Pinot Noir of the World Comparison Tasting

We are very excited to launch our exciting series of grape variety tastings showcasing some of the best examples across the world of wine of a given variety. These wines are expertly hand-picked by wine school owner Jimmy Smith to represent a broad diversity, and we begin our adventure with the world-famous Pinot Noir. The tasting will discover the trials and tribulations of growing Pinot Noir and where in the world we find this regal variety. Countries/regions tasted will be France, California, Oregon (both USA), Italy, Germany, Tasmania (Australia), South Africa and New Zealand and the wines are premium-priced retailing at £20-£60.

Pinot Noir

Pinot noir is arguably the most charismatic of all grape varieties, and without doubt the hardest to get right. When it works, though, it's sublime. No other grape has the same power of seduction, from its naturally delicate colour to the charming raspberry and cherry notes of a young pinot noir, through to the more gamey aromas that appear with age. Burgundy is the spiritual home of fine pinot noir, producing wines with a silky texture haunting herbal, forest floor aromas that come with a bit of age. Germany and Austria tend to make light-bodied, cherry-scented pinot noir. And in the new world in cooler areas – New Zealand, the Pacific north-west and cooler areas of Chile – are best for growing this sensitive, thin-skinned grape. Expect a more velvety palate, riper fruit flavours and less herbal aromas than you'd find in European pinot noir. There are many versions of pinot noir, which mutates easily and which growers find exasperatingly difficult to grow successfully. It remains therefore an irresistible challenge to wine-growers as far apart as Oregon, Argentina, New Zealand and Hungary.

Wines on Tasting - Coming up!