Some of the most prestigious and expensive wines in the world are made from Pinot Noir grapes. These are known to be the oldest varietal cultivated for wine making purposes and were the first to be produced only in Burgundy, France. Nowadays, Pinot Noir grapes are grown all over the world (Australia, Italy, Argentina, California) and make a variety of styles depending on the climate and soil condition specific to each wine-making region.
Pinot Noir grapes are thin-skinned grape varietal able to produce light-coloured, light to medium bodied wine rich in flavours and complexity. During the Pinot Noir wine production, part of the grapes are not crushed and whole grapes are put directly into the fermenting tanks, maximizing the fruit flavour in the wine. Cooler temperatures during the fermentation process lead to a fresher fruit flavour, while warmer and longer fermentation process results in more extracted and better structured wines.
Lighter Pinot Noir wines usually exhibit notes of strawberry and cherry essence. On the other hand, richer and heavier Pinot Noir wines exhibit stewed black cherry essence. Warmer harvest can also exhibit notes of leather and violets essence.
Pinot Noir wines are one of the most expensive ones due to the fact that Pinot Noir grapes are very though to cultivate. Because Pinot Noir grapes have a very thin skin, thus if it gets too humid it can lead to deep ripping, making the grapes not usable. In addition, if harvested too early, grapes can lose their richness or not be ripe enough, both important for the wine quality.
Pinot Noir is a versatile wine that pairs well with a range of foods. From salmon to roasted chicken, from duck to beef or pasta dishes, it goes well even with pizza. Any dish with mushrooms would also perfectly match the flavours of Pinot Noir.
Because Pinot Noir wines are more expansive than other varietals, to find great deals, give preference to Pinot Noir wines produced in Australia . Australia is known to produce stunning Pinots at a fraction of the cost of the famous ‘Red Burgundies of France’. For example, Yarra Valley wine region, located east of Melbourne is known for its Pinot Noir. Or you can try Pinot Noir wines produced in Adelaide Hills and Geelong wine regions. Visit local or online wine retailers to find good deals on Australian Pinot Noir wines.