Anyone who
has seen the movie “Sideways” can attest to Myles, the lead character’s love
for Pinot Noir. Well what’s not to love?
Here are a few tidbits that shine a light on this fickle, delicate and
difficult grape.
Pinot Noir dates
back 2000 years to Roman times. It predates Cabernet Sauvignon by over 1000
years! Currently, it ranks as the 10th
most planted grape varietal in the world with France in the lead and the USA a
close second for most acres planted.
French for
Black Pinecone, Pinot Noir’s moniker reflects its dark color and shape of the
grape cluster. Interestingly, Pinot Noir
shares the same DNA with Pinot Gris/Grigio and Pinot Blanc apart from a few color
mutations.
A thin skinned
grape prone to disease, rot and frost bite, Pinot Noir earns its fickle reputation. It grows best in a cool damp climate near
protected valleys and large bodies of water.
Difficult to ripen and easily damaged, this grape can give vintners a
run for their money.
Oh, but the
outcome! A light to medium bodied red
wine, Pinot Noir is pale in color almost translucent with subtle flavors of
spicy earth, black cherries, berries, and current. Pair it with grilled salmon,
roast duck, pork loin, baked chicken or an earthy mushroom risotto. You will
not be disappointed.
California and
Oregon are the major Pinot Noir growers in the United States. Oregon’s
signature grape is Pinot Noir, gaining international accolades for their
superior quality in both grapes and wine. Because Wisconsin is not at all suited for growing
Pinot Noir, Harbor Ridge sources this fine fickle grape from the Columbia
Gorge, an appellation shared with Oregon and Washington, to produce our Pinot
Noir.
Launched in
October of 2018, Harbor Ridge’s Pinot Noir is aged with French and American oak
submerged in cool stainless-steel tanks for ten months. Characteristically light in color, our Pinot
Noir is delicate, yet savory with flavors of black cherry and berries and an
undercurrent of spice. Open a bottle,
settle in and enjoy a glass. It’s so worth it.
Oh, but the
outcome! A light to medium bodied red
wine, Pinot Noir is pale in color almost translucent with subtle flavors of
spicy earth, black cherries, berries, and current. Pair it with grilled salmon,
roast duck, pork loin, baked chicken or an earthy mushroom risotto. You will
not be disappointed.
No comments:
Post a Comment