Varietals - Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a red wine grape that is most associated with the Burgundy region of France.  The grape is growing in popularity and is now also planted in various locations worldwide including Australia, Canada, Germany, Hungary, and Macedonia.  The Pinot Noir vines are extremely sensitive, leading to difficult cultivation that places some limits on wine production.  However, the wine that is produced has become one of the most popular wines anywhere.

The Pinot Noir grape is used to produce light to medium bodied Pinot Noir wines with rich, red fruit aromas and a lighter red color than many other red wines.  The grape also contributes to Champagne, adding a light fruit flavor to sparkling wines. 

This grape, cultivated by ancient Romans as Helvenacia Minor, is also known as Pinot Nero, Clevner, Gamay Noir, and Burgundac.  Along with being prone to vineyard issues, the grape is also difficult to ferment due to a complex structure of amino acids, which leads to the world renowned complexity and smoothness of flavor common to wines created with this troublesome grape.  Old World versions feature notes of mushroom, smoke, tea and spice with a characteristic tartness.  New World Pinot Noirs are lighter and fruitier, with elements of earth, florals, and juicy red fruits.

Excellent choices in Pinot Noir wines range across price points.  The 2003 Castle Rock Carneros Pinot Noir is a great bargain find at $10 or less, while Oregon’s 2007 Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir sells for $20.  The Australian 2004 Henschke Giles Lenswood Vineyard retails for $45, the French 2005 Vincent Girardin Santenay Les Charmes for $31, and the Italian 2005 Tramin Alto Adige Pinot Nero for $23.  Sampling wines from each location will showcase the variety of flavors, colors, and textures of this extremely versatile grape.