The red Pinot Noir grape has become an indispensable part of the wine world. It became famous thanks to the Burgundy wine region in France, where the best Pinot Noir wines still originate. But we also know that iconic Pinot Noir wines are now being made in other countries, such as South Africa, the United States, and Chile. They are all grown in the same climate, which is cold, because that's what Pinot Noir loves. Strong winds, a cooler climate, plenty of humid mornings, and a slow ripening period are ideal for top-class wine from this grape. Pinot Noir is cultivated with great care in the vineyards, as this grape is very susceptible to diseases and/or fungi. Because of this, a lot of work is required in the vineyards to cultivate the Pinot Noir grapes.

Pinot Noir grapes are often harvested by hand to ensure only the finest bunches are used in the wine. This is often followed by a long aging process in oak barrels to give the Pinot Noir greater depth and power. Sometimes, top wines can spend as long as 36 months in oak barrels.

Did you know that red Pinot Noir is also used in Champagne? Along with Chardonnay and Meunier. The addition of Pinot Noir makes Champagne fuller and enhances its aromas and flavors. There are also Champagnes made solely from Pinot Noir, called Blanc de Noir.

What does a Pinot Noir taste like?

So, what does a Pinot Noir wine taste like? The grape naturally possesses wonderful qualities: refined acidity, rich aromas, and a long finish. You can even chill a Pinot Noir slightly. It thrives at around 9 degrees Celsius. In the aroma, you can often detect nuances of red fruit such as strawberry, raspberry, and currant. But also nuances of violets, vanilla, and a touch of cedarwood are often discernible. The palate is always refined and quite full-bodied, a beautiful, rich red wine with notes of leather, red fruit, violets, and red flowers. When a Pinot Noir is oak-aged, it often also imparts flavors of leather, earth, and jam.

How long can I keep a Pinot Noir?

We're often asked if Pinot Noir can be kept for a long time. That really depends on the quality of the wine. A top-quality Burgundy can age in the bottle for up to 30 years if stored properly. However, Pinot Noir meant to be enjoyed young should be kept for a maximum of four years. It's best to ask for advice on how long you can keep a red Pinot Noir.

What do we eat with a Pinot Noir? Delicious dishes that pair well with Pinot Noir include pâtés, poultry, veal, and salads. This recommendation is for a classic Burgundy or Alsace Pinot Noir. If you have a fuller-bodied Pinot Noir from, for example, South Africa or the United States, you can serve more full-bodied dishes. Think of red meat, Peking duck, Indonesian dishes, and whitefish. Yes, you read that right, Pinot Noir is the only wine that can potentially be served with fish.