Pinot Noir is, by far, the most romanticized red wine out there. There is just no other grape that brings out similar emotions among its enthusiasts. You won’t believe how many festivals are thrown every year to honour and praise the grape. Moreover, there is an entire movie that’s dedicated entirely to Pinot Noir, you've probably heard of it, "Sideways" and you should definitely check it out!
One of the main reasons that Pinot Noir grape evokes such devotion is simply because it’s hard to grow. As a result, finding a good bottle of Pinot Noir is often a tedious task. That’s why finding the “right” bottle of this dry, red wine becomes a passion and sometimes even an obsession.
Born in the Burgundy region of France, Pinot Noir has quickly become the favourite of many locals, before spreading all over France, Europe and into the new world. Despite being grown across the globe, it’s a common belief that the best Pinot Noir is still produced in the same Burgundy region where it’s been born. Fun fact ... a lot of French winemakers call it red Burgundy instead of Pinot Noir, after the place where it’s made.
The most notable flavours of the Burgundy wines you’ll likely notice are of ripe red berries, black cherries and mushrooms. The only drawback of these wines was often the price. That’s one of the reasons winemakers all over the world have been trying to grow the grape. Luckily, these days, one can find wonderful yet affordable Pinot Noir wine from Oregon, California, Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Surprisingly, they often tend to be richer in flavour and taste fruitier than the original red Burgundies from France.
The wine goes well on every occasion, even to a big group of people. As a result, it’s one of the safest red wines out there, along with Merlot. Pinot Noir is an excellent fit for any meal, as it pairs well with various types of food. Unlike Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s light enough in alcohol to be consumed on its own. So enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir sooner than later!