Roasted Duck Breast

Red · Medium · Dry

Pinot Noir (red) or Chardonnay (white) from the world's most expensive dirt. Translucent, perfumed, ethereal at the top of the hierarchy; honest and pleasant lower down. Drink slowly, with reverence.

Works with Herb Roasted Duck Breast · Roasted Duck Breast In Orange Sauce · Duck Breast With Creme Fraiche And Roasted Grapes

White · Medium · Dry

The most-planted white grape and the most chameleon-like. Crisp and steely from Chablis; rich, oaky, and tropical from California. Read the label, then match the style to the dish.

Works with Herb Roasted Duck Breast · Roasted Duck Breast In Orange Sauce · Duck Breast With Creme Fraiche And Roasted Grapes

Red · Light · Dry

Burgundy's most temperamental grape, but the rewards are real — translucent ruby with a perfumed lift of red cherry, forest floor, and clove. Silken tannins and bright acid make it the most versatile red on the table; serve cool, around 58°F.

Works with Herb Roasted Duck Breast · Roasted Duck Breast In Orange Sauce · Duck Breast With Creme Fraiche And Roasted Grapes

White · Light · Dry

Citrus, cut grass, and a wire of acid. Marlborough makes it loudest; Sancerre makes it most refined. Either way, it cuts cleanly through goat cheese, herbs, and anything with shellfish.

Works with Herb Roasted Duck Breast · Roasted Duck Breast In Orange Sauce · Duck Breast With Creme Fraiche And Roasted Grapes

Red · Medium · Dry

The blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre that fills every wine list in France for a reason — friendly, peppery, slightly rustic, made to wash down anything from grilled vegetables to lamb stew.

Works with Roasted Duck Breast In Orange Sauce · Duck Breast With Creme Fraiche And Roasted Grapes

Red · Medium · Dry

California and Oregon's answer to Burgundy — riper, more upfront fruit than the French original, with cherry, raspberry, and gentle oak. Sonoma and Willamette set the standard.

Red · Full · Dry

The benchmark for full-bodied red — structured, age-worthy, unapologetic. Black currant, graphite, and tobacco lead into firm tannins that demand protein on the plate. Decant young bottles; cellar the serious ones.

Red · Full · Dry

Bordeaux's tiny-percentage powerhouse — deep color, intense tannin, blackberry and violet. Rarely solo; transformational in a blend.

Red · Medium · Dry

Pinot Noir from Burgundy — translucent, perfumed, ethereal at the top tiers; honest and pleasant lower down. Drink slowly, with reverence.

Rosé · Light · Dry

Provence's gift to summer — dry, pale, faintly strawberry-and-citrus, with low alcohol and crisp acid. Made to drink cold, with food, in the shade.

Sparkling · Light · Dry

A traditional-method sparkling wine — fine bubbles, brisk acid, citrus and toast. The all-purpose celebration wine; equally good as an aperitif.