Pinot Noir is one of the most elegant and popular red wines in the world, ranging in style from light and fruit forward to robust and earthy. One of the reasons this red wine variety is so special is because of its ability to transform depending on where it’s grown and how it’s made.
From the warmer regions of California to the cooler regions of Oregon and France, Pinot Noir thrives in places where the growing season is extended. The Pinot Noir grape loves areas that have cool mornings and evenings, which helps to retain acidity and freshness. Let’s explore some of the famous Pinot Noir growing regions of the world and what makes them unique.
California Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, California may be one of the coolest and foggiest wine growing regions of California, which is absolutely perfect for the cool climate loving Pinot Noir. Morning fog and cool breezes that sweep through the vineyards lengthen the growing season, while ample sunlight in the afternoon creates bold and flavorful wines. The Pinot Noir in this region tends to be bigger, more lush and more fruit-forward than those made in France and Oregon.
Our Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Lot 75, has been one of our most popular reserve wines for years. Alluringly scented with aromas of juicy black cherries and cocoa backed by lurking notes of cedar and violets, Lot 75 is a true crowd pleaser. The wine's flavors are boldly expressive and distinctly stacked upon one another.
In comparison, Lot 227 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir offers a different yet equally captivating profile. This region benefits from cooler coastal influences, allowing for a longer time on the vine, which enhances the wine's complexity. While Lot 227 showcases a refined elegance with bright acidity and flavors of cherry and red fruit, it maintains the characteristic fruit-forward nature of California Pinot Noir, making it a delightful counterpart to the richer Russian River Valley style. Both wines highlight the incredible diversity of California Pinot Noir, each bringing its unique expression to your glass.
Oregon Pinot Noir
In Willamette Valley, Oregon you also have an extended growing season thanks to morning fog that rolls in off the Pacific Ocean and settles in the valley. The cool and cloudy Oregon climate means that Pinot Noir is perfectly at home here, more Burgundian in style than its California counterpart, resulting in fresh, fruit forward wines with an earthy character. Here the rocky soil on south facing slopes provides excellent drainage for the finicky Pinot Noir grapevines.
The Pinot Noir in Willamette Valley tends to be a little lighter in color and texture, and is usually more tart than its counterparts in California.
Our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Lot 137, is bright ruby red in color with aromas of fresh raspberries and strawberries rising above a fragrant mix of rhubarb, violets, clove and cedar. The wine is beautifully balanced and energetic with a smooth, refreshing finish.
French Pinot Noir
Some may say there is no truer expression of Pinot Noir than the Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France. Vines are planted on slopes to protect from spring frosts which can be detrimental to the vineyards here. With short summers and cool winters, growing grapes can be quite the challenge in Burgundy. The wines here have a distinct minerality due to the free draining limestone soils in which grapevines thrive.
Lot 160 Bourgogne Rouge is the perfect example of Burgundian Pinot Noir at its finest. Produced from a 5th generation winemaker, the wine is fragrant with red berry and floral aromas followed by a delicate but long finish. Fresh red cherries and plums with notes of dried herbs linger on the palate expressing a true terroir-driven wine.
While Burgundy is the premier and most well-known region for Pinot Noir in France, there are other areas that great Pinot Noir is made. One such place is in Sancerre, in France’s Loire Valley. While most famous for Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir grapes love the limestone and clay soils of Sancerre. The vineyards are on south facing slopes where they receive maximum sunshine in this cooler climate to allow for full ripening.
In comparison to Pinot Noir from Burgundy, the Pinot Noir wines from Sancerre tend to be a little more racy, with higher acidity and more tart fruit, due to the cooler climate.
Lot 221 Sancerre Pinot Noir is a fresh and vibrant Pinot Noir with bright tart cherry aromas. Lingering notes of earth and flower petals mix with subtle hints of white pepper and raspberries on the finish.
Whether you’re sitting by your fireplace on a cool autumn evening or lounging on your deck in the late afternoon summer sun, a slightly chilled Pinot Noir from one of these magnificent areas will surely make your day.
Check out the article Chillable Reds: Yes, You Should Chill Your Red Wine for recommendations on how to best chill these delicious Pinot Noirs. Cheers!
This article was written by 90+ Cellars International Wine Buyer, Alex Shaughnessy.