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André Tschelitscheff,
considered America's most influential
post-prohibition winemaker, was famously quoted
as saying "God made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas
the devil made Pinot
Noir." This grape is frustratingly
difficult to grow and make, but the quality of
the wines can be so superb that winemakers
around the world dedicate themselves to this
fickle grape.
The
History of Pinot Noir
The history of Pinot Noir isn't
completely clear, although descriptions
matching Pinot date back as far as the 1st
century AD. It is very closely
related to other "Pinot" grapes, such as
the humble Pinot Meunier of Champagne,
and the Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris
white grapes of Burgundy. However,
studies have been inconclusive or
contradictory in some cases about the exact
nature of these relationships, adding to the
difficulty in tracing this
grape's lineage.
Qualities of
the Pinot Noir Grape
Pinot Noir does not
easily reward the wine grower. The vines are
highly susceptible to a variety of ailments,
and the grape's thin skin make it prone to rot
and other problems in the vineyard and also
cause it to bruise easily. It must be harvested
extremely carefully and the grapes must be
crushed as quickly as possible post-picking.
While Cabernet Sauvignon's thick skins make it
heartier and produce heartier, more tannic
wines, the near-fragility of the Pinot
Grape yields a wine with delicacy and
soul.
Pinot Noir Wine
Characteristics
Body: light
Tannins: light to medium
Acidity: medium
Flavors: red fruit, especially cherry and
strawberry, as well as complex notes of earth
and mushrooms
Regions Where Pinot
Noir is Grown
- France's Burgundy
region, for still reds
- France's Champagne region, for blanc de
noirs sparkling wines
- Cooler wine climates of the U.S., such as
Oregon's Willamette Valley and California's
Russian River Valley (north) and Santa Rita
Hills / Santa Lucia Highlands regions
(south)
- New Zealand's Marlborough region
- Chile's Casablanca Valley
Pinot Noir Fast
Facts
- Bottled by varietal
name in Burgundy
- Also bottled by regional name for
Champagne - if used predominantly, wines
will be denoted 'blanc de noirs', but can also
be used with Chardonnay in standard
Champagne blends
-
Bottled by varietal name outside of France
- Villages of Burgundy:
- Famous Producers:
- Some vintages can be drunk young, but
wines can also have excellent aging potential:
10 - 30 years
Pinot Noir Wine
& Food Pairing
- Delicious paired
with a wide variety of foods,
including richer fish, such as tuna
or salmon, as well as chicken, game birds
and pork
- Easy Food and Wine pairings with Pinot
Noir:
Honey-Mustard Pork Tenderloin with
Collard Greens
Turkey
Meatloaf with Chunky Vegetables &
Spicy Glaze
Turkey
Empanadas with Cranberry-Pineapple
Salsa
Here are some of our
favorites:
2008 Mirassou Pinot Noir,
California
An elegant style with bright red fruit flavors
and nice acidity. Excellent value
from this larger-scale producer.
($9)
2008
Mark West Pinot Noir, California
This winery specializes in delicious,
affordable 'Pinot for the People'. Viva la
Revolucion! ($10)
2007 Cloudline Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley,
Oregon
A bit austere at first, this Pinot becomes much
more expansive and full when paired with
food. ($20)
2006 Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot, Les Grandes
Terpes
Light in body and tannin with spicy,
gamy notes. Complex and intriguing -
classic red Burgundy.
($30)
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