Pinot Noir is a perfect choice for all your entertaining needs. The grape’s naturally high acidity and thin skins ensure easy-drinking, bright wines that are great with food.
With its naturally high acid, thin skins and low levels of tannins the Pinot Noir grape leads to bright easy-drinking wine perfect for entertaining with food.
The versatility of Pinot Noir is truly one-of a kind. When served with just the right temperature and sipped on its own, these wines are refreshing – but when paired up alongside some hearty meats or cheeses for dinner? The powers within the bottle make them come alive.
About Pinot Noir
More than just a grape, Pinot Noir is the product of many factors. The Pinot Noir variety’s flavor depends on where it grows and what kind of climate they experience during their lifetime as well how much sunlight those grapes have access to for ripening purposes. This can lead them down one path or another when processed into wine – but no matter what style you choose there will always be a Pinot Noir fruit-forward taste with hints at the earthy notes and mushrooms too.
The style of wine produced by the grape variety varies according to climate, with high-end Pinot noirs usually having a more fruit-forward flavor and lower-end ones having more earthy, mushroom-like flavors.
Which wines is pinot noir used for?
If you love Pinot Noir grapes grow well in cooler climates and are used to produce single-varietal wines as well as being a major grape in the production of Champagne and other sparkling wines produced in France.
Pinot noir is one of the most popular red wine grape varieties in the world.
It is principally grown for use in still red wines, but is also widely used for rosé and sparkling wines, as well as some white wines where color is not important; it is made either as a single-varietal or (more commonly) along with Chardonnay to make Champagne-style sparkling wines.
In addition to being an important grape in the production of many fine wines, Pinot noir is also used in the making of some excellent dessert wines, particularly in France and Italy.
Where does Pinot Noir grow?
It seems pinot noir is also the key grape in most good-quality red Burgundy wines. If you love Pinot Noir take a look at the world’s most famous and expensive red wines. They are made from Pinot noir grapes, including wines from the Burgundy region, Loire Valley or France’s Jura region and the Cote d’Or district. Do you love Pinot Noir? Take a look at other regions.
In addition to France, Pinot noir is also widely planted in Ialy in the Alto Adige region, on the Sonoma Coast, Oregon, Washington State, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina.
Where does Pinot Noir come from?
The Pinot noir grape is believed to be a descendant of the ancient Roman variety known as Moutonnoir or possibly the black variety from Burgundy.
It is one of the oldest grape varieties in existence and has been cultivated since at least the 1st century AD. The word “pinot” is derived from the French word for “pine” and refers to the grape’s pinecone-shaped clusters of red fruit below.
The Pinot noir grape is a thin-skinned variety, with high natural acidity. It is prone to the viticultural hazards of bud break, budburst, and early onset of ripeness. The pinot lovers- grape is also susceptible to powdery mildew.
Wines Similar To Pinot Noir: 6 Alternatives To Choose From
If you love pinot noir and find yourself addicted to the fruity, refreshing taste of Pinot Noir, other grapes can satisfy your cravings. These alternative wines have a similar structure and will leave you with an equally refreshing feeling in both flavor profile as well as alcohol content.
Here are six wines that offer a similar experience.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais is a light-bodied red wine that comes from the Beaujolais region of France. It is made from the Gamay grape and is typically lower in tannins and bright acidity than Pinot Noir. It is also more fruity, with flavors of plum and black cherry.
Barbera
Barbera is another light-bodied red wine that comes from Italy. Like Beaujolais, it has relatively low tannins and acidity and is known for its fruitiness. Flavors you might find in a Barbera include cherry, raspberry, and cranberry.
Nebbiolo
The Nebbiolo grape, revered for its complexity and tannic structure, hails from the Piedmont region of Italy. It produces some of the most celebrated wines in the world, including Barolo and Barbaresco. Known for its bold tannins and high acidity, Nebbiolo wines often display flavors of red cherry, roses, tar, and earthy notes. They tend to have a long aging potential and develop complex characteristics over time.
Another italian red wine varietal is the corvina grape. Corvina wines are mostly found in blends to make Bardolino and Valpolicella Wines.
Grenache
Grenache is a red grape that is widely planted in Spain and France. It produces wines that are typically medium-bodied with high acidity. Grenache-based wines can be quite fruity, with flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry.
Dolcetto
Dolcetto is a red grape that originated in Italy but is now also grown in Australia and California. It produces light wines- to medium-bodied with low acidity and relatively high tannins. Dolcetto wines are fruit-forward, with flavors of red cherry, berry, and plum.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a variety of wine grapes that originated in California but can now be found throughout the world. It produces wines that range in the body from light to full-bodied. They have relatively high tannins and acidity and are fruit-forward, with flavors of red cherry, berry, plum, and strawberry.
Malbec
Malbec is a red wine grape that originated in France but can be found all over the world today. It produces wines that range from light to full-bodied. Malbec wines typically have high tannins and acidity. They are fruit-forward, with flavors of dark fruits, black cherry, plum, blueberry, and berry.
As you can see, there are many different types of wines similar to Pinot Noir that you can choose from. Whether you’re looking for something lighter in the body or something with more fruit flavor, you’re sure to find a wine that you enjoy.
Wines different to Pinot Noir
Grape varietals like cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc are used to produce red wine but the wines tend to be counterparts to Pinot Noir as they have either earthy notes, more tannins or are heavy bodied.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir, often referred to as the heartbreak grape, is known for its delicate nature and incredible complexity. Its lighter body and bright acidity make it a versatile pairing for a wide range of dishes, from salmon to duck.
On the other hand, Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, robust, and full-bodied with firm tannins that command attention. This classic red is often associated with flavors of black currant, tobacco, and cedar, making it an excellent companion for hearty beef dishes or aged cheeses.
Cabernet Franc
Pinot Noir, renowned for its elegant profile and complex flavors, often exudes aromas of cherries, raspberries, and earthy undertones. Its velvety texture and delicate tannins make it a versatile pairing for a wide array of dishes, from salmon to duck confit.
Meanwhile, Cabernet Franc offers a bolder expression with vibrant acidity and tart red fruit notes backed by hints of green pepper and herbs. Its structured tannins often lend themselves to longer aging potential than Pinot Noir.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a variety of wines that can be considered alternatives to Pinot Noir. Each of these wines has its unique flavor profile, so be sure to taste a few before making your final decision. Ultimately, the best red wine made for you is the one that you enjoy drinking the most.
