Versatile American Red

Smooth, soft, switch hitter

Wine: Oregon Pinot Noir

Why: This dry, light-bodied red grape brings the depth and complexity of flavor to match the rich sauce, while it still has the finesse and lightness to work side-by-side with the creamy risotto. Oregon Pinot’s in particular bring the acidity and smooth, soft tannins that work well with this dish

What: Similar to the Burgundy region of France, Pinot Noir grows well in the climate of the Willamette Valley in Oregon - hot summers and cold winters. Compared to wine regions further south, the cooler Oregon clime creates a fragrant and delicate profile, with tartness driven by a slower ripening of the grapes. Pinot Noir grapes grown in CA tend to be richer and slightly fuller-bodied. Pinot from Burgundy has a minerality and earthier characteristic, due to the differences in terroir. Look out for notes of plum, pomegranate, blackberry, and flowers

Buying: Look for a bottle that has had some time in oak - this will bring spice flavors and vanilla into the profile. To be labeled as single-varietal in OR, the wine must contain at least 90% of the grape. There are a ton of small, high-quality producers in OR, so avoid the larger names like A to Z Wineworks and King Estate. Look for producers: Beaux Freres, Sequitur, Kelley Fox, and Domaine Drouhin

Region: Willamette Valley, OR

Decanting: 30+ Minutes

Alternates: Cinsault, Zweigelt, Sst. Laurent, Cab Franc