The Ideal Regions for Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the most sought-after wines by consumers and wine experts alike. It is typically pale in colour and the flavours are subtle. The top notes are cranberry, cherry, and raspberry. Some of the duller notes include vanilla, clove, licorice, mushroom, wet leaves, tobacco, cola and caramel. It is a wine that pairs with most foods beautifully, making it a great wine to choose when everyone is eating different meals. Pinot Noir grapes like to grow in long springs or autumns but because of this it can easily rot and freeze. However, it seems that growing this acidic wine is worth it as there are currently 290,000 acres of this grape worldwide.

Depending on where the Pinot Noir is grown the flavour can vary a lot. From France, you might find your wine will have more earthy flavours with higher acidity whereas if you try the Pinot Noir from California it seems to have more fruity flavours and a fuller flavour. Aging the wine in oak barrels seems to have an effect, and the longer the wine ages in oak barrels the more likely it will develop a vanilla taste, compared to barely aged wines which are more tart in flavour.

In Germany Pinot Noir grapes are planted, grown and made in a place called the Nahe. We recommend drinking a glass of this Pinot Noir when the clouds are just beginning to clear and the sun is just starting to shine through. The warmer climate really has an effect on how the wine tastes, the Pinot Noir from this region tends to have earthy, fruity, rich plum like flavours. The Pinot Noir from Germany usually starts at around $13 so it’s quite friendly on your wallet.

Argentina has a brand new area that grows Pinot Noir and it’s located in Patagonia, right near the Rio Negro river. Grapes are seeded and grown in this warmer area, which is quite rare for Pinot Noir wines. Maybe it’s the sun and the beautiful climate in Argentina, whatever it is, the flavours of this Pinot Noir give back a lot of black cherry flavours and a kick of spice. You can usually find them from around $15 – $20.

Pinot Noir from Northern Italy is also commonly referred to as Pinot Nero and has some similarities to the Pinot Noir produced in France. The value of this wine is quite good, you can find a decent wine that ranges from $20 and up. If you want to enjoy a nicer wine you can find a good quality Pinot Noir from this region that starts at around $70. The main flavours are the earthy undertones, like France’s Pinot Noir, just a bit deeper, richer and darker.

Burgundy, France is known as the cultivation place that started Pinot Noir, so no wonder Pinot from this region is in such high demand. If you are a lover of American wine, really appreciating and enjoying Pinot Noir from France might be a bit harder for you, but it really is worth it. Wines from this region have many lovely sour cherry and plenty of deep earthy flavours that really compliment a rainy day inside. You can find a decent bottle of Pinot Noir from this region that start at around $30.

Pinot Noir from California has gotten to be quite popular over the last few years. It’s a surprisingly hot area to grow Pinot Noir; maybe that’s what makes the flavours quite robust and are most enjoyed on a cold spring day. The wine here tends to be aged longer in oak barrels so almost always it will have a vanilla like flavour. The most prominent notes in a Pinot Noir from California are definitely the black cherry and raspberry flavours. It is quite popular so don’t expect to find anything decent under $30.

New Zealand produces the darkest coloured Pinot Noirs and is usually much stronger than an average bottle from other regions. Being so much stronger you should enjoy this bottle on a cold winter night to keep you warm. The flavours in this Pinot Noir are unlike any others, the prominent notes are cherry, spice and cola and a decent bottle will usually set you back around $25.

Oregon produces a wonderfully simple Pinot Noir; it is light and fruity and not heavy at all. There is a large range of Pinot Noir available in Oregon, but a decent bottle that you can enjoy on a warm spring day will cost you about $20. The flavours are fruity and easy, making it a delicious drink.

You can find a whole range of Pinot Noirs ranging anywhere from $15 and up, so why not bring one to a dinner party or enjoy a glass at home and give this wine a try. You can find a local bottle store, or visit a vineyard if there is one near you; you can also find a range of Pinot Noirs online and most stores will deliver straight to your door.