Perfect Pairings & Recipes for
Pinot Noir

Top flavour pairings and recipes for Pinot Noir, according to analysis of thousands of recipes.

Pinot Noir is defined by the unmistakable flavours of raspberry and cherry, woven with delicate hints of blackberry, vanilla, and oak. These are the notes that lend it such remarkable, resonant depth. The key to a truly exceptional combination lies in appreciating how these accents harmonise and interact.

To map these harmonies, we analysed thousands of ingredients, breaking each one down across 150 flavour dimensions, identifying which notes complement and contrast. Our analysis reveals, for example, how venison's ferrous tones ground Pinot Noir, and how beef chuck's bovine notes create a surprising synergy with its bright sweetness.

An ingredient's flavour profile is determined by its core characteristics (e.g. acidic, floral, and earthy) enhanced by layers of subtle aroma notes (outer bars). When pairing ingredients, aim for a mix of core traits to build balance, and select complementary aroma notes to create harmony.

The Flavour Code

To understand exactly which flavours harmonise, we compiled a database of over 50,000 ingredient pairings commonly used in cooking. We then analysed these pairings, identifying the specific flavour notes that frequently appear together.

The Flavours That Harmonise With Raspberry Notes

Our analysis reveals a strong connection between raspberry and beef flavours. Since Pinot Noir has a distinct berry-like flavour, try pairing it with the beefy flavours of beef chuck.

The recipe below provides inspiration for pairing Pinot Noir with beef chuck.

Harmonious Flavours Of Pinot Noir

Just as our statistical analysis showed that raspberry and beefy flavours are harmonious, we can identify the full profile of flavours that harmonise with each of the flavour accents present in Pinot Noir. For instance, the cherry-like notes of Pinot Noir are strongly associated with clove-like and orangey flavours.

The accents complementary to the various notes of Pinot Noir can be seen highlighted in the pink bars below.

Matching Flavour Profiles

The flavour profile of venison offers many of the aromas complementary to Pinot Noir, including ferrous and gamey aromas. Because the flavour profile of venison has many of the of the features that are complementary to Pinot Noir, they are likely to pair very well together.

The chart above shows the unique profile of venison across 150 dimensions of flavour, while the recipes below offer inspiration for bringing these flavours together with Pinot Noir.

Recipes That Pair Pinot Noir With Venison

Linked Flavour Notes

Looking at the aromas that are most strongly associated with the various flavours of Pinot Noir, we can identify other ingredients that are likely to pair well.

The left side of the chart above highlights the aroma notes of Pinot Noir, along with the complementary aromas associated with each note. While the right side shows some of the ingredients that share many of the aroma notes complementary to Pinot Noir.

Which Cheese Go With Pinot Noir?

Choose cheese that anchor its berryness or infuse with its dry sensation. Gorgonzola and blue cheese offer vibrant, clean counterpoints, their verdant freshness lifting the palate. Stilton add a gentle, oniony brightness, while caprino introduces a sophisticated, anise-tinged elegance.

Alternatively, embrace cheese that harmonise with Pinot Noir's woodiness. The addition of mature cheddar, with its subtle butyric notes, can complement the tea beautifully, while ricotta salata lends a pungent aroma.

How Flavonomics Works

We've pioneered a unique, data-driven approach to decode the intricate art of flavour pairing. Our goal is to move beyond intuition and uncover the science of why certain ingredients harmonise beautifully. This rigorous methodology allows us to provide you with insightful and reliable pairing recommendations.

Our analysis begins with over 50,000 carefully selected recipes from acclaimed chefs like Galton Blackiston, Marcello Tully, and Pierre Lambinon. This premium dataset ensures our model distils genuine culinary excellence and creativity.

Each ingredient from these recipes is deconstructed across 150 distinct flavour dimensions, creating a unique numerical "flavour fingerprint." This quantification allows us to apply advanced analytical methods to identify complex patterns between flavour notes.

We identify popular ingredient combinations that frequently appear in our recipe database. Regression analysis is then performed on these pairings to statistically validate and pinpoint truly harmonious flavours.

These insights drive our predictive model, which allows us to take any ingredient (e.g., Pinot Noir), analyse its detailed flavour profile, and accurately reveal its complementary flavours and perfect ingredient partners.