Background
The Story of Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world, with roots tracing back to ancient Burgundy, France. The name comes from the French words for "pine" and "black" — a nod to the grape's tightly clustered, pinecone-shaped bunches and dark skin.
It's notoriously difficult to grow. Thin-skinned and fussy about climate, it thrives only in cool to moderate temperatures where it can ripen slowly and develop complexity. Too warm and the delicate fruit flavors cook away. Too cold and it never fully ripens. Growers who get it right are rewarded with some of the most sought-after wines on the planet.
Pinot Noir is the primary grape of red Burgundy — arguably the most studied, debated, and obsessed-over wine region in the world. It's also used in Champagne, where it provides structure to the blend.
Tim's Take: If I could only drink one grape for the rest of my life, this is it. A great Willamette Valley or Burgundy Pinot — that combination of silky texture, bright acidity, and earthy complexity — is unlike anything else in the wine world.