Red Burgundy

Red Burgundy Information
The Pinot Noir grape is responsible for the great red wines of Burgundy in France. Excellent wines are also produced in California and Oregon as the varietal Pinot Noir. Lighter in body and far less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Zinfandel, as well as lighter in color, Pinot Noir is lush and soft with a silky texture. Of all the classic wine grapes, Pinot Noir is the most difficult to make into wine, as it is very sensitive to climate changes and variation in soil composition, which accounts for its typically high cost. Outside of the Burgundy region of France, the Pinot Noir grapes have excelled in both Oregon and California, especially in the Santa Maria Valley and the Santa Ynez Valley in central-southern California. Pinot Noir also grows well in California’s Carneros, Anderson Valley, Sonoma, and the Russian River Valley in northern California. Pinot Noir is a primary component of Champagne (where it is often blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Menier).