While Burgundy, France is the home of the Pinot Noir grape and the producer of truly world-class Pinot Noirs, the U.S. is a not too distant second in terms of production. After the 2004 movie “Sideways” was released (which celebrated Pinot Noir wines), interest in Pinot Noir wine took off in the United States. Vineyard acreage planted with Pinot Noir increased dramatically and new producers developed vineyards in California and the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Today, Pinot Noir sales are second only to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pinot Noir is a difficult grape to grow successfully. It’s thin-skinned and very sensitive to temperature, soil and disease. The vines produce tightly packed grape clusters which make it susceptible to various forms of disease and rot. It’s a cool climate grape and doesn’t do well in warmer climates. In California, Sonoma County and the Russian River Valley are two of the top producing areas as is the Willamette Valley in Oregon where nights are cooler and valley fog often develops.
An experienced and knowledgeable wine maker is critical for making good Pinot Noir wine. While that may apply to making any good wine, Pinot Noir ripens unevenly and generally requires hand-harvesting and gentle handling. Vinification processes can vary but if poorly managed, the wine can have a bitter edge or simply be flat.
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