The top 5 sexiest Pinot Noirs

Epicurious.com

These five wines help set the mood. Better yet, they're paired with recipes, so you've got five instant dinners.

Beringer Third Century 2005 Pinot Noir, Central Coast , California

(about $14)

This bottle's name refers to the fact that this winery is now operating in its third century--the company has been around since 1876. The Central Coast is similar to the cool climate of Burgundy , and the fruit shows the same characteristics of just-ripe fruit with an intoxicating undercurrent of earth and spice. (Though if you really like spicy, you might consider a Zinfandel instead.)

Meaty Recipe Pairing:
Pork Tenderloin with Tart Cherry, Port, and Caraway Sauce
The lovely aromas of port and caraway blend well with the alluring notes of spice and earth in this wine.

Meatless Recipe Pairing:
Seared Salmon with New Potatoes and Dijon Broth
Dijon , traditionally made in Burgundy , is a natural complementary flavor to Pinot Noir, also made in the region.


Errazuriz Wild Ferment 2005 Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley , Chile

(about $17)

This wine was fermented with wild native yeasts, which extends the fermentation process and deepens both the color and flavor of the wine. It is full-bodied, with the lush flavors of strawberry, plums, and cedar, and a silky smooth texture. Dishes cooked with wine are easy to match with many vinos, but I chose this dish because the root vegetables echo the wild, sexy earthiness of the wine.

Meaty Recipe Pairing:
Chicken in Red Wine Sauce with Root Vegetables and Wilted Greens
The wild ferment of this wine creates flavors that pair nicely with the earthy notes of the root vegetables.

Meatless Recipe Pairing:
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Pinot is one of the few red wines that marries well with the meaty flavor and texture of tuna.


Amity Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir , Oregon , United States

(about $23)

An elegant, medium-bodied Pinot, this one has enticing aromas of spice and black cherry that marry splendidly with the robust flavors in the pasta "rags" recipe and Beef Bourguigon. The wine is elegant and balanced, with a long finish. Although the dishes are a little more muscular than the wine, they work together much like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. (She definitely needed balance to dance backwards in heels.) You'll dance all night with this wine.

Meaty Recipe Pairing:
Beef Bourguignon
The elegance of the Pinot and its black cherry flavor go well with the savory nuances of this dish.

Meatless Recipe Pairing:
Pasta "Rags" with a Thousand Herbs
The Pinot's spicy nature picks up on the spices in this dish.



Austins 2006 Pinot Noir, Geelong , Victoria , Australia

(about $25)

As one of Australia 's oldest wine regions, Geelong is host to many small, artisanal wineries like Austins . The area's cool climate and oceanside location help produce wines that are balanced but also have rich, ripe fruit flavors. This Pinot, bursting with cherry notes, is closed with a screwcap, which, if nothing else, allows for quick access when speed, not finesse, is often a key factor.

Meaty Recipe Pairing:
Pork Rib Roast with Fig and Pistachio Stuffing
The cherry notes in the wine marry beautifully with the fig and pistachio flavors of this dish.

Meatless Recipe Pairing:
Salmon Steaks with Red-Wine Butter
The ripe fruit flavors in the Pinot meet the fresh, vibrant flavors of the salmon.



Domaine Chandon 2005 Pinot Noir, Carneros/Napa, California

(about $28)

This medium-bodied Pinot has notes of raspberry, cherry, cedar, and a touch of oak. Domaine Chandon is known for its fabulous sparkling wines, so it's not surprising that it does a great job with finicky, cool-climate Pinot (one of the most food-friendly wines on the planet). It may be known as the "heartbreak grape," but that has nothing to do with its impact on relationships; it's an indication of how difficult it is to grow. Like a great relationship, when it works, it's pure magic.

Meaty Recipe Pairing:
Pan-Grilled Paillards of Duck
The Pinot Noir's raspberry notes work like a garnish when set against the rich flavors in the grilled duck.

Meatless Recipe Pairing:
Fish Tagine with Tomatoes, Capers, and Cinnamon
The vibrant acidity in this dish is matched in the wine.



Natalie MacLean's bestselling book

Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glasshas just been published in paperback. She was named the World's Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in 2005 for the articles and wine picks in her free wine newsletter available at www.nataliemaclean.com.





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