If wines were personified by movie characters, Pinot Noir would be your Mrs. Robinson—mature and seductive. No wine evokes more sultry descriptions as Pinot Noir, often characterized as having a supple, silky texture and arousing earthy aroma. Sensual summarizations aside, Pinot Noir is considered one of the “founder varieties”. Its exact origins are unknown, but modern genetic study has revealed Pinot to be the parent of countless grape varieties including Chardonnay and Corvina, as well as hundreds of mutations of itself, including Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. Flavors and aromas are overwhelmingly fruit-forward—raspberry, plum, rhubarb, pomegranate, and strawberry—with subtle notes of earth and damp leaves. Burgundy, France enjoys the highest acclaim for its Pinot Noir, but this grape is no less renowned in Oregon and California in the U.S. and New Zealand in the southern hemisphere.
California ranks as the highest producer of Pinot Noir in the United States. The impact of the climatic conditions on the grapes is easily recognized in the finished wine. Compared to Oregon, which experiences four distinct seasons, California’s constant sunshine allows the grapes to ripen easily. The Pinot growing regions in the Golden State are often located in valleys near the coast where the daytime is warm and the evenings cool off as the coastal fog rolls in. This steady temperature fluctuation helps the grapes maintain stable acid levels, which highly impact the finished wine’s overall character and mouthfeel. California Pinot Noir is known to be darker in color with dense, ripe fruit flavors.
Our California Pinot Noir is fruit-driven with flavors of raspberry and cherry, underscored by delicate earthy notes. A dry red wine with a light to medium body, moderate oak character, and alcohol content of 12.5% by volume. This wine kit includes medium toast oak chips. Medium toast oak is the most popular toast level used in red wines as it imparts a complex balance of vanillin and spice along with a nice mouthfeel.
The VineCo Original Pinot Noir demands that it be sipped and savored. Do not drink it down like you might a common table wine. Approach with a subtle assuredness like you might if an attractive stranger caught your eye from across the room. Enjoy the deep, captivating flavors as if you’re getting to know this wine for the first time. For a dance at the dinner table, pair off with something that has a touch of spice like Kerala duck curry or Char siu pork.
Pinot Noir, California
- Raspberry, cherry, earthy notes
- Sweetness: Dry
- Oak: Medium
- Body: Light-Medium
- ABV: 12.5%
- Kit Volume: 8 L
- Approximate Yield: 23 L
- Ready to bottle in 4 weeks
