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BURGUNDY
Burgundy, France is a much cooler climate than California and the wine style reflects a more nuanced style. Many wine enthusiasts believe Burgundy is the pinnacle of Pinot Noir expression. Burgundy is known for it’s earthy aromas like mushrooms and forest floor along with subtle red cherry, cranberry and floral notes. As Burgundy ages, it becomes more complex with a myriad of aromas and flavors emerging. The texture of the wine and depth of flavor evolves rewarding Pinot Noir lovers.
OREGON
The Willamette Valley is roughly at the same latitude as Burgundy, France. Oregon Pinot Noir is said by many experts to be closest in style to that of Burgundy, with a more delicate and elegant flavor profile. The Willamette Valley has a similar cool, rainy climate and volcanic soil to that of Burgundy. Pinot Noir is typically grown in the higher altitudes of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Willamette Valley Pinot Noir are nuanced and subtle with flavors of pomegranate, rhubarb, cranberry, earth and hazelnuts with high acidity. Little known fact, over 99% of all the hazelnuts grown in the US are grown in Willamette Valley.
CALIFORNIA
A big leap in flavor and intensity from the Pinot Noir in France—California Pinot Noir are typically bigger, lush and more fruit-forward. Flavors range from sweet black cherry to black raspberry. Pinot Noir is grown in many areas in California. However, it excels in places that receive cooling breezes (and morning fog) from the Pacific Ocean. The ocean moderates the temperatures in places like Sonoma, Southern Napa Valley, and the Central Coast (including Santa Barbara.) The ample sun and controlled temperatures make it easy for winemakers to pick at the perfect moment when ripeness is optimal. Many of these wines have subtle allspice undertones from aging in imported French oak barrels.
ALSACE
This wine region in France near the German border is known for cool-climate Riesling, and Pinot Noir: There are over 100+ small wine growing communes, and the subzones of Saint-Hippolyte, Rodern and Ottrott are known for only making red wines of Pinot Noir labeled simply as “Rouge" and By the way, Pinot Noir from Alsace generally offer bright, tart red fruit flavors, herbal notes and a spicy finish.
GERMANY
Many only know Germany for its Riesling, but its key red grape is actually Pinot Noir, called Spätburgunder in German. First documented in Germany in the 14th century, Pinot Noir is grown throughout Germany’s winemaking regions, from the Mosel to Rheingau to the Ahr. Styles can vary from light and lean to rich and oaked, often depending more on producer than the region. Overall, German Pinot Noir tends towards a linear style, rather than a fat one.
The German region most associated with Pinot Noir is Baden. A large region just across the French border from Alsace, Baden specializes in rich, layered, savory Pinot Noir wines, particularly from the warm, sunny Kaiserstuhl area, known for its volcanic and loess soils.
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