Celebrate International Pinot Noir Day

It's International Pinot Noir Day, and we're raising a glass with our 2020 Companion Pinot Noir, the perfect bottle to celebrate one of the world's most beloved red wines.

Pinot Noir is known for its light body, bright fruit flavors, and approachable style, making it a favorite for both newcomers and longtime wine enthusiasts. However, those who are already winos love this wine as well, since it pairs well with lots of food and is highly versatile. This makes Pinot Noir great for all seasons and weather; it is approachable and intriguing, with layers of texture, taste, and aroma.

Why Pinot Noir?

Pinot Noir is often described as one of the most challenging grapes to grow and vinify. Every single detail from the vineyard to the cellar can influence the wine’s final character, which makes Pinot Noir as much an art as it is a science. These grapes have a thinner skin than most grapes, making it easier to sustain damage from weather, bugs, and diseases, so they have to be watched more carefully during growing season. Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties and is mostly associated with Burgundy, France. Because Pinot Noir is so sensitive to its environment, wines made from this grape can vary greatly depending on where they're grown and how they're crafted. This makes Pinot Noir especially rewarding.

Climate and the terroir are very important factors when it comes to the flavor profile. Excessive heat can cause Pinot Noir grapes to lose their signature acidity and elegance, while cool, damp conditions may increase the risk of disease or produce greener, less ripe flavors. The soil is important as it thrives in limestone and clay soils on a sloped vineyard with optimal sun exposure and allows cold air to drain away from the vines.

Why Pinot Noir Is One of the Most Food-Friendly Wines

Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are very similar among red wines; however, the taste is very different. Pinot Noir is much lighter in color and body; it has red fruit flavors, smooth tannins, and a smooth, elegant finish. Because these grapes depend on the right climate and conditions to grow, the taste might be different in a lot of vineyards. But for the most part, typical tasting notes contain red cherry, cranberry, strawberry, mushroom/ forest floor, and baking spices such as vanilla or cinnamon. California and Oregon are two places in the United States where you can expect these grapes to be grown.                                          

Thanks to its bright acidity and lighter body, Pinot Noir is one of the most food-friendly red wines. It pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, salmon, duck, mushroom risotto, grilled vegetables, charcuterie boards, and a variety of soft cheeses.

Celebrating With Pinot Noir

If you want an excuse to host and get together with friends and family, host a Pinot Noir tasting in your home! Compare bottles from different regions, and pair it with a homemade dinner. Simple hostings such as this are sometimes the most memorable. An alternative to hosting is visiting a local winery or going to a wine tasting event.  

Serving Pinot Noir properly allows its delicate aromas and flavors to shine. Pinot Noir should be served slightly chilled, between 55*F to 60*F to preserve the alcohol from overpowering the palate. Like most other red wines, Pinot Noir should be served in a large, wide-bowled Burgundy glass to allow the wine to aerate while trapping its delicate aromas. As for decanting, the sole purpose of this is to aerate young, tannic wines to enhance their flavors and aromas, while also separating older and mature wines. Younger Pinot Noirs can benefit from 20–30 minutes of decanting to open up their aromas, while older bottles may simply be decanted carefully to separate any natural sediment.

​Whether you're hosting a dinner party, sharing a bottle with friends, or simply unwinding after a long day, International Pinot Noir Day is the perfect opportunity to enjoy one of the world's most elegant red wines. If you're looking for the perfect bottle to celebrate, we have lots of Pinot Noirs that offer a beautifully balanced expression of this classic varietal.