Pinot Noir conjures up images of all that is wonderful about
wine.
The 3 associations that always spring to mind are:
The Bourgogne, Central Otago and Champagne!
Although there are other fantastic regions producing Noir –
who would have thought that some of the best Pinot Noir could be found in
Romania – it is historically chiefly associated with Burgundy.
A cooler climate grape-the name comes from the French for
pine and black-pine alluding to the grapes having tightly clustered pine-cone shaped
bunches of fruit. These tightly clustered bunches of grapes do make it
susceptible to disease and rot and it is notoriously a labour of love to produce
wine.
Pinot Noir wines tend to be lighter bodied due to the grape’s
thin skin and young varietals have red fruit aromas of cherries, raspberries
and strawberries and are fantastic served slightly chilled. As they age, they
become softer and more autumnal in flavour and aroma with some light tannins
developing.
It is the most planted varietal in sparkling wine production
in Champagne and also makes a fabulous still rose wine
Here are a few favourites from our selection:
Red
Nautilus Pinot Noir 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand
£22.95
Wild raspberries, plums and spice with gentle tannins to
give a long, warm finish
Roger & Didier Rambault Sancerre Rouge 2018,
Loire, France £17.75
Perfectly balanced and delicately flavoured soft red with
fragrant raspberry fruit
Jean Marie Berthier L’Instant Pinot Noir 2020,
Loire, France £10.75
Cherries, blackberries and blueberries combine for a velvety
texture in the mouth. A different Pinot Noir but very moreish
Cruchandeau Les Clancons Bourgogne Hautes Cotes du
Nuits Pinot Noir 2016, France £19.95
Earthy nose and autumnal fruit flavours of black and
redcurrants. Pinot Noir at its best
Domaine Henri Delagrange Hautes Cotes du Beaune
Pinot Noir 2019, Burgundy, France £19.75
Violets and morello cherries, raspberries and strawberries all
combine with silky tannins. Very drinkable. Lovely with beef
Calusari Pinot Noir 2020, Cramele Recas, Romania
£7.65
Welcoming autumnal fruit aromas and generous fruit flavours.
Just fantastic value for money and a really lovely wine
Rose
Roger & Didier Rambault Sancerre Rose 2020,
Loire, France £16.45
Light, fragrant, delicate and subtle. An amazing Pinot Noir
rose. Expensive but worth it
Sparkling
Three Choirs Vineyard Classic Cuvee,
Gloucestershire, England £16.95
20% Pinot Noir used in this blend with an appley and
redcurrant taste with delicate bubbles. English Sparkling wine is continuing to
hold its own alongside Champagne and this is no exception
Champagne Apollonis Theodorine Rose Brut, Festigny,
France £25.95
5% of the 25% Pinot Noir in this stunning rose is still Pinot
Noir wine which enhances the structure and flavour. It’s a really lovely Rose Champagne
Champagne Apollonis ETF14 ecceterrafestigny, Festigny,
France £39.95
Only 4% Pinot Noir but we had to include this amazing Champagne
as it is just such fantastic value for money. This ranks alongside likes Louis
Roederer Cristal in terms of taste and quality. Lovely citrus notes and a full in
the mouth flavour. Everyone has a celebration some time and this is perfect. An
exquisite Champagne
