Pinot Noir is a very special red wine. It is different than most other reds, as it is lighter in body, lush and soft with a silky texture. Pinot Noir is also far less tannic than most other reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon. Of all the classic wine grapes, Pinot Noir is the most difficult to make into wine, as it is very sensitive to climate changes. It has a wide range of flavors, depending upon where the grapes are grown. The soil and the climate (sometimes referred to as “terroir”) are extremely important in the production of high quality Pinot Noir. The region where the grapes are grown determines the various characteristics of the wine. For example, a Pinot from Oregon is much lighter in body than one produced in California.

Best Regions

• Anderson Valley (Mendocino County)
• Burgundy (France)
• Carneros (Napa and Sonoma Counties, California)
• Russian River Valley (Sonoma, California)
• Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey, California)
• Rita Hills (Santa Barbara, California)
• Sonoma Coast (California)
• Willamette Valley (Oregon)

How to Serve

Pinot Noir is best served at about 60°. From room temperature, you should place the bottle in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, or place in a bucket of ice water up to the bottle’s neck for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Wine glasses should have a thin rim so that the wine glides over it easily. The wine glass should only be filled halfway or less. Using a very large wine glass works best.

Flavors

Black cherries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, currants, plums, spice, herbs, chocolate and cedar.

Food Pairing

• Cheese (Brie, Camembert, Gruyere and Swiss)
• Chicken and Turkey
• Fish (fully-flavored such as Salmon and Tuna)
• Ham and Pork
• Veal

Gold Medal Winners:

Baileyana Pinot Noir (2016), Firepeak, SIP Certified Sustainable, Edna Valley, CA, $30

Wine Competitions:  Los Angeles International, San Francisco Chronicle (WineJudging.com)

D & L Carinalli Vineyards Pinot Noir (2015), Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled, Russian River Valley, CA, $25

Wine Competitions:  Dan Berger’s International, North of the Gate, San Francisco Chronicle (WineJudging.com)

Davis Bynum Winery Pinot Noir (2015), Jane’s Vineyard, Russian River Valley, CA, $35

Wine Competitions: Dan Berger’s International, San Francisco Chronicle (WineJudging.com)

Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir (2014), Monterey County, CA, $17

Wine Competitions:  Los Angeles International, San Francisco Chronicle (WineJudging.com)

Halleck Vineyard Pinot Noir (2014), Hillside Cuvee, Sonoma Coast, CA, $59

Wine Competitions:  Los Angeles International, San Francisco Chronicle (WineJudging.com)

Handley Cellars Pinot Noir (2014), Helluva Vineyard, Anderson Valley, CA, $42

Wine Competitions:  North of the Gate, San Francisco Chronicle (WineJudging.com)

Pacific Heights Pinot Noir (2015), Sonoma Coast, CA, $25

Wine Competitions:  Dan Berger’s International, San Francisco Chronicle (WineJudging.com)

Ron Rubin Pinot Noir (2015), Russian River Valley, CA, $25

Wine Competitions:  Dan Berger’s International, North of the Gate

Talbott Pinot Noir (2015), Logan, Monterey, CA, $28

Wine Competitions: Dan Berger’s International, San Francisco Chronicle (Wine Judging.com)

Tondre Pinot Noir (2014), Tondre Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands, $40

Wine Competitions:  Los Angeles International, San Francisco Chronicle (WineJudging.com)

Z. Alexander Brown Pinot Noir (2015), Uncaged, Monterey County/Napa County/Sonoma County, $20

Wine Competitions: Los Angeles International, San Francisco Chronicle (WineJudging.com)