- Last updated on February 1, 2023
This is our Rodney Strong Pinot Noir review.
California is known for its Pinot Noir, as they were the first winemakers to bring the varietal to America.
Are you after a light, refreshing and silky Pinot Noir?
This fruity light body Pinot Noir will win you over with its red fruit aromas and flavors and it will pair well with a vast variety of dishes, including fish.
Find below our Rodney Strong Pinot Noir full review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Review
- Brand: Rodney Strong
- Grape Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Region: United States, California
- Tasting Notes: Dark Cherry & Cranberries fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Burgundy / 55-64 °F (13-18 °C) / Don’t decant
- Storage: Up to 3 years
- Price Range: ~$20
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir review: What's its color?
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir wine has a ruby color with thick falling legs.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
What does Rodney Strong Pinot Noir taste like?
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir is entirely made from Pinot Noir grapes.
Is Rodney Strong Pinot Noir sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Rodney Strong Pinot Noir wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir review: Which food pairs well with it?
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir is a very versatile wine when it comes down to food pairings.
We find it pairs well with earthy flavors.
Classic appetizers are mushroom pizza, mushroom agnolotti, and caramelized cauliflower to name some.
Being a light Pinot Noir it pairs well with grilled fish like grilled salmon and swordfish.
Meat wise you have a wide selection here from duck, roasted chicken, pork, rabbit, and beef bourguignon for example.
If you are a cheese lover our recommendations for you are Taleggio (wash-rind), Comte, Cheddar (semi-hard) or Pecorino (hard).
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir review: What's its alcohol content?
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir wine’s alcohol content is 14.5%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Rodney Strong Pinot Noir wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have a higher calories per glass than a wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per grams vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per grams of carbs, which include sugar.
What is Rodney Strong?
Here is an extract from the Rodney Strong website itself:
“We are dedicated to crafting Sonoma County wines that reflect our passion and creativity.
Our goal is to be one of California’s most respected wine companies, known for the consistent high quality of our wines, our exceptional people and our unwavering integrity.“
Conclusion
California is known for its Pinot Noir, as they were the first winemakers to bring the varietal to America.
Rodney Strong is a light, refreshing, and silky Pinot Noir. It is definitely a good bottle although a bit pricey.
Its silkiness, light plus body, and medium plus acidity with flavors of red fruits will complement many dishes from veggie, pasta, a vast variety of red meats, and our beloved cheeses.
Try it with caramelized cauliflower, grilled salmon, or Pecorino cheese and it’ll be a delight. At least it was for me!
If you have never tried it, I’m not entirely sure what are you still waiting for?
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Pinot Noir.
What are the Pinot Noir Styles?
Pinot Noir taste profile will vary from region to region and the climate. Some examples are:
- France – Burgundy (cool): red fruit and subtle oak aromas, mushroom and forest floor.
- US:
- California (warm): ripe red fruit and intense vanilla flavors. The finest examples develop mushroom and forest floor flavors.
- Oregon (cool): the best wines are similar to the French types with more intense red fruit flavors.
- California (warm): ripe red fruit and intense vanilla flavors. The finest examples develop mushroom and forest floor flavors.
- Australia – Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula (cool): can vary from light to medium with ripe red fruit flavors. They are generally higher in tannins.
- Italy – Northern part (cool): like the French style with tertiary flavors of tobacco.
- New Zealand (cool): rich in red fruit flavors up to dark plum, medium to full body, medium-low tannins with chocolate and spicy notes.
Where does Pinot Noir grow best?
Pinot Noir gives its best in a cool to moderate climate. The grape has thin skin and it’s quite delicate.
When grown in a warm climate it can lose its freshness and taste too cooked from excessive ripening of the grapes. Despite that, it’s cultivated around the world.
When is the perfect time to drink Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir it’s generally a common choice for the holiday season, given its food pairing options like duck, turkey, and roasted chicken.
In reality, you can have Pinot Noir all year long. The light body version makes it enjoyable even during summer.
