Domenico Winery + Osteria

If wine were a celebrity then Pinot Noir would definitely be an A-list actor. This red wine has undoubtable global fame for a reason. The grape itself produces amazing wines, with a fascinating history and identity to match. It’s no wonder Pinot Noir has become a main grape in many global wine regions outside Pinot’s respective Burgundian birthplace. One of those places, as we know well, is California.

There is so much to know (and love) about Pinot Noir. Let’s dive right into all the fascinating facts about this incredible wine!

What exactly is Pinot Noir?

Pinot Noir is a French grape prized for producing very elegant wines. Its name is comes from the French word for ‘pine,’ aka Pinot. This referred to the cone-shaped cluster that Pinot Noir grapes form when fully ripe.

With Pinot though, beauty is pain. By that we mean, Pinot create luxurious wines, but gives winemakers a run for their money in the vineyards. This may seem surprising, since Pinot is popularly grown outside of France. Yet, Pinot is notoriously difficult to grow. It has very thin skins, making it super susceptible to rot, disease, and even birds who find themselves picking on grapes in the vineyards.

From France to California

If the name didn’t give it away already, Pinot Noir is a French varietal. It hails from one specific region – Burgundy. There, it is the only red grape grown, due to centuries-long traditions. History tells us that Pinot has been around since Roman times, roughly the first century AD, where it was cultivated in – yes – Burgundy. Over the years, monks would tend to the Pinot Noir vines and make incredible winemaking achievements. When the land was no longer owned by the Church in the 17th century, family owned wineries slowly emerged – the beginning of the esteemed Burgundian wines the world applauds today.

This is all precisely why the wine traditions are so strong in Burgundy. You even feel it on the bottles. You’ll never see a bottle that says Pinot Noir. That’s because Pinot is one of the only two main grapes grown in the area, with the other being Chardonnay.

So, how did Pinot Noir make its way to a place like California? With the rise in viticulture in the New World, there was interest in planting noble grapes in vineyards (as noble is not only the best but also the very marketable.) And, you guessed it – Pinot Noir is one of those 6 historical noble grapes.

Funny enough, it was most

 likely a Frenchman who brought Pinot first to California in the mid-1800s. It’s not a coincidence at all, though. There are soils and microclimates very similar to that of Burgundy, perfect for Pinot Noir. The Russian River Valley, Mendocino, and even the Santa Cruz Mountains

 are all AVAs (American Viticulture Areas) that boast growing conditions that supply Pinot with what it needs to create a delicious wine.

Although Pinot did arrive in the U.S. in the 19th century, it wasn’t until the 1930s that this regal grape began to find its home in more vineyard sites. It took roughly 70 years for  American wine drinkers to pay attention to American Pinot. We can thank the movie “Sideways”

 for that. Flash-forward to today, the United States is the second-largest producer of Pinot, just behind France!

Other Places Pinot Grows

Various other wine regions have been smitten by the quality and nobility of Pinot. A prime example is California’s Northern neighbor – Oregon. This state is home to impressive wine regions, many possessing ideal microclimates, and soils for Pinot. If we head down under, you’ll find thought-provoking Pinot Noir grown in Australia and New Zealand as well.

Back in the Old World, France’s neighbors have also taken a liking to Pinot. In Germany, you can find spätburgunder (Pinot Noir in German) all over the country. Germany is actually the 3rd largest producer of Pinot. The wine is made mostly in Germany’s southern wine regions like Ahr and Baden.

Even Italy produces Pinot. In Northern Italy, you Pinot Nero grows in high-altitude vineyard sites in regions like Alto Adige, the Veneto, or even Tuscany. These wines are very light-bodied and fresh.

How does Pinot Noir taste?

Pinot Noir gains a lot of attention for its naturally graceful character and wonderfully refreshing acidity. This wine typically has remarkable red fruit flavors, like cranberry, cherry, and red berries. Pinot is also known for its earthy character, with alluring notes of forest floor (a common wine tasting descriptor that is reminiscent of fresh earth and damp leaves.)

Of course, like most other grapes, how Pinot Noir tastes depends on where it grows and the winemaking style. In cooler climates, like Burgundy or Oregon, Pinot Noir tends to be lighter, brighter, and more earthy, especially when young. These wines usually do not undergo much or any new oak aging, meaning these wines are not very spice driven.

On the other hand, in warmer growing areas like in California, Pinot Noir can be slightly larger in body and fruit-driven. These Pinots often do undergo aging in new oak, imparting more spice flavors to the final wine.

Pairing Pinot Noir

Pinot may be red wine. But, that doesn’t mean it’s the best pairing for steak. Since Pinot is lighter in body and in tannin, it goes better with more easy-going dishes.

Light, more earthy styles of Pinot are ideally paired with roasted vegetables, braised white meats, or fattier fishes (yes, you can pair certain red wines with fish!) If you’re savoring a warmer, more robust Pinot, then you can go the hardier route. Try pairing a fruity Pinot with stewed meats or duck confit.

Are you a lover of Pinot Noir? We are too. We hope this article inspires you to pick up your favorite Pinot at the store. If you’re looking for something new, try out Domenico’s 2018 Pinot Noir from the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s simply spectacular!