Raise a toast to Pinot Noir on 18th August
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International Pinot Noir day falls on the 18th August each year. Rebecca Pitcairn is eager to raise a toast to her favourite grape with five wines that showcase this multi-faceted, challenging, yet highly-rewarding grape variety.
Sensitive, temperamental, needy… as I write these words about the Pinot Noir grape, I realise it’s similar to how I might describe my toddler. Likewise, when handled in the right way, Pinot Noir can give back more than you can imagine.
“Pinot needs constant care and attention…and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it,” Miles Raymond, AKA Paul Giamatti remarked in the 2004 American film Sideways, spurring a boost in sales across the globe and particularly in the New World.
Mile continues: “Only somebody who really takes the time to understand pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression… Then, its flavours, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and ancient on the planet."
Thin skinned and acutely sensitive to the climate in which it is grown, it can be a difficult little sucker. However, like anything that demands hard work, the reward is great, and Pinot Noir is responsible for producing some of the world’s most elegant and complex wines.
Still Reds
These are the most common and traditional styles. They are typically light to medium-bodied with high acidity and soft to moderate tannins. Flavours often include red fruits (cherry, raspberry, strawberry) with secondary notes of earth, mushroom, floral elements, and sometimes spice or smokiness, depending on the region, winemaking and maturation process.
Some winemakers are making lighter, brighter, fruity styles using carbonic maceration or a short fermentation process. The Impressionist from North Macedonia is one well worth trying – and at a great price!
The Impressionist Pinot Noir 2022
£12.50
Previously called "Whale Point", this Pinot Noir from North Macedonia has now been rebranded as "The Impressionist". It is a pale ruby red in colour...… read more
Believe it or not, winemakers in the Languedoc region of Southern France are also trying their hand at growing Pinot Noir, although they produce bold, fuller wines due to the warmer climate. Le Fou – translated as “the madman” in a nod to the potential folly of growing this difficult grape in such conditions – shows what can be achieved.
Le Fou Pinot Noir 2023, Languedoc
£12.50
‘Le Fou’ translates as ‘The Madman’, as it has long been thought only a madman would try to produce the perfect Pinot Noir in southern...… read more
Wines from more traditional regions (like Burgundy) have the potential to age for several decades, developing complex tertiary notes like truffle, forest floor and dried fruit. Good value can be found on the Côte de Beaune (better known for its exceptional Chardonnay, it also produces excellent Pinot Noir). “Les Gollardes” from Domaine du Prieure in the village of Savigny-les-Beaune is very approachable, but with the potential to age.
Domaine du Prieure "les Gollardes" 2020, Savigny les Beaune
£34.50
Made from grapes grown in an 80 acre plot on the slopes of Savigny les Beaune which enjoys excellent sunshine. This elegant perfurmed Savigny preserves...… read more
Still Rosé
Rosé from Pinot Noir can range from very light, fresh and pale blush in colour to more structured, complex and darker coloured wines, though it is typically the former. With flavours of fresh red fruits like strawberry, raspberry and watermelon with floral and sometimes herbal notes, it’s a great wine to drink on its own in the sunshine or paired with a creamy cheese or seafood. Sharpham Rosé from Devon, England, is a great way to explore this style.
Sharpham Pinot Rosé 2022, Devon
£21.00
A perfect English rosé for a summers afternoon. Currently celebrating 40 years of winemaking from their base in Totnes, Devon, head winemaker Duncan Schwab and...… read more
Sparkling
Pinot Noir is one of the ‘holy trinity’ of grapes that make the traditional Champagne blend alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, contributing body, structure and red fruit flavours. Blanc de Noirs (meaning white from blacks) is the name given to white wines made solely from red grapes (predominantly in sparkling wine production).
Blanc de noirs wines often have more body and richer flavours compared to other sparkling wines, with notes of red berries, brioche and sometimes subtle spice. Although Champagne is the most famous region for Blanc de Noirs it’s also made in other areas of France. This Crémant from Famille Gueguen is made in their vineyards around Chablis and is a real hidden gem.
Famille Gueguen, Crémant de Bourgogne, Blanc de Noirs Brut NV
£26.50
This is a fabulous Crémant from Domaine Gueguen made using Pinot Noir only and gives notes of red apple, bramble fruits and lovely ripe flavours....… read more
Challenging to grow, hugely diverse, and offering a wide variety of wine styles to enjoy. Browse our full range of Pinot Noir wines.
