In light of International Pinot Noir Day, here’s a chance to learn more about this expressive and sensitive grape varietal. Pinot Noir produces a mind-boggling range of nuances, which are highly sought by wine lovers from around the world. In the broadest terms, Pinot Noir tends to be of light to medium body with aromas reminiscent of black cherry, raspberry, or currant. Traditional red Burgundy is famous for its fleshy, ‘farmyard’ aromas, but changing fashions and new easier-to-grow clones have favored a lighter, fruitier style. However, an emerging style from California highlights a more powerful, fruit-forward and darker wine that can approach Syrah in depth.
Pinot Pairings
Being one of the most versatile red wines, Pinot Noir can pair well with just about anything. Lighter, fruitier versions pair best with salmon, chicken, sweet vegetables, mushrooms, and mild cheeses. Richer, more full-bodied Pinots pair best with strong flavors like duck, lamb, pork, quail, and sharp cheeses. Our 2017 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir falls somewhere in-between, offering enticing floral aromas with subtle nutmeg and dark cherry notes. The medium-bodied palate brings vibrant flavors of fresh strawberry and raspberry leading to a light and bright finish with excellent acidity. We suggest pairing this particular Pinot Noir with earth and unami flavors, like caramelized onion pizza, stuffed portabella mushrooms, and beef bourguignon. For a limited time, enjoy 25% off this 2017 Reserve Pinot Noir along with all Reserve wines (Club Members save 35%) when ordering 6+ bottles. You’re welcome to mix and match to complete the 6 bottle pack. Plus $1 shipping in CA or $10 shipping in the continental U.S. is available!
Where to Find Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir grapes are difficult to grow and are prone to diseases like noble rot; sensitive and delicate just like the best of us. Warm climates and long maturation in new oak barrels may dilute the typical characteristics, but subtle oak aromas and flavors is a trait of high-quality, complex Pinot Noir wines. Cool and moderate climates are what’s needed to produce high-quality Pinot Noir, places like:
- United States: California (Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Rita Hills) and Oregon (Willamette Valley)
- France: Burgundy (Côte d’Or)
- Chile: Casablanca Valley
- Australia: Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula
- New Zealand: Martinborough, Marlborough, Central Otago
The finest and most awarded Pinot Noir wines originate from the Burgundy region in France, and most celebrated vineyards are located in the sub-region of Côte d’Or. Synonymous with elegance, complexity, and age-worthiness, these Pinots are quite expensive, but more affordable and usually more fruit-forward Pinot Noir wines may be found in Sonoma County and Russian River Valley in California, Willamette Valley in Oregon, Yarra Valley in Australia, and Casablanca Valley in Chile. Pinot Noir grapes are known to be hyper expressive, in that they are able to reveal small changes in the vineyard that it comes from. Various characteristics and traits are expelled depending on the climate, terroir, and winemaking process of the specific vintage. Some experts are able to detect minute differences between wines from vineyard plots just meters away from one another.
Have you tried this 2017 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir yet? Now is your chance while the savings are HUGE! In celebration of International Pinot Day, we decided to go BIG and offer 25% off our Pinot Noir & all Reserve wines (35% off for Wine Club Members) when ordering 6+ bottles! Plus enjoy $1 shipping in CA or $10 shipping in the continental U.S.! Special offers valid through August 19th! Click Here to explore our Pinot Noir offerings.
