Pinot Noir fits a Hanukkah meal like a yarmulke fits a bald spot… like it was made for it. Whether it’s herb-roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or braised brisket (no, not a bris kit) Pinot Noir is the ideal match. You can in fact use Pinot Noir in the preparation of the meal in addition to drinking it with the meal. It makes for a great sauce for salmon and a great braising liquid for brisket. Try the Pinot Noir recipes below or simply pair a good Pinot Noir with your favorite traditional Hanukkah recipes… it’s bound to pair perfectly.
Salmon
The lively acidity of a good Pinot Noir balances the rich fattiness of a good cut a salmon without overwhelming it with strong tannins. The fruit and spice of Pinot balances against the smoke and char of grilling. It’s a classic pairing, and if you finish the salmon filet with a drizzle of sauce made from Pinot Noir, it crosses into the sublime.
Try this easy recipe for a yummy Pinot Noir Gastrique for your salmon filets.
Brisket
The subtle and lean meatiness of a well-braised brisket can be over-shadowed by a big, robust red… but it pairs perfectly with a light and juicy Pinot Noir. Braised brisket with Pinot Noir is another classic pairing that only gets better when you use Pinot Noir as the braising liquid.
Try this delicious recipe for Pinot Noir Braised Brisket.
Chicken
Poultry is a swinger. It can pair with several varieties of wines depending on how it is prepared. But I can pair wonderfully with Pinot Noir when roasted with a variety of herbs. Try creating a rub by blending several cloves of garlic with fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage, olive oil, salt, pepper and maybe a teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Cover the inside and out of a chicken generously and roast at 300 for 2 to 2 ½ hours. You just made another classic Hanukkah entrée that goes with Pinot Noir like … well, like bo’re p’ri goes with ha gafen.
Happy Hanukkah!
Below is a list of some of the major kosher Pinot Noir producers whose kosher Pinot Noirs can be easily found online.
Kosher Pinot Noir
Abarbanel Pinot Noir – Kosher Pinot Noir
Alfasi Pinot Noir Reserve – Kosher Pinot Noir
Barkan Pinot Noir – Kosher Pinot Noir
Galil Pinot Noir – Kosher Pinot
Gamla Pinot Noir – Kosher Pinot Noir
Goose Bay Pinot Noir – Kosher Pinot Noir
Hagafen Pinot Noir – Kosher Pinot Noir
Herzog Special Reserve Pinot Noir – Kosher Pinot Noir
Yarden Pinot Noir – Kosher Pinot Noir