- Last updated on May 31, 2021
Pinot Noir is the perfect entry-level red wine. The red fruit is the primary flavor and their intensity and types vary depending on the producer and the region.
When young, Pinot Noir is fruity, refreshing, and easy to drink thanks to its low tannins and medium-light body. As it matures in the bottle, and only the finest bottle achieves this, it evolves into more complex flavors. You’ll find the finest bottles in the Burgundy region in France.
Have you ever found yourself staring at many Pinot Noir bottles wondering which one you would like best? Keep reading and you’ll find the answer and much more!
I’ve organized the content below in small sections to make it easy to read. I must confess I’m quite happy with the research and work done. As always wine tasting was my favorite part!😋
Use the table of content below to jump straight to the section. In this article you’ll learn more about:
Keep reading to become a Pinot Noir expert!
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir Overview
Grape
Pinot Noir
ABV
11.5%–15%
Main Regions
France: Burgundy
Other Regions
Australia
Chile
Italy: Northern Italy
Germany
South Africa
New Zealand
USA: California, Oregon
Grape
Pinot Noir
ABV
11.5%–15%
Main Regions
France: Burgundy
Other Regions
Australia
Chile
Italy: Northern Italy
Germany
South Africa
New Zealand
USA: California, Oregon
Pinot Noir Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Pinot Noir.
Color
Pale to Medium Garnet
Nose
Earthy, Herbal Notes
Red berry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Cherry
Spice
Leather
Palate
Red Fruit
Vanilla, Truffle,
Tobacco
Dry to Off-Dry
Medium-High Acidity
Medium-Low Tannins
Medium-Full Body
Color
Pale to Medium Garnet
Nose
Earthy, Herbal Notes
Red berry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Cherry
Spice
Leather
Palate
Red Fruit
Vanilla, Truffle,
Tobacco
Dry to Off-Dry
Medium-High Acidity
Medium-Low Tannins
Medium-Full Body
Pinot Noir Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Pinot Noir.
Appetitizer
Mushrooms Agnolotti,
Caramelized Cauliflower,
Casserole of Red Cabbage & Apples
Meat
Duck
Roasted Chicken
Pork
Rabbit
Beef Bourguignon
Fish
Grilled Salmon
Grilled Swordfish
Cheese
Wash-Rind (Taleggio),
Medium-Firm (Comte),
Semi-Hard (Ceddar),
Hard (Pecorino)
Appetitizer
Mushrooms Agnolotti,
Caramelized Cauliflower,
Casserole of Red Cabbage & Apples
Meat
Duck
Roasted Chicken
Pork
Rabbit
Beef Bourguignon
Fish
Grilled Salmon
Grilled Swordfish
Cheese
Wash-Rind (Taleggio),
Medium-Firm (Comte),
Semi-Hard (Ceddar),
Hard (Pecorino)
Serve and Store Pinot Noir
Decant
30 mins
Glass
Burgundy
Serve at
55 - 64 °F
13 - 18 °C
Store for
Up to 5 years
10+ years finest bottles only
Decant
30 mins
Glass
Burgundy
Serve at
55 - 64 °F
13 - 18 °C
Store for
Up to 5 years
10+ years finest bottles only
Useful Insight
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.
A little bit of Pinot Noir history
Pinot Noir is a very ancient grape, possibly from the 1st century AD, from the Burgundy region in France. Today the most expensive and finest bottles of Pinot Noir are from this area.
What does Pinot Noir mean?
“Pinot” is a French word that derives from “pin”, i.e. pine tree, given the resemblance between the bunch of grapes and the pine cone.
“Noir” is a French word that means “blank” in English and comes from the dark skin of the grape.
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.
Some curiosities about Pinot Noir
- The 18th of August is Pinot Noir Day.
- Pinot Noir is a delicate grape and as such it’s prone to rot and diseases which will affect the production. This has a direct impact on its price and that’s why Pinot Noir is rarely inexpensive.
- Pinot Noir has delicate flavors and to preserve them, oak maturations generally happen in large and/or older barrels. This reduces the surface of contact and avoids overwhelming flavors.
- Pinot Noir grape is used to produce white, red, rosé, and sparkling wine! Blanc de Noirs Champagne it’s a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier [1].
What’s Pinot Noir's typical price range?
- Pinot Noir it’s rarely an inexpensive wine. The most expensive bottles are from France and most precisely from the Côte-d’Or [2]. Price can easily be over $3000 a bottle.
- For other regions, the average price will be around $10-$30. You can find some outstanding Pinot Noir examples from Oregon and New Zealand.
What to do next?
Be sure to serve your Pinot Noir at the right temperature. Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro! Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or the other red wines?
