Carol's wine column

One of my favourite wines, Pinot Noir, is a red skinned grape variety that is grown around the world but mainly associated with the Burgundy region of France. It is believed that the name comes from "pine" and "black" due to the tightly clustered bunches of dark purple, thin skinned grapes shaped like pine cones. The Pinot Noir grape produces some of the finest wines in the world but it is difficult to cultivate.

It likes moderate to cool climates, as in hot regions it loses its delicate flavours. It needs warm days and cool nights during the growing season. If the days are too warm the resulting wines have an overripe or cooked flavour. If it's not warm enough the wines are thin and pale.

Pinot Noir mutates easily and it is estimated that there are up to 1,000 different clones belonging to the Pinot family. Well known examples are Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Along with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, it is used in the production of Champagne. Pinot Noir is sometimes used in the production of rosé wine that is quite refreshing when served chilled, however, I prefer to stick to red.

Wine made from Pinot Noir tends to be of light to medium body. It is lighter in colour, tannins and body than a lot of red varieties due to the thin skin of the grape. The aroma is mainly fruity. Young wines smell of crushed raspberries, cherries and redcurrants, whereas older wines have deeper fruit flavours. The flavour of Pinot Noir can be described as floral and silky, with older wines having more of a silky palate than young wines.

Pinot Noir is heavily featured in the 2004 movie Sideways. One of the main characters gives a perfect description: "It's a hard grape to grow…it's thin skinned, temperamental, ripens early…it's not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and thrive even when it's neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention…it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked-away corners of the world. And only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinots potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, oh, its flavours, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and ancient on the planet."

Jadot Pinot Noir, 2003 From the Burgundy region of France, this wine is a pale garnet colour with the aroma of strawberries. It is dry on the palate with a fresh acidity and strong fruit flavours of strawberries and cherries. At around €14 and with an alcohol content of 13%, it is reasonably priced for a Pinot Noir. This wine goes well with white meats or game. Astrolabe Pinot Noir, 2005 An excellent example of a New World Pinot Noir, this wine comes from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is ruby coloured with the aroma of red fruits such as ripe plum and cherry and there is also a hint of vanilla and smoky oak.

On the palate, this Pinot Noir is fruity and medium bodied with good acidity and silky tannins. The alcohol content is 13.5% and at €19.95 it is a bit pricey but well worth it. Serve this wine with roast duck, game and mushroom risotto.

Carol Doyle,
ESB Power Generation