Pinot Noir
Delicate Red Wine
Pinot Noir is a light red wine, first planted by the Gauls before the Roman invasion. By 150BC there were vineyards in France of this fine grape. The pinot noir grape is the main grape used in much of Burgundy. It is used for Red Sancerre wine. Some experts feel that pinot noir makes the finest wine in the world.
It was only recently, in the early 1990s, that pinot noir began to be grown in quantity in California, Oregon, Australia and New Zealand. Pinot Noir grows best in cool climates. It is known as an extremely difficult grape to grow and to make into wine.
A Pinot Noir's color can be any of a range of colors - from cherry red to puple-red and even brown as the wine ages. Typical flavors include earth, leather, vanilla (from the oak), and jam ... the fruity flavors of the jam often taste like raspberry, strawberry, and plum.
Pinot Noirs go well with pasta with red sauce, or lighter beef dishes. Also, any local game you might have, or even goose would do well. It should be served at around 61F. While some pinot noirs are meant to be drunk immediately, a fine pinot noir can easily age for 10 years or more.
The "progression of wine drinking" that some wine lovers believe in is that most people start out drinking a sweet wine like white zinfandel. They slowly work their way "up" through buttery wines and fruity wines, like zinfandel and then cabernet. Then, and only then, do they reach the point of being able to appreciate the subtle flavors of a fine pinot noir or Burgundy.
Give a few Burgundies a try and see if you agree!
Wine Types Main Listing
All content on the WineIntro website is personally written by author and wine enthusiast Lisa Shea. WineIntro explores the delicious variety and beautiful history which makes up our world of wine! Lisa loves supporting local wineries and encouraging people to drink whatever they like. We all have different taste buds, and that makes our world wonderful. Always drink responsibly.
It was only recently, in the early 1990s, that pinot noir began to be grown in quantity in California, Oregon, Australia and New Zealand. Pinot Noir grows best in cool climates. It is known as an extremely difficult grape to grow and to make into wine.
A Pinot Noir's color can be any of a range of colors - from cherry red to puple-red and even brown as the wine ages. Typical flavors include earth, leather, vanilla (from the oak), and jam ... the fruity flavors of the jam often taste like raspberry, strawberry, and plum.
Pinot Noirs go well with pasta with red sauce, or lighter beef dishes. Also, any local game you might have, or even goose would do well. It should be served at around 61F. While some pinot noirs are meant to be drunk immediately, a fine pinot noir can easily age for 10 years or more.
The "progression of wine drinking" that some wine lovers believe in is that most people start out drinking a sweet wine like white zinfandel. They slowly work their way "up" through buttery wines and fruity wines, like zinfandel and then cabernet. Then, and only then, do they reach the point of being able to appreciate the subtle flavors of a fine pinot noir or Burgundy.
Give a few Burgundies a try and see if you agree!
Wine Types Main Listing
All content on the WineIntro website is personally written by author and wine enthusiast Lisa Shea. WineIntro explores the delicious variety and beautiful history which makes up our world of wine! Lisa loves supporting local wineries and encouraging people to drink whatever they like. We all have different taste buds, and that makes our world wonderful. Always drink responsibly.