The 18th of August is International Pinot Noir Day. Critics who adore Pinot Noir describe it as “the most poetic wine, which makes the stomach turn like falling in love.” Pinot Noir is one of the toughest, independent, and unusual grape varieties; you can’t ignore it, but if you like it, it’s for life!
For International Pinot Noir Day, we explore the merits of this unique wine and introduce you to the best Pinot Noir wines from across the world. We’re heading on the road, so prepare your glasses!
Before the Dawn of Time
Despite the aura of youth and romance hovering around it, Pinot Noir is considered to be one of the world’s oldest grape varieties. According to some experts, Pinot Noir was already cultivated in northeastern Gaul long before the Romans arrived. Having wandered through northern and central France, Pinot Noir vines found their final place in the cool climate of Bourgogne – there they successfully survived Roman rule, the turbulent Middle Ages, and the deadly invasion of phylloxera. Bourgogne is generally an iconic place known specifically for this variety: here, Pinot Noir’s “mysterious” old-world style was shaped.
The name Pinot Noir refers to the shape of the bunches: it means “black cone” in French. In Italian, it is known as Pinot Nero, while in German, it is known as Spätburgunder. Today, Pinot Noir vineyards can be found all over the world, covering about 100,000 hectares. Additionally, Pinot Noir is the ancestor of several other grape varieties, such as Aligote, Gamay, and even Chardonnay.
A Capricious Princess in the World of Wine
Creating wine from Pinot Noir is like managing a large kingdom. In more than one sense, you can see the world through a glass of Pinot Noir wine, and this is despite the fact that the winemaker has made every effort to carefully extract the precious color. Pinot Noir wineaccumulates half as many polyphenols (tannins, aromatic and coloring substances) as Cabernet Sauvignon, for example. That’s why the cool climate of Burgundy is so suitable for the grape: it stretches the maturation period as much as possible allowing the grapes to gain more substance.
Sugar, on the other hand, does not like cold weather, therefore chaptalization (the addition of rectified grape juice to complement the naturally occurring sugar) was the standard in Burgundy until recently. Aging in oak is – with few exceptions – necessary for a high-quality Pinot Noir wines. When the tannins are softened, the averages balance out and the gentle tone of the varietal characteristics allows the terroir richness to shine through.
Pinot Noir vineyards, Burgundy wine region
Mirror of the Terroir
After all, this translucent wine is able to demonstrate not only the aromas of roses, violets, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, or raspberries, but also the characteristic tones of the “undergrowth” – autumn leaves, needles, mycelium, smoke, wet wool, skin, fresh game, and other animal shades. It’s unique and it’s totally worth a try.
Pinot Noir wine is a master of reflecting the characteristics of terroirs, which is why it is a favorite of experienced tasters. The light, delicate nature of Pinot Noir red wines, their rather high acidity, soft tannins, and multifaceted aromatics requires a thoughtful attitude and inner readiness.
Characteristics of Pinot Noir
Burgundy, a Benchmark of Finest Pinot Noir Wines
The gold standard of this wine is Bourgogne Côte-d’Or Pinot Noir. The aroma of Côte d’Or Pinot Noir is dominated by distinctive floral notes and forest scents. In addition to the primary scents, French Pinot Noir has exquisite undertones of roses, violets, and fresh aromatic cherries.
Where to taste best Pinot Noir in Burgundy?
Prosper Maufoux
Authentic wines with a long winemaking tradition in the charming town of Santenay.
Olivier Leflaive Frères
Olivier Leflaive Frères offers simply great wines from the heart of Burgundy.
Château De Chamirey
Elegant castle, exclusive Premier Cru Pinot Noir wines located in one of the best terroirs of Mercurey.
Domaines et Maison Famille Picard
A winery with their fascinating story of winemaking located in the prestigious village of Chassagne-Montrachet.
Maison L. Tramier & Fils
Beautiful village of Mercurey, latest oenological technologies, finest quality wines and many other things for you to discover at this outstanding winery.
Neighboring appellations, such as Volnay and Pommard, create very diverse types of Pinot Noir, giving more individuality to the wine. Pinot Noir wines have also been successfully produced in Alsace, where it is typically the only red variety, and in the Loire Valley – in Sancerre – for a long time. Because of its closeness to the Côte d’Or, white lime-clay soils, and general climatic characteristics, it is possible to create a refined and delicious Pinot Noir, either red or pink.
Where to taste the best Pinot Noir in Loire Valley?
Domaine Eric Louis Les Celliers de la Pauline
The Eric Louis winery produces distinguished Pinot Noir in the heart of Sancerrois. Besides top-notch Pinot Noir, they also produce high-quality wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc with a combination of traditional methods with modern and innovative techniques.
Photo Credit: Jean Philippe Ehrmann
Domaine Pierre Riffault
Absolute care in the vineyard, winemaking passion and exceptional Pinot Noir wines.
The International Flavor Profile of Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir red wine comes in a range of styles, each of which reflects the personality and flavor of the country, and even the wine region from which it derives. We’ve compiled a list of countries having the best Pinot Noir wines, as well as wineries to visit if you are curious about trying this wine.
Where to taste the best Pinot Noir in USA?
Oregon Pinot Noir – Fabolous wines to try
Among the American states, Oregon has achieved the greatest success in the production of Pinot Noir. Local grapes have adapted to the open nature of the Americans, but have retained the French mannerism. Rich, juicy, full taste wines come from this region.
Wineries to visit and try Pinot Noir in Willamette Valley:
- Willamette Valley Vineyards At Tualatin Estate – Winery that produces high-quality red, white, rose, and sparkling wines with respect to nature.
- Yamhill Valley Vineyards – Unique charm, intensity and complexity of Willamette Valley terroir.
- Winter’s Hill Estate – The winery is frequently praised for producing ‘Vineyard Designated’ wines, as well as producing grapes of outstanding quality.
Californian Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir produced in California is easily distinguished from the one coming from French or Italian wineries. It’s recognizable by its more intense aroma and bright taste. Its powerful fruitiness is determined by a whole palette of notes-from sweet dark cherry to blackberry, which is complemented by notes of vanilla, cloves, Coca-Cola and caramel.
Wineries to visit and try Pinot Noir in Sonoma:
- Emeritus Vineyards – Crafting high quality Sonoma Pinot Noir with balanced aromas and flavors.
- Karah Estate Vineyard – Thirty-Five acres of vineyard land is dedicated to create exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Bien Nacido & Solomon Hills Estate – The wine produced at Bien Nacido is excellent, producing wines with unique structure, aroma, and complementing the hard work that went into the winemaking.
Where to taste the best Pinot Noir in New Zealand?
Pinot Noir in New Zealand has gradually improved over the last 30 years, and it is now a significant player on the wine world stage. Initially, local New Zealand winemakers used Burgundy style as a benchmark in order to attain more fruit, alcoholic maturity and harmony. They developed their own regional and even sub-regional style throughout time. As the number of Pinot Noir vineyards increased, researchers gained a better understanding of which soil and local circumstances are best to grow this complex grape variety.
Central Otago
Viticulture in Central Otago dates back to the Gold Rush of the 1860s, but the modern industry really began to develop only in the 1990s. Since then, local Pinot Noir from Central Otago has greatly advanced both in quantity and quality.
Central Otago is the only region of New Zealand with the influence of a continental climate. This is a zone of extremes, with cold winters and short hot summers. Wine production in Central Otago is described as “winemaking on the edge of the abyss”.
Marlborough
Pinot Noirs from Marlborough demonstrate a developed aroma, with a palette of red fruits – in particular, ripe cherries – with confident tannins that provide the potential for aging.
Aging Barrels at Mahi.
Wineries to visit and try Pinot Noir in Central Otago:
- Wooing Tree Vineyard – Winery with 16 ha of remarkable Pinot Noirs of the region.
- Domaine Thompson Wines – Winery that produces organic and biodynamic wine in two great wine regions: Central Otago, New Zealand and Burgundy, France.
Wineries to visit and try Pinot Noir in Marlborough:
- Dog Point – The vineyards located in Omaka Valley with dense planting and scientific management of vines showed how interesting Pinot Noir can be made in Marlborough.
- Lawson’s Dry Hills – 100% sustainable wines with outstanding quality.
- Mahi – The wines grown in different subregions with minimum mechanical intervention.
The International Flavor Profile of Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir wine is capable of eliciting a flurry of emotions when served with the right meal. It is the most versatile red wine, working well with vegetables, seafood, and meat. Only meals with a thick or too rich flavor will “not work together” with this delicate and fragile type (like meat served with heavy cream sauces). Otherwise, you’re only restricted by your creativity when it comes to using Pinot Noir for your dinner parties.
- Fruity, raspberry-cherry New World wines go well with grilled tuna, gently smoked salmon, thyme-and-rosemary-stuffed chicken, or duck cooked in apples.
- Pinot Noirs that are more mature and full-bodied might be used to complement a barbeque or game.
- Finally, Pinot Noir is one of the rare wines that doesn’t lose its way when it comes to mushrooms; in fact, its forest notes blend in nearly flawlessly with the earthy bouquet of mushroom pizza or chanterelle risotto.
If you are around, plan the visit to one of these wineries to celebrate International Pinot Noir Day or grab a bottle of Pinot Noir and enjoy it with your loved ones.
