What To Drink This Pinot Noir Day 2021

Did you know Pinot Noir is the 10th most planted grape variety in the world? Much of this is thanks to one of France's prime wine region of Burgundy, which produces mostly Pinot Noir reds. It’s a versatile food pairing wine that goes well with all sorts of dishes, and does especially well with Asian cuisine  — think sushi, Shanghainese xiao long bao, games or a range of fish dishes.

On 18 August, a number of wine-loving countries around the world celebrate National Pinot Noir Day, World of Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Summit and other exploratory journey uncovering this elegant varietal.

Pinot Noir wine also goes against some of the stereotypical characteristics of red wines. For example, it’s ideal to chill Pinot Noir to a temperature around 12 or 13 degrees. The wine is also light and pale, and generally contain fewer tannins than other reds. It usually has subtle fruity flavours like cherry, cranberry and raspberry, combined with other notes like cola, caramel, liquorice, vanilla, and clove.

While Pinot Noir is considered a dry wine, it can have differing levels of sweetness, degree of ripeness, and alcohol due to the different techniques used. Today, there is an estimated 120,000 hectares or more of Pinot Noir cultivated over the world. It takes a particular climate to be able to grow these uniquely dark and dense grapes - they’re fragile and susceptible to disease and also difficult to ripen evenly. Besides the Burgundy region of France, there is the Sonoma County in the United States, the Baden and Mosel regions of Germany, and the Penedes and Ronda regions in the south of Spain, among many others.

Pinot Noir by country

The location of the vineyard plays a significant role in the taste, due to different ambient temperatures, hours of sunshine, soils, picking dates, microclimates and rootstock. Here are a few notes regarding how the taste of Pinot Noir can differ from country and region:

Ronda, Spain

Bodegas Cortijo Los Aguilares Pinot Noir 2018 (Now $83)

Ronda wines are from a mountainous terroir of Ronda, and also boasts the most elevated organic vineyards of Europe, at an altitude of between 750 and 1000 metres. Try Cortijo Los Aguilares's classic organic Pinot Noir that's bright cherry with garnet edge. This flowery wine has a very complete and mature bouquet and hints of forest red fruits. In the mouth, the wine is complex with subtle and elegant tannins, confident acidity, and a long finish.

Sonoma, California

Buena Vista Carneros Pinot Noir 2018 (Now $56, U.P. $67)

In California, Pinot Noir is often a few degrees higher in alcohol than you find in France. The increased alcohol levels producers a fleshier, ripe, darker, more concentrated wine, than you find in its European counterparts, with a side of vanilla, clove, cola and caramel. The grape has also enjoyed a string of successes in Oregon and Washington State. Sonoma County's Buena Vista, which is California first premium winery, does the excellent Pinot Noir 2018.

Saint-Romain, Burgundy, France

Domaine Alain Gras Saint Romain Rouge 2016 (Now $86)

Saint Romain is a small appellation in Burgundy, with only 100 hectares of vineyards, where excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are produced. Domaine Alain Gras, located on a beautiful hill between Meursault and Pommard, has an excellent Rouge 2016 that's a bright and deep red colour enlightened with notes of violet. Expect an expressive nose with aromas of red fruit and cherries, and only a discrete touch of oak. The palate shows supple tannins, with good fruit and freshness.

Côte-d'Or, Burgundy, France

Domaine D'Ardhuy Aloxe Corton Les Boutieres Aux Valozieres Rouge 2017 (Now $85)

Wines from the Aloxe Corton appellation are among the most tannic wines in Burgundy, and are therefore perfect for ageing. If you are able to leave it aside for a few years, you will be absolutely thrilled with it. It is a highly complex Pinot Noir with aromas of black fruit, underwood and spices. Domaine D'Ardhuy's Aloxe Corton Les Boutieres Aux Valozieres Rouge 2017 is a truly beautiful bottle for any fan of complex Burgundy reds.

Penedès, Spain

GRAMONA BRU Pinot Noir 2017 (Now $87)

Spain makes many great wines, from indigenous to international varieties, but Pinot Noir is usually not usually considered to be one of them. So the ones that actually tend to stand out. The vast majority of Pinot Noir is grown in Catalonia, where it is used in still wines and Cava. One such winery is Gramona, which makes a very pleasant GRAMONA BRU Pinot Noir 2017 with lively acidity.

Oregon, USA

Illahe Vineyards Bon Sauvage Pinot Noir 2019 (Now $84)

Home to more than 500 wineries, the Willamette Valley in Oregon is known for its world-class Pinot Noir. One such winery, Illahe Vineyards uses only 100% estate grown grapes. Their Bon Sauvage Pinot Noir 2019 is a barrel selection of owners Brad and Nathan's favourite barrels in the cellar - a little more earth- and spice-driven in character. This pinot is 100% native fermentation and macerated for 24 days before being pressed in wooden basket press. It then ages for 16 months in barrel before bottling.

Bannockburn, New Zealand

Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir 2019 (Now $51, U.P. $60) 

New Zealand has some of the best examples of Pinot Noir that are grown in cooler conditions. As New Zealand's largest red wine variety, the Pinot Noir here is typically low in colour pigmentation, has a perfumed nose and shows red fruit such as cherry, raspberry and blood plum flavours balanced by smooth tannins. These age well and develop complex truffle, game and earthy characters as they get older.

Mosel, Germany

Weingut Huls Spatburgunder Estate Pinot Noir 2017 (Now $72)

The largest producer of Pinot Noir after France and the US, the wine is commonly called Spätburgunder in Germany. The wines from the Baden, Pfalz, and the Nahe are all worth finding and drinking - generally, German Pinot Noir features a solid mix of earthiness and raspberry and cherry aromas. Red wine, especially Pinot Noir production has also increased in the Mosel, which results in brilliant wines like the Weingut Huls Spatburgunder Estate Pinot Noir 2017 ($72).

Shop for Pinot Noir Online

If you’re looking for the perfect Pinot Noir to serve at your next get-together, we have a large selection available, most ranging from $50 to $150. Click this link to shop now!