Today is National Pinot Noir Day and it comes right after my trip to Willamette Valley in Oregon. The timing couldn’t be better! One of my favorite wine varietals (as if you didn’t already know) is Pinot Noir and today celebrates it in major style. On my recent trip to Oregon, I visited Ken Wright Cellars and did a tasting of 3 of their beautiful Pinots: Bonnie Jean, Shea, and Savoya all from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The characteristics of each of these wines were somewhat similar with their floral, berry, and spice focused flavor profiles but beyond that, they were stunningly different! The Bonnie Jean incorporated mocha, and vanilla notes, the Shea, bright with caramel and maple and the Savoya had a black currant and dried cherry undertone. My personal favorite was the Shea…just a beautiful and luscious wine! Kudos to Ken Wright Cellars!
Pinot Noir is such an interesting and finicky grape…it’s a grape that can not only hold its red fruit flavors but can be aged in French oak to bring out all the other flavors that are possible when a winemaker performs their magic. I feel like every one is different and distinctive.
Since it’s National Pinot Noir Day, here are a few facts about Pinot Noir you may or may not know:
- Pinot Noir is a difficult grape to grow. It ripens unevenly on the vine, so it needs more attention than other grapes. It’s delicate.
- Pinot Noir is a lighter bodied red wine. So, for new red wine drinkers, it may be a better choice than a heavier Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah.
- Pinot Noir typically has red fruit flavors: cherry, raspberry, cranberry. It has medium to low tannins and medium to high acidity.
- Pinot Noir is usually aged in French oak to smooth it out and impart some vanilla, clove and/or caramel flavors.
- Pinot Noir is grown in cooler climates (Burgundy, Oregon, Northern California, New Zealand) and can be served on the cool side (around 63 degrees F).
- Some of the world’s best and sought-after wines are those from Burgundy, France (they are Pinot Noir, of course!)
- Pinot Noir is used in some rosé and sparkling wines. Check them out!
- Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are typically grown together. They both like the cooler climate. Where you find one, you’ll usually find the other.
- A perfect Pinot Noir glass is a large, bell-shaped glass with a longer stem. Pinot likes to be swirled in the glass to bring out it’s lovely aromas and to view its beautiful color!
- Pairing notes: Pinot Noir is the perfect pairing wine. It’s light enough to taste well with almost anything from salmon to burgers to pizza. It also is a lovely companion to Gruyere cheese!
 photo from winefolly.com
So, on this National Pinot Noir Day, get yourself a bottle of your favorite, open it up and share it with your partner in wine! It will provide a thrilling combination of flavors for your palate! My favorites are from Oregon and France but for sure try a Sonoma, Russian River or Marlborough, NZ Pinot or…experiment with others anywhere from Chile to Italy and see what you like best! After all, you’re the one drinking it and only you can decide what suits your palate best!
Enjoy your glass of Pinot Noir today!
Cheers!