The Best Burgundy Mushroom Dishes and Wine Pairings
Read Our Recipes for Burgundy Mushroom Dishes and Learn What Burgundy Wine To Pair With Them
With its complex flavors and rich character, Burgundy wine – and especially red Burgundy wines made with the Pinot Noir grape – offers unique food pairing combinations, especially with Burgundy mushroom dishes. The flavors of the humble mushroom, along with undergrowth and animal notes, are one of the hallmarks of the Pinot Noir grape, especially when aged.
Mushrooms, with their earthy, umami-rich taste, are able to complement the flavors of Burgundy wine in a way quite unlike other foods. In this article, we’ll explore Burgundy mushroom dishes, delve into the best ways to cook with Burgundy wine in mushroom dishes, and explain why the two ingredients make such a perfect pairing.
Different Types of Mushrooms You Can Cook With
There are many different types of edible mushroom to choose from, but some of the most common ones are:
Plurette (or Pleurotus): these are some of the most popular edible mushrooms in the world. Known for their white color, you will sometimes hear them called oyster mushrooms or tree mushrooms. They’re easy to cook with as they are thin and so cook evenly, unlike some other forms of mushroom.
Brown button (or cremini): with their rich brown cap and firm texture, these mushrooms are a favorite with chefs worldwide, not just in Burgundy. They are stronger in flavor than their white cousins, with a full umami flavor and an almost meaty texture which adds an extra level to many food dishes, and can pair wonderfully with the right Burgundy red wine.
Black trumpet (or trompette): despite the French name for these mushrooms translating as “trumpets of death”, they are in fact extremely tasty, pretty cheap, and are quite commonly found. You may also see them called ‘horn of plenty’ in English due to their appearance. They’re certainly a memorable shape – dark brown or almost black, craterellus mushrooms.
Porcini mushrooms (or king bolete or cèpe): these are beloved by gourmet chefs, who usually either sauté them or add them to risotto or pasta dishes. They have a surprisingly rich, nutty taste and a tender, meaty texture when cooked.
Why Mushrooms Pair So Well with Burgundy Wine
The connection between Burgundy wine and mushrooms goes beyond mere coincidence. The earthy flavors in both mushrooms and Burgundy wine create a harmonious balance that enhances the dining experience.
Mushrooms are one of the best examples of umami flavor, one of the five basic tastes, known for its savory and mouth-watering flavor profile. Burgundy wines, particularly Pinot Noir, also have earthy notes—think of hints of forest floor, wet soil, and even truffles, which tie in seamlessly with the natural flavors of mushrooms.
Moreover, the acidity in Burgundy wine can balance the richness of Burgundy mushroom dishes, while its smooth tannins help bring out the savory qualities. Pinot Noir, the star of red Burgundy wine, is often described as having a vibrant fruitiness that pairs very well with the more robust flavors of mushrooms, creating a lovely contrast in your meal. The subtleties that Burgundy wine is capable of also ensure that the delicate textures of mushrooms aren’t overpowered. In fact they are enhanced, making the wines of the Bourgogne region the perfect match for dishes that include these flavorful fungi.
Burgundy Wines With Mushroom Characteristics
Domaine Michel Rebourgeon Bourgogne Cote d'Or Rouge: this regional appellation of red Burgundy wine is considered the model of what all good Burgundy wine should be – widely produced, with the ability to reflect terroirs very clearly, but at a very attractive price point. They are capable of showing great contrasts on the palate – they’re fruity especially when young, but then as they get older they give wild aromas of undergrowth and – you guessed it – mushroom.
Domaine De Suremain Chateau de Monthelie: the younger wines of the Monthelie appellation give basketfuls of fruit on the palate and can be very floral – but as they age they evolve, and take on those holy-grail characteristics of leather, undergrowth and mushroom.
Domaine Jean Fery Cote de Nuits Villages Clos de Magny: this gleaming crimson red again demonstrates the incredible spectrum of flavors that Pinot Noir can offer, even at the simpler Village level of appellation. It starts with cherry and blackcurrant but then gives cinnamon, underbrush and mushroom flavors – and all smooth and strong.
Burgundy Mushroom Dishes and Wine Pairings
Aged Côte de Boeuf, Slow Roasted with a Compound Butter, Garden Vegetables & Local Mushrooms: this recipe of dry-aged beef calls for about 1lb of fresh mushrooms, and at Domaine de Cromey we use plurette & brown button. For a wine pairing for this dish try Domaine Marchand Frères Gevrey Chambertain 'Vieille Vignes' or Marchand-Tawse Chambolle Musigny.
Pike-Perch with Black Trumpet Mushrooms & Artichoke Sauce - and with this dish we recommend Jean-Jacques Girard’s Bourgogne Blanc.
Mushroom Risotto with Bourgogne Blanc wine – you could add mushrooms to our recipe here for Venetian Pea Risotto
Mushroom Bourguignon – a vegetarian twist on the classic Beef Bourguignon - Portobello and cremini mushrooms work best for this one.
Tips when cooking with Burgundy Wine
Quality Matters: Use a wine that you would be happy enough to drink on its own. You’ll find that the flavor of the wine often concentrates as it cooks in your Burgundy mushroom dishes, so its quality will directly affect the dish.
Deglazing: When browning meats or sautéing vegetables, add Burgundy wine at the end to “deglaze” the pan. This process lifts flavorful brown bits, enriching the dish.
Marinade: Burgundy wine is the perfect marinade base for meats or mushrooms. Combining it with herbs and spices will infuse the ingredients with deep flavor.
Slow Cooking: Burgundy wine is excellent for braising because its acidity helps tenderize meats and enhances the dish's complexity.
Balance: Make sure to balance the wine with other ingredients in your Burgundy mushroom dishes. The richness of the wine pairs well with creamy sauces or the earthiness of mushrooms.
Watch us Cooking These Dishes on Our YouTube Channel
Have you seen our YouTube channel? You can find us @burgundywine or at this link to the Elden Selections page. Here you’ll find wine tasting clips, recipe tutorials, and video tours of our home in Burgundy – open to guests now – called Domaine de Cromey.
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