Pinot Noir 101 - The Basics

If Chardonnay is the wine-makers delight that can be grown all over the world, Pinot Noir is the fickle younger sister who just can't come out from under that shadow. Commonly referred to as the "heartbreak grape" it's picky about where it grows and has a very thin skin (also probably like your younger sister).

The thin skin is important because it creates a red wine that is lower in tannin. Tannins give you the sensation that your mouth is drying out and are imparted in the wine from the skins, seeds and stems. (White wine is pressed out and has little contact with the skins, that's why you don't get tannins in white wine). It's typically high in acidity (which makes your mouth water) and thus you really experience all the flavor of the fruit, which is usually described as red fruit - strawberry, cherry, raspberry.

With outstanding production coming from Burgundy - often noted to be some of the best wine in the WORLD - it also grows successfully in the western US, Chile, Australia and New Zealand, among other places.

Like all grapes, follow the sun to help you understand how a bottle might taste based on where it's from. As you get to those warmer climates like California and Australia, expect a "jammier" wine, more of cooked fruit and blackberry or cassis as opposed to bright, fresh strawberries.

It's usually oaked, and you'll pick up clove and smoke as a result of that oaking. Often times it's not put into new oak - they use old barrels that have been used before to soften the oak flavor. And we're thankful for this, because it lets this most delicate grape shine!

There's a perception that it's hard to find a good value Pinot Noir, and it's kind of true. If you want a beautiful Burgundy you're going to pay for it, but there are more budget-friendly producers in new world wines, and Oregon really shines. A climate similar to France, it produces some top-notch Pinot Noirs.

With a few exceptions, you don't need to age Pinot Noir - so aim for a vintage within the last couple years and pop it into the fridge 20 minutes before you open the bottle. You'll be in heaven, and it will take the edge off listening to your little sister ramble.