expressive and clean. Look for clear fruit, freshness, structure and a finish that suits the style. The acidity is usually medium-high, so the wine should feel lively without becoming harsh. The body is usually light-medium, so it should match the weight expected from this style.

Bad version

A poor Pinot Noir / Burgundy can taste flat, tired, harsh, thin, overly sweet, too alcoholic or unbalanced. Avoid bottles where oak, bitterness, heat or sweetness dominate the fruit, freshness and structure.

Buying tip

When buying Pinot Noir / Burgundy, look for bottles where the region, grape and producer style match the food you want to cook. Useful countries to look at include France; United States; New Zealand; Germany.

Serving tip

Serve Pinot Noir / Burgundy at around 14-16°C. Serving temperature matters because too warm can make wine feel heavy, while too cold can mute flavour.

Storage tip: Store Pinot Noir / Burgundy somewhere cool, dark and stable. Most everyday bottles are best enjoyed for freshness, while more structured or premium examples may develop with time.
Food pairing

Dishes that go well with Pinot Noir / Burgundy

This section flips the recipe pairing system: instead of showing wines on a recipe, it shows the active recipes that have been paired with this wine style.

Boeuf Bourguignon
Excellent pairing Main 3 hr 45 mins

Boeuf Bourguignon

Burgundy-style Pinot Noir mirrors the wine-based sauce and earthy depth of Boeuf Bourguignon.

Why it works red fruit, earth and acidity echo the braise
Coq au Vin
Excellent pairing Main 24 hr

Coq au Vin

Burgundy-style Pinot Noir mirrors the wine-based sauce and earthy depth of Coq au Vin.

Why it works red fruit, earth and acidity echo the braise
Duck à l’Orange
Excellent pairing Main 2 hr

Duck à l’Orange

Pinot Noir is classic with duck because it has red fruit, earth and enough acidity without harsh tannin.

Why it works red cherry meets duck richness and orange sweetness
Adana Kebabı
Great pairing Main 50 mins

Adana Kebabı

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Alaska Salmon with Wild Rice
Great pairing Main 50 mins

Alaska Salmon with Wild Rice

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Ali Nazik Kebabı
Great pairing Main 1 hr 5 mins

Ali Nazik Kebabı

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Arnaki Fricassee
Great pairing Main 2 hr 5 mins

Arnaki Fricassee

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Arroz de Pato
Great pairing Main 3 hr 5 mins

Arroz de Pato

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Aussie Beef Burger with the Lot
Great pairing Main 37 mins

Aussie Beef Burger with the Lot

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Barbacoa de Borrego
Great pairing main 3 hr 30 mins

Barbacoa de Borrego

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Barbecued Lamb Chops
Great pairing Main 30 mins

Barbecued Lamb Chops

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Bebek Goreng
Great pairing Main 2 hr 30 mins

Bebek Goreng

This style works with Bebek Goreng because it can handle Indonesian spice, sweetness, coconut, smoke or palm-sugar richness without overwhelming…

Why it works Match the wine to chilli, coconut, sweet soy, frying or palm sugar rather than to the protein alone.
Beggar’s Chicken
Great pairing Main 4 hr 30 mins

Beggar’s Chicken

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Biber Dolması
Great pairing Main 1 hr 20 mins

Biber Dolması

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Bobotie
Great pairing main 8 hr 57 mins

Bobotie

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Bobotie Bites
Great pairing starter 8 hr 57 mins

Bobotie Bites

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Boulfaf
Great pairing Main 37 mins

Boulfaf

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Braaied Lamb Chops
Great pairing main 8 hr 57 mins

Braaied Lamb Chops

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Buddha’s Delight
Great pairing Main 1 hr 15 mins

Buddha’s Delight

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Bunny Chow
Great pairing main 4 hr 43 mins

Bunny Chow

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Caldereta de Cordero
Great pairing Main 2 hr 30 mins

Caldereta de Cordero

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Cape Malay Akhni
Great pairing main 4 hr 43 mins

Cape Malay Akhni

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Cape Malay Samoosas
Great pairing starter 8 hr 57 mins

Cape Malay Samoosas

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Cassoulet
Great pairing Main 5 hr

Cassoulet

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Chawanmushi
Great pairing Starter 43 mins

Chawanmushi

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Chouriço Assado
Great pairing Starter 20 mins

Chouriço Assado

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Claypot Rice with Lap Cheong
Great pairing Main 55 mins

Claypot Rice with Lap Cheong

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Confit de Canard
Great pairing Main 3 hr 40 mins

Confit de Canard

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Cordero Patagónico al Asador
Great pairing Main 4 hr 25 mins

Cordero Patagónico al Asador

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Couscous with Seven Vegetables
Great pairing Main 2 hr 10 mins

Couscous with Seven Vegetables

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Curry Duck
Great pairing Main 1 hr 50 mins

Curry Duck

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Denningvleis
Great pairing main 9 hr 16 mins

Denningvleis

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Dolmades
Great pairing Starter 1 hr

Dolmades

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Durban Lamb Curry
Great pairing main 4 hr 43 mins

Durban Lamb Curry

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Egyptian Kofta
Great pairing Main 43 mins

Egyptian Kofta

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Eight Treasure Duck
Great pairing Main 4 hr 30 mins

Eight Treasure Duck

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Etli Nohut
Great pairing Main 1 hr 50 mins

Etli Nohut

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Etli Yaprak Sarma
Great pairing Main 1 hr 50 mins

Etli Yaprak Sarma

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Fattah
Great pairing Main 2 hr 10 mins

Fattah

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Feta Saganaki
Great pairing Starter 15 mins

Feta Saganaki

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Frikkadels with Tomato Gravy
Great pairing main 8 hr 57 mins

Frikkadels with Tomato Gravy

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Galician Empanada
Great pairing Starter 1 hr 15 mins

Galician Empanada

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Gemista
Great pairing Main 1 hr 30 mins

Gemista

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Gigantes Plaki
Great pairing Starter 2 hr

Gigantes Plaki

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Harira
Great pairing Starter 1 hr 40 mins

Harira

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Hoppin John with Collard Greens
Great pairing Main 1 hr 35 mins

Hoppin John with Collard Greens

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Hünkar Beğendi
Great pairing Main 2 hr

Hünkar Beğendi

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
İçli Köfte
Great pairing Main 1 hr 35 mins

İçli Köfte

Pinot Noir combines red fruit, earth and moderate structure, especially credible with duck, game birds, mushrooms and richer fish.

Why it works red fruit and forest-floor notes mirror game and mushrooms
Explore more wine styles

Similar wines to try next

Explore nearby styles by colour, structure or flavour family.

Agiorgitiko / Xinomavro
Red

Agiorgitiko / Xinomavro

Greek red pairing family: Agiorgitiko is plush and fruity; Xinomavro is more structured and savoury. Works with lamb, m…
Barbera
Red

Barbera

Bright Italian red with red fruit, low tannin and high acidity. Excellent with tomato, pork, sausages, cheese and heart…
Barolo / Nebbiolo
Red

Barolo / Nebbiolo

Structured Piedmontese red with rose, cherry, tar, truffle and firm tannin.
Beaujolais / Gamay
Red

Beaujolais / Gamay

Juicy light red with cherry, raspberry and low tannin. Excellent slightly chilled with charcuterie, poultry, pâté, saus…