Getting To Know Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a fiddly little grape to grow but whenIf you like you red wine very fruity but with soft
it’s at it best it produces some of the mosttannins, look to Pinot Noir from Germany. It is the
esteemed and expensive wines in the world. Readmost widely planted grape here and is known as
on learn more about this exciting little grape.Spatburgunder.
Styles of Pinot NoirPinot Noir is also grown in the USA, Chile and
Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned grape and it produces aArgentina and these countries offer great value
light to medium bodied red wine. Depending onalternatives to Pinot Noir from Burgundy. The
where it is grown, styles range from red fruitstyle of wine tends to be darker and richer.
through to back cherries accentuated by spicesChampagne and Pinot Noir
and flavours of mushrooms.Pinot Noir isn’t just famous for its role in
Prestigious BurgundyBurgundy reds. It is also one of the three
The classic region for Pinot Noir wines is Burgundypermitted grapes used to make Champagne.
in France. Some of the most prestigious redsMore Pinot Noir grows in Champagne than in any
wines in the world, such as those from Gevreyother region of France and it can be blended with
Chambertain, Vosne-Romanee and ChambollePinot Meunier and Chardonnay, or used on its own
Musigny, are all made from here and from themaking Champagne called Blanc de Noirs.
Pinot Noir grape. Wines from these wine-makingTricky Little Grapes
areas are mostly barrel aged and are fine winesPinot Noir can be a tricky little grape to grow. It
of great finesse and expense.requires a relatively cool climate in which to grow
However, if your pockets aren’t deep enough– anything too hot and this results in over ripe
for top end Burgundy, there are less prestigious,and jammy wines. Pinot Noir is prone to almost
better -value versions available. Bourgogne Rougeevery disease going and it has a disliking to frost.
AC is also made from Pinot Noir and also fromNot only that but it is also an awkward little grape
Burgundy but the difference is that it doesn’tto vinify. Skilled and careful handling is required to
have such a posh name attached. Try wines fromturn this fiddly little grape into the fantastic wine
here or the lighter, yet lower cost, versions fromloved by so many of us.
across the valley in the Jura.Partnering Pinot Noir and Food
Pinot Noir Around the WorldThe soft, smooth nature of Pinot Noir makes it a
Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red grape ingood match for simple but rich dishes such as
New Zealand and here it shows great promise togrilled salmon or plain roast beef. You’ll find
rival the best from Burgundy. Pinot Noir from Newthat the flavours will also go well with any
Zealand is generally fuller bodied and has intensemushroom based dish. Many French dishes such
fruit, with lots of spicy notes. Martinborough,as Coq au Vin or Boeuf Bourguignon are based on
Marlborough and Central Otago are the key PinotPinot Noir so these make a great food and wine
Noir growing regions in New Zealand.combination.