Pinot Noir Wine

Pinot Noir is a red wine grape native to the Burgundy region of France, but it’s now grown worldwide. It is typically referred to as ‘red Burgundy’ in its home region, and its famous Côte d’Or produces some of the world’s most expensive and collectible wines (including those from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti).

The black-skinned Pinot Noir grape produces some of the most-loved red wines in the world. It’s rarely blended with other grapes, and its single-variety wines are typically light-bodied, with a complex and intriguing mix of red fruit and spice flavors, often with a hint of earthiness.

It’s also a key grape in making Champagne and other sparkling wines as well as rosé wines, like the rare pinks from Sancerre in France’s Loire Valley.

Looking for a delicious Pinot Noir wine? We have a great selection of Pinot Noir wines for you to try. Whether you’re searching for the perfect wine pairing for a meal or simply a light red to enjoy with friends, discover our Pinot Noir collection to find your ideal bottle.

One of the world’s oldest grape varieties, Pinot Noir is chiefly associated with France’s Burgundy region. It’s also grown in other parts of France and Europe, notably Germany (where it’s called Spätburgunder), Switzerland, and Northern Italy.

It has made its home in the New World vineyards of North America (particularly in Oregon and California, whose top examples now rival Burgundy for quality), Chile, South Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina’s Patagonia region.

Pinot Noir’s characteristically thin skin makes it a challenging grape to cultivate. The grapes thrive in cooler climates, encouraging Pinot Noir’s flavors and body to stay light and fresh. Preferring sun to heat, Pinot Noir is best planted in protected valleys or near coastal regions.

Pinot Noir has a light to medium body, with few tannins and medium-high acidity. It’s also not as dry as other red wine varieties, such as Cabernet or Nebbiolo, making it the perfect choice for casual sipping.

Traditional European Pinot Noirs are typically silky in texture and have a long finish, highlighting the leafy flavors that develop with age, while Pinot Noirs grown in other parts of the world are more velvety in texture, are less “green,” and have riper fruit flavors.

The climate and location in which Pinot Noir is grown can affect its flavors, but the wine’s age has an even greater impact. Pinot Noir’s color darkens as it ages, and its flavors and aromas deepen. Young Pinot Noirs have strong fruit and floral flavors, including:

• Cherry
• Strawberry
• Violet
• Hibiscus
• Raspberry
• Currant

However, as Pinot Noir ages, it begins to develop deep, earthy flavors like:

• Mushroom
• Game
• Forest floor
• Clove

Pinot Noir is an excellent choice for wine enthusiasts who don’t want to be weighed down by body and rich flavors but still want to be excited by taste.

For those after something more complex, a mature red Burgundy or Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley fits the bill, while the more luscious California style of Pinot Noir offers riper flavors and a luscious texture.

With relatively high acidity and fewer tannins, Pinot Noir is a fantastic wine to pair with food.

Pinot Noir makes a delicious match for poultry, such as duck and chicken, and also white meats like pork—think char Sui-style dishes, hearty stews, and even red meat dishes such as Beef Bourguignon to honor the wine’s French roots. Younger Pinot Noir’s lighter flavors and body makes it a great wine to pair with umami vegetarian dishes, particularly those centered on mushrooms or root vegetables.

To release Pinot Noir’s fragrant aromas and encourage its fruity flavors to develop slightly, it’s best to decant the wine around 30 minutes before serving. Opt for a ‘Burgundy’-style glass, which is wide and round at the bottom with a rim to stop the aromas from escaping.

Pinot Noir is a delicate red wine that can be slightly chilled before serving at around 60° F but, like many reds, can also be served at room temperature, around 68° F.