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Welcome to your complete guide to Pinot Noir wine! Loved by wine enthusiasts and perfect for beginners exploring red wine, this grape variety stands out for its elegance, complexity, and sophistication. In this guide, you’ll find all the details you need to appreciate, savor, and explore Pinot Noir (pronounced pee-no-na-whar). We'll cover everything from the wine’s fascinating history to its flavor profile, winegrowing regions, pairing recommendations, and tips for serving and storing. By the end of this blog, you'll not only know what makes Pinot Noir one of the most loved wines globally, but you'll also have some great insights to impress at your next gathering. Let’s dive in!
Pinot Noir Quick Facts
If you're in a rush and just want the basics, here's a quick overview of Pinot Noir wine:
- Regions: Burgundy (France), California, Oregon, New Zealand, though it’s cultivated in many other wine regions around the world
- Origin: Burgundy, France
- Taste: Notes of cherry, raspberry, mushroom, and earthy undertones, often with hints of vanilla and spices
- Sweetness: Dry
- Color: Light to medium ruby
- ABV: 12-15%
- Aging: Best enjoyed young, though high-quality Pinot Noirs can age gracefully for 5-15 years
What is Pinot Noir Wine?
Pinot Noir is a red wine made from the Pinot Noir grape, which is known for being difficult to grow well due to its thin skin and sensitivity to climate, soil, and vineyard care. There’s a saying that great wine starts in the vineyard, and nowhere is this perhaps truer than when it comes to the thin-skinned, finicky Pinot Noir. When cultivated under the right conditions, it results in wines that are elegant, finessed, complex, and highly approachable. With a lighter body than many other reds, Pinot Noir offers a delicate balance of fruit, earthy flavors, and subtle spice.
Pinot Noir’s appeal also lies in its ability to express the unique characteristics of the region where it's grown, a concept embodied by the word ‘terroir.’ As we explore Pinot Noir more deeply, we’ll discuss its history, tasting profile, and the best regions producing this beloved wine.
The History of Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir's origins go back more than 1,000 years to Burgundy, France. The name "Pinot Noir" derives from the French words “pin” (pine) and “noir” (black), referring to the pinecone shape of the grape clusters and the fruit’s dark color. For centuries, Burgundy has stood as the pinnacle of Pinot Noir, with vineyards here producing some of the most prestigious, expensive, and coveted wines globally. Pinot Noir eventually spread to other French regions, including Champagne, where it is one of the three classic grapes (along with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier) used to produce the bubbly.
Pinot Noir made its way across the Atlantic during the 1800s, with early plantings in California. By the mid-1900s, regions such as Sonoma County and the Santa Lucia Highlands were producing exceptional Pinot Noir. Oregon’s Willamette Valley, which lies closer in latitude to Burgundy, has also become an important region for Pinot Noir production, where the cool climate, long days of sunlight, and unique soils have resulted in world-class Pinot Noir wines rivaling those of Burgundy, while distinctly Oregonian in character.
Why is Pinot Noir so Popular?
Why does Pinot Noir captivate so many wine lovers? Pinot Noir’s light body, red fruit flavors, and silky tannins make it an excellent choice for those new to wine. At the same time, Pinot Noir appeals to seasoned enthusiasts with its complexity and layers of fruit, earth, and spice. Pinot Noir’s light body and vibrant acidity make it highly versatile when it comes to food pairings. Approachable, intriguing, and food-friendly, Pinot Noir offers something for everyone.
What Makes Pinot Noir So Challenging to Grow?
Pinot Noir is famously called the “heartbreak grape” for good reason—it’s one of the most delicate and temperamental grapes to cultivate. Its thin skin makes it highly susceptible to damage from pests, diseases, and weather conditions, meaning vineyard managers have to be extra vigilant throughout the growing season.
Climate plays a huge role, too. Pinot Noir thrives in cool to moderate temperatures but is incredibly sensitive to shifts in heat, humidity, and sunlight. Too much warmth can cause the grapes to ripen unevenly or lose their signature acidity, while too much rain or humidity can increase the risk of rot.
Terroir—the unique combination of soil, climate, and topography—also has a massive impact on how Pinot Noir expresses itself. Because the grape so clearly reflects its environment, even small changes in soil composition or microclimate can drastically change the wine’s flavor and structure. This makes growing Pinot Noir both a challenge and an art, rewarding growers who can master these delicate conditions with wines that are elegant, nuanced, and utterly distinctive.
Pinot Noir Tasting Notes and Flavor Profile
So, what does Pinot Noir taste like? The answer depends on where the grapes are grown and how the wine is made. However, there are some common characteristics to look for when sipping a glass of Pinot Noir:
- Aromas: Cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, mushroom, forest floor, and sometimes floral notes like violet or rose petal, or herbal ones, like thyme.
- Flavor Notes: Bright red fruits—such as cherry and raspberry—with earthy undertones, like mushroom and truffle. Hints of vanilla and baking spices might be present from oak aging.
- Body & Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, with silky, soft tannins. It has a smooth, elegant finish, often with a pleasant, lingering aftertaste.
Pinot Noir Wine Regions
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most iconic Pinot Noir regions.
California
California has become one of the premier places to grow Pinot Noir, especially in the following regions:
- Sonoma County: Known for warm days that ripen the grapes and cool nights that slow everything down, Sonoma County produces Pinot Noir with full, complex flavors and aromas. Smaller regions, such as the Russian River Valley, within Sonoma County, are particularly known for their Pinot Noir. Learn more.
- Anderson Valley: Tucked among the famous redwood trees in Mendocino County, Anderson Valley enjoys a cool climate, creating Pinot Noir with vibrant acidity, intricate aromas (including the local Pennyroyal flower!), and delectable fruit flavors.
- Santa Lucia Highlands: With its exposure to morning and evening fog rolling in from Monterey Bay, Santa Lucia Highlands produces Pinot Noir with bold, rich fruit flavors.
- Santa Barbara County: Owing to a unique geology, Santa Barbara’s mountain ranges run east to west, rather than north to south. This allows cold, ocean air to funnel into the vineyards, creating one of California’s longest growing seasons. Pinot Noir thrives in this cool climate, and can be fruit-forward, earthy, or savory. Learn more.
Oregon
- Willamette Valley: The crown jewel of Oregon’s wine industry, the Willamette Valley is known for producing world-class Pinot Noirs with bright red fruit flavors, lively acidity, and earthy complexity that rival those of Burgundy in terms of complexity and finesse.
France
- Burgundy: The birthplace of Pinot Noir, Burgundy is revered for its terroir-driven wines that showcase the delicate balance of fruit, earth, and minerality.
Recommended Pinot Noir Food Pairings
Pinot Noir is a fantastic wine to pair with food due to its fruitiness, juicy acidity, and lighter body. Here are some delicious pairings that will delight everyone at your next meal:
- Starters: We love serving Pinot Noir with a charcuterie board or appetizers, such as this pretty Blackberry Pistachio Flatbread or savory-sweet Pinot Noir-Poached Pears with Burrata Crostini.
- Roasted Vegetables: The fruit and spice in Pinot Noir are a perfect match for this comforting Browned Maple Butter Sweet Potato recipe.
- Barbecue: Pinot Noir’s fruit and acidity play nicely with the tang of barbecue. These Cuban Pulled Pork Tacos will fill your kitchen with those enticing smells of roasted meat and pair seamlessly with a glass of Pinot Noir at dinner.
- Salmon (or Tuna): A classic Oregon combination, Salmon and Pinot Noir go together like peanut butter and jelly, as the wine’s acidity complements the rich, oily fish. Crunched for time? Try this easy Classic Roasted Salmon that just calls for salt, olive oil, fresh thyme, and lemon.
- Mushroom Dishes: Pinot Noir’s earthy flavors match beautifully with the umami notes in mushrooms. Try it with a dip, risotto, or even a mushroom-flavored dessert (don’t knock it until you try it!).
- Desserts: Level up your campfire cuisine to new heights with homemade fluffy Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Marshmallows, flavored with our Grand Reserve Pinot Noir.
For more pairing ideas, visit our entertaining page.
How to Properly Serve and Store Pinot Noir
Aim to serve Pinot Noir slightly below room temperature, around 55-60°F, to bring out its delicate aromas and flavors. We recommend using a glass with a large, round bowl to allow the aromas to fully develop. If it’s a young Pinot Noir, decanting can also allow the wine to breathe and show its complexity. For more on glassware, check out our guide to wine glasses.
When storing Pinot Noir, keep it in a cool, dark place with consistent temperatures. For more tips, check out our wine storage guide.
Pinot Noir vs. Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are both popular red wines, but they offer vastly different experiences. Pinot Noir is lighter in body and color, with red fruit flavors, smooth tannins, and an elegant finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, on the other hand, is fuller-bodied and darker in color, with black fruit notes, robust tannins, and a bolder, more intense profile. While both wines are produced in many world regions, Pinot Noir traces its roots to Burgundy just as Cabernet Sauvignon does to Bordeaux.
Each wine pairs well with different foods—Pinot Noir is great with lighter fare, while Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect for heartier dishes. Thirsty to know more about Cabernet Sauvignon? Check out our complete guide, Cabernet Sauvignon 101: Everything You Need to Know and explore our wide selection of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Top 5 Best Pinot Noirs Recommended by Kendall-Jackson
1. Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir
Sourced from multiple, cool coastal California wine regions, the individual lots that go into this wine are kept separate until the final blend so that our winemakers can craft a wine that exhibits the perfect marriage of flavors and aromas from each region. This Pinot Noir teems with red fruit and has soft, silky tannins with a touch of toast and vanilla.
2. Grand Reserve Pinot Noir
This Pinot Noir is crafted from our best estate vineyards within a single, cool coastal California wine region. We keep each lot separate through the winemaking process, giving our winemakers an unmatched assortment of aromas, flavors, and textures from which they masterfully blend the final wine. This wine has finessed red fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, silky tannins, and a hint of smoke and toast on the finish.
3. Jackson Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Sourced from our family’s estate properties in the Anderson Valley region, where cold ocean wind and fog from the Mendocino coast funnel into the vineyards, this wine shows its cool-climate origins in bright acidity that accents its rich blueberry, black cherry, and cola flavors.
4. Jackson Estate Cloud Landing Pinot Noir
Situated on the undulating hills between the San Pablo Bay and the Pacific Ocean, Cloud Landing is perched in the fog line and exposed to persistent wind from the Petaluma Wind Gap. Long, cool days lead to concentrated red and blue fruit notes, with balanced acidity, silky tannins, and a long, lush finish.
5. Stature Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Our pinnacle Pinot Noir is crafted from two of our family's estate vineyards in the Anderson Valley. The final wine is a barrel selection that expresses balanced fruit, exceptional mouthfeel, and showcases the ruggedness of the terroir. A stunning Pinot Noir that delivers a captivating, bold blend of dark red fruit flavors and a lingering finish.
Shop Award-Winning Pinot Noir from Kendall-Jackson
Kendall-Jackson cultivates Pinot Noir from cool, coastal California vineyards located along difficult-to-farm mountains, ridges, hillsides, and benchlands because we believe the risk is worth the reward. From these breathtakingly beautiful sites, our winemakers craft elegant and complex Pinot Noirs with intense flavor. Explore our collection today to find your perfect Pinot Noir.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pinot Noir sweet or dry?
Pinot Noir is typically considered a dry wine, meaning it contains little to no residual sugar. It is known for its balanced acidity and subtle tannins, offering flavors of red fruits like cherry, raspberry, and strawberry. While not sweet, it can have a hint of sweetness from the fruit notes, but the overall taste remains dry and refreshing.
Does Pinot Noir need to be refrigerated?
You don’t need to refrigerate Pinot Noir, but serving it slightly chilled can enhance its flavors. The ideal temperature for Pinot Noir is around 55-60°F (13-16°C), which is a bit cooler than room temperature but warmer than most whites. Chilling it for 20-30 minutes before serving allows the wine's delicate aromas and flavors to shine without overwhelming the palate.
What kind of wine is Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir is a light-bodied, red-fruited wine known for its finesse and complexity. It is often considered one of the most versatile red wines, with flavors ranging from fresh red berries like strawberry and raspberry to earthy notes of mushroom and forest floor. The wine's lower tannin structure and higher acidity make it an excellent pairing choice with a wide variety of dishes, from salmon to roasted chicken.
How long does Pinot Noir last?
Pinot Noir has a relatively long aging potential, with some high-quality bottles lasting up to 15 years or more, depending on the vintage and winemaking techniques. Younger Pinot Noirs are best enjoyed within a few years to preserve their fresh, fruity flavors, while aged Pinot Noir can develop complex earthy and leathery notes. Once opened, Pinot Noir should be consumed within 3-5 days, and using a wine preservation tool like a vacuum pump can help maintain its quality by slowing down oxidation.
