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Pinot Noir is a light to medium-bodied red grape known for red fruit flavours, high acidity and elegant texture. Most famous in Burgundy, it is also widely grown in Oregon, New Zealand and cool-climate regions around the world.
Rosé Champagne is sparkling wine from Champagne with a pink colour, made by blending still red Champagne wine into white base wines or by macerating black grapes. Most bottles taste dry; check the sweetness category on the label.
Both are white Champagnes: Blanc de Blancs uses white grapes, usually Chardonnay; Blanc de Noirs uses Pinot Noir, Meunier or both. The first can feel citrus-led and fine, the second broader and fruitier, though bottles overlap.
Blanc de Noirs Champagne is white Champagne made exclusively from black-skinned grapes, usually Pinot Noir, Meunier or both. It often has more body and ripe-fruit character, but its exact style depends on the wine.
Pinot Noir is the best all-round match: its fresh red fruit and gentle tannins suit mushrooms’ savoury, earthy flavour. Try Chardonnay with cream or Gamay for a lighter red alternative.
Choose a fresh, medium-bodied red for steak and ale pie, textured Chardonnay for creamy chicken and mushroom, and dry sparkling wine or fresh Chardonnay for fish pie. For blue cheese, try Sauternes or sweet Chenin Blanc.
Nebbiolo is a red grape from Piedmont, Italy, known for pale, perfumed wines with high acidity and firm tannins. Barolo and Barbaresco are its famous expressions; other regions offer fresher, lighter styles.
Mondeuse is a red grape from Savoie in eastern France, known for fresh acidity, dark berries, violet and pepper. Its structured, characterful wines are especially associated with Arbin, a Savoie cru, and pair naturally with savoury food.
Savoie is a small, scattered wine region in eastern France, best known for crisp Jacquère whites, aromatic Altesse and peppery Mondeuse reds, often shaped by Alpine slopes and cool conditions.
Off-dry Chenin Blanc is our best all-round recommendation for pumpkin. For specific dishes, try Chardonnay with roasted pumpkin, off-dry Riesling with pumpkin pancakes, textured Pinot Grigio with gnocchi and Pinot Noir with savoury spiced pumpkin.
Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are neighbouring Loire appellations famous for dry Sauvignon Blanc. Their flavours overlap considerably, so producer and site often matter as much as appellation. Sancerre also makes Pinot Noir red and rosé.
France's Loire Valley stretches from the Atlantic inland. Expect crisp Muscadet, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, with styles ranging from bone-dry to sweet and sparkling.
Sauvignon Blanc is the benchmark wine for fresh goat cheese, especially from Loire Valley. Dry Chenin Blanc suits firmer, mature or substantial preparations, while Vermentino and Albariño offer fresh alternatives. Brut sparkling wine is another interesting choice across several goat-cheese styles.
Second Glass
Second Glass writes about wine. Please confirm you are old enough to view alcohol-related content in your location.
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