What to Know About Pinot
Pinot. So great, you don’t even have to say its full name – the Cher of the grape world, shall we say. And in honor of National Pinot Noir Day, we’ve penned a primer on pinot noir. Once you’ve brushed up, enjoy our recommendations to celebrate the day. Are you ready?
Believed to be more than two thousand years old, pinot noir is known as one of the “founder varieties,” along with savagnin and gouais blanc. These discoveries gave way to a myriad of other grapes, including chardonnay and syrah. The resulting wines typically exude not only fruity notes, such as cherries and plums, but also earthy ones — like aromas of forest trees or well-worn leather. Less tannic and lighter than many other red varietals, pinot noir is a well-known and well-loved grape and wine.
So what are your options when it comes to the good stuff? (AKA what should you be drinking)? Many. Old World pinot noirs are plentiful, including perhaps the most famous pinot noir of all: – Romanée-Conti from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. And New World? Well, let’s just say California alone has such a plethora of pinot noirs that they don’t have to worry about running out any time soon.
As far as we’re concerned Arista, Routestock, Davies Vineyards, and Hyde de Villaine all produce exceptional examples of the style (no surprise on that last one, given the background), and Kumeu River brings something new to Old World style. Their New Zealand pinot noir comes from Burgundy vines planted in 1994. Looking for some bubbles? Gosset Blanc de Noirs is made with 100% pinot noir grapes, primarily sourced from Grand Crus like Aÿ and Ambonnay, and a delicious example of the grape’s sparkling potential.
For even more pinot noirs to choose from, peruse our portfolio and get to celebrating.