PINOT NOIR: THE HEARTBREAK GRAPE

As it’s nickname suggests, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult for everyone from the people who grow the grapes and make the wine to the consumer at the store and restaurant table…but we love it. Wines made form this grape have long been considered some of the best in the world, and can certainly be one of life’s greatest pleasures when the quality is high and the style is right for you. Everyone has their own preference when it comes to Pinot Noir, and these days there are many variations on the theme. Even if you’ve turned down Pinot Noir in the past, finding your personal Pinot style is worth a shot.

The grape

Evidence suggests that Pinot Noir has been in Burgundy as early as the 4th century ce. This ancient grape requires a cool climate and slow ripening to retain its delicate balance of flavors. It is particularly thin skinned and prone to rot and other diseases, requiring constant attention to ensure a healthy harvest. Because of the sensitivity of the grape, the quality of the fruit is inconsistent, even in its homeland. Despite all of the uncertainty and difficulty associated with growing this grape, the pleasure it may offer when well executed has encouraged people to experiment, and as a result, Pinot Noir is now grown all over the world.


Pinot Noirs of the world

The Burgundy region of France is the original producer of great Pinot Noir. The sun-drenched slopes, particular soils and cool enough climate have produced age-worthy wines of superior quality. These wines tend to be light to medium in body with distinct berry and floral characteristics, some layered with earthy herbs and savory flavors as well. Not all wines are created equal though, and the lesser quality wines from this region can appear watery, thin and relatively flavorless. It can be a bit of a risk, but great Pinot Noir from Burgundy is simply enchanting.

The United States may not have the long tradition, but is continually gaining recognition for its own styles of quality wines made form Pinot Noir. The coastal regions of California benefit from the cooling effect of the Pacific Ocean and have had considerable success. Each region has its own nuances that affect the final product and it is never easy to generalize. That being said, California Pinot Noirs can reflect a warmer climate and feature bigger wines with medium to full bodies, are plumy and spicy, and may be higher in alcoholic degree. The downside here is that you can end up with a wine that tastes more like a price-inflated Merlot than Pinot Noir. Oregon has a slightly cooler climate and has earned a reputation for producing some very interesting wines exhibiting similar fruit and spice without over extracted or heavy flavors. Pinot Noir from these Pacific influenced American areas are still experimental and provide a world of delicious discoveries.

New Zealand is another area of the world whose experimentation with Pinot Noir is promising. The cool climate, gravelly soils, and growing interest in winemaking has lead to the production of some very noteworthy wines. They seem to strike a balance between the traditional Burgundian style and more modern styles. The wines have a vibrant freshness and with refined development, are light to medium in body, and the best ones are layered with floral, fruity, earthy, and spicy flavors. Pinot Noir is relatively new to New Zealand, and not all examples have come into their own, but the quality to price ratio usually works out in your favor.


Finding your style

Every now and then its fun to splurge on a bottle of wine, and Pinot Noir is a great way to spend that piggy bank money. But just because the bottle costs and extra $20 does not mean that you will enjoy it twice as much! Because Pinot Noir can be so varied across the board, it’s important to know what qualities you particularly like or dislike. The best way to figure this out is to get 3 friends together and each get a Pinot Noir from a different country, taste and compare. If you haven’t got the time here are some basic tips: if you like big, full bodied wines like Cabernet, Merlot, or Zinfindel, try a Pinot Noir from California. If you like bright, clean and fresh wines with some spice like Garnacha, try a Pinot Noir from New Zealand. And if you like light fruity wines like rose and Beaujolais, try a Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Most importantly, always remember to describe what you like in as much detail as possible to the people at your local wine store. With their help, you can explore the Pinot Noirs of the world and find the ones that make you sing!


Fun Facts

-Pinot Noir is one of the main grapes in Champagne and Sparkling
wines worldwide.
-Most Pinot Noir spends time in oak, but the desired effect is
usually subtle.
-Pinot Noir from Germany is called Spatburgunder.

written by: Tess Rose- To read other works by Tess visit: http://www.examiner.com/x-26386-Brooklyn-Cocktails-Examiner

The Dos and Don'ts for buying Wine: From Someone Who Knows

My name is Jen and my job is retail wine sales.

I’m not a sommelier, I’ve never taken a class in how to taste wine, and I subscribe to no wine magazines. I am a home chef and take great pride in being a world class “bonne vivante” and self-educated, big time, proud as all hell WINO.

The world of wine is vast, and I truly believe no matter what your taste, there is a wine for every palate. Sharing my knowledge gives me great joy, and I’m happy to be able to do so here on this blog.

Time and time again I get customers coming into the store, intimidated by the thousands of bottles surrounding them. They aren’t sure what to get, or how to describe what they are looking for in a wine.

Here are some helpful tips to take the fear out of shopping for wine:

1. WHAT IS THE WINE FOR?
When you go into a wine shop, it is important to tell the wine salesperson what the wine is for. Is it to drink tonight while eating takeout and watching LOST, or are you having a meal of codfish with shiitakes and saffron broth? Is it a gift for a wine snob -- or for your doorman? Are you on a budget or is price no object? There is a wine for every occasion, no matter how casual or formal.

2. POINT & SHOOT
Use your cameraphone to take pictures of wines you like. Not only will it be much easier for you to remember, but it will help your wine salesperson choose the right wine for you. If you don’t have a camera-phone, a waiter/sommelier should always be able to remove the label off the bottle you order (or write down what you ordered). “Wine diaries” are sold in most bookstores, so start collecting labels for future reference.

3. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE
Just because a wine was raved about by Robert Parker or the Wall Street Journal does not mean you will enjoy it. Robert Parker is one human being with one palate. Wine magazines and “critics” are often paid (or given great percs) to write about certain wines, so don’t assume that you like Pinot Grigio just because everyone else is drinking it. They, like many other producers, spend millions of dollars in marketing convincing the public that they are the greatest wine on the market. A few years ago, California zinfandel producers made a large media push, insisting that their wines are the best pairing for Thanksgiving dinner. Food and wine writers followed like lemmings. Unfortunately, zinfandel does not compliment turkey nor its side dishes, and millions of holiday dinners since have been ruined by high alcohol, fruit-driven wines that are best drunk with steak, potatoes, and creamed spinach.

Don’t believe the hype, and listen to your palate. You may prefer a $9 Merlot to a $90 Brunello. It doesn’t mean you’re unsophisticated, it just means you’re smart enough to know what you like.

4. YOU'RE THE BOSS
The cardinal rule is DRINK WHAT YOU LIKE! Life is too short to drink bad wine.


Next week: How to describe the wines you like - and dislike -- and open yourself up to new varietals.

JEN RYAN is a self-taught wino whose first sip of wine was a trockenbeerenauslese at age 10. Her world has been better since. Visit her Thursdays through Sundays at Vintage Grape, 1479 Third Avenue (between 83rd & 84th). www.vintagegrape.net