In celebration of National Pinot Noir Day, which took place Aug 18, lets discuss the most alluring and most highly-prized grape in the world of wine – Pinot Noir.
This wine was put on a pedestal by consumers and by the wine industry following the release of the comedy-drama “Sideways,” (which came out exactly 20 years ago) when the film’s main character, an obsessive wine snob played by the very talented Paul Giamatti, fell out of love with Merlot and in love with a Pinot Noir wine.
That film, directed by Alexander Payne, played a big role in convincing the world that Pinot Noir was the finest winegrape varietal to ever exist. After the film’s U.S. release, Pinot Noir sales increased 16 percent in the U.S. and in Britain.
Is it true that Pinot Noir is that insanely good? Yes, that is true! Joel L. Fleishman of Vanity Fair has described Pinot Noirs as “the most romantic of wines, with so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, and so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic.”
Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon has called Pinot Noir “sex in a glass.”
Fun facts about Pinot Noir:
Pinot Noir is a red wine grape variety of the species Vitis Vinifera. The name is derived from the French words for pine and black. The word pine alludes to the grape variety having tightly clustered, pinecone shaped bunches of fruit.
The grape varietal is more than 1,000 years older than Cabernet Sauvignon, and its roots, so to speak, can be traced back to the Roman Empire. Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are both color mutations of Pinot Noir. The grape is also considered a “father” of Syrah. According to modern DNA profiling of Chardonnay by UC Davis, the popular white wine grape is a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc (a near-extinct variety) - which could explain why Chardonnay and Pinot Noir often grow well together.
Pinot Noir is grown around the world, mostly in cooler climates, and chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France, especially the Cote de Nuits area. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (DRC) makes some of the most coveted Pinot Noir in the world from this region cost $25,000 per bottle! Willamette Valley (Oregon), California (Carneros, Central Coast, Russian River), New Zealand (Martinborough, Marlborough and Central Otago), Chileand South Africa are also known regions of quality Pinot Noir.
Flavors and aromas of the best Pinot Noir: Pale ruby in color, it opens to you like an old friend with full faith and a symphony of red fruit. It slowly undresses you from all your worries, taking you by a sensual storm introducing you to its seductive layers of raspberry and cherry, earthiness of mushrooms and forest floor, spice and smoke, hibiscus and vanilla. This wine can be so silky and fulfilling!
Difficult to grow and sometimes called the “heartbreak grape,” Pinot Noir is finicky and needs cool nights, plenty of fog, and sunny (but never hot – too much heat can boil the grape) days to properly develop its dark color and distinctive aromas. The grape does not like too much rain, which can cause mold growth, something Pinot Noir is particularly susceptible to.
Pinot Noir has been described as coveted, elegant, subtle, brilliant, haunting, delicate, romantic and seductive. On a special night, dear wine friend, please invite your soulmate to a distinct restaurant of your choice and order a bottle of quality Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Then, pair it with an Asian-spiced duck breast, mushroom risotto or grilled salmon.
This dinner is guaranteed to make you and your significant other very happy. Don’t stop there. Demand a charming sequel at home.
Stay thirsty Calistoga!
