Sommelier Reveals Top Pinot Noir Food Pairing Tips
Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Called ‘Most Versatile’ Sonoma Pinot Noir
Michael Dolinski, advanced sommelier at Portale Restaurant, New York’s celebrated Michelin-star Italian eatery shared his top pinot noir food pairing tips in an exclusive interview with the Sonoma Wine Tasting Blog, which gives readers the inside scoop on the best wine tasting in Sonoma County.
The California North Coast region is known for its cool climate red wines and white wines, such as Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Gewurztraminer, and Dry White Zinfandel, and for its many romantic wine tasting spots.
Portale is known for its classical dishes combining a touch of Sicilian heritage with an American flare from Chef Alfred Portale. As a red wine varietal, Pinot Noir has grown to become the second most popular red wine in the United States, just behind Cabernet Sauvignon.
The cool climate of Sonoma County, with it’s coastal fog layer is known to produce the best Pinot Noir grapes in the country. The Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) consistently produce the most celebrated Pinot Noirs in the US.
According to Dolinski, who created the wine list and manages the program at Portale, the Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Russian River Pinot Noir red wine is the ideal accompaniment to Chef Portale’s slightly spicy Italian cuisine.
The tendency to pair Portale’s food—along with other spicy cuisines, such as Indian—with a sweet wine like Moscato is a misguided one, says Dolinski. Food and wine pairing for heat is not about dulling the spice; it’s about spicing it up.
Dolinski started as a wine steward at the Marcel Desaulniers Trellis in Williamsburg, VA. After working in various capacities in the industry as a fine wine wholesaler to a retailer in the DC metro area, he is now an Advanced Sommelier and his curated wine list at the Chelsea restaurant is as much of a draw as the award-winning restaurant’s exceptional entrees. Dolinski has accumulated a long list of credentials as a wine director for several celebrity chefs.
Michael Dolinski’s Pinot Noir Food Pairing Tips start with Salmon, a classic Pinot Noir food, followed by halibut, tuna, arctic char, and other fatty fish.
Dolinski calls the Halleck Vineyard’s Russian River Pinot the most versatile red wine; it can be paired with anything, from ricotta meatballs to fresh salads.
He calls the Halleck Three Sons Sonoma Pinot Noir red wine “beautifully balanced, fruitier, less tannic, and a perfect fusion of clove, forest floor, black pepper, and cinnamon.” It is a rare red wine that delivers acidity and freshness, which is why it works with countless possibilities and is his go-to Pinot Noir food pairing red wine.
“If I’m going to a dinner party where I didn’t know what they were serving, Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Pinot Noir would be a great bottle to bring because whatever they put on the table, this is a red wine varietal that has a chance. It’s not overblown or overdone. It’s not too high in alcohol, yet it’s bright and classically California”, says Dolinski.
The Three Sons Russian River Valley Pinot Noir red wine is not sold in stores. It is only available at fine restaurants, at wine tastings at the Halleck Vineyard winery and estate in Sebastopol, on online at www.halleckvineyard.com.
Halleck Vineyard hosts one of the best Sonoma wine tasting at their Sebastopol Estate Winery. The price is $65 per person, limited to only 16 guests per wine tasting, and reservations are required.
The Halleck Vineyard wine tasting experience includes 3 double gold Sonoma white wines, 1 gold award-winning Sonoma Rose wine, 4 double gold Sonoma pinot noirs, local cheese, infused chocolate, dried apricots, and other delicacies.
About the Sonoma Wine Tasting Blog
The Sonoma Wine Tasting Blog – sponsored by Halleck Vineyard – is a top online destination for visitors seeking accurate, up-to-date, informed guidance on the best wine-tasting experiences in Sonoma County. The blog focuses exclusively on Sonoma County wineries, known for cool climate varietals such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
The Sonoma Wine Tasting Blog covers wines, wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms in the 19 Sonoma County American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) which are the Alexander Valley (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel), Bennett Valley (Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), Carneros (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), Chalk Hill (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon), Dry Creek Valley (Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc), Fort Ross-Seaview (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay), Fountaingrove (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Syrah, Viognier), Green Valley (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay), Knights Valley (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot), Moon Mountain (Cabernet Sauvignon), Northern Sonoma (Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel), Petaluma Gap (Pinot Noir), Pine Mountain-Coverdale Peak (Cabernet Sauvignon), Rockpile (Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel), Russian River Valley (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), Sonoma Coast (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), Sonoma Mountain (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), Sonoma Valley (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel), and West Sonoma Coast (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah)
In addition to covering Sonoma wine tasting experiences, the Sonoma Wine Tasting Blog also covers Sonoma wine varietals, the local environment, sustainable viticulture, food and wine pairings, wine ratings, and holiday wines. Articles appearing on the Sonoma Wine Tasting Blog are edited and written by 9 freelance wine writers.
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