I’m sure you’ve heard of Pinot Noir – the world’s heartbreak red grape. But maybe you didn’t know that there is a big Pinot family —Noir, Gris, Blanc, Grigio and Menuier. Below are a few ways for you to geek out around how awesome Pinot really is. It’s a grape that has mutated in the vineyard, is one of the most expensive and beloved in the world, and with a distant cousin that you might not know is mixed into many of the sparkling wines and champagnes you love! Get to know all that is Pinot from around the world.
Wakefield Pinot Noir
A fab Pinot Noir from Australia and a wine that gives back is this one from Wakefield Wines. Flip the bottle over to reveal the Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor that’s on the back label. Wakefield Wines from Australia has partnered with Canada’s Project Seahorse to save the seahorses and is asking for your help! Wakefield Wines is calling on people to help raise much-needed funds for Project Seahorse and advocate for their oceans. Donations to Project Seahorse as well as additional information are available here.
Portillo Pinot Noir
This Pinot is a medium-bodied and fruity wine with soft and lovable tannins from Argentina’s high elevation vineyards. Serve with grilled salmon or a charcuterie board. Argentina is one of the few continental viticultural areas in the world with the majority of vineyards planted at high altitudes with vineyards stretching across more than 2,000 kilometres. Altitude helps to give wines a distinctive character by serving as a temperature regulator for grape growing. Under stress, grapevines adapt and produce more complex fruit. From solar radiation to a thinner atmosphere, high-altitude vines help to produce wines with elegance and finesse.
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Lurton Piedra Negra Pinot Grigio
Argentina’s continental, dry climate lends itself to making incredibly tasty organic wines. Organic agriculture is on the rise today across the global wine industry and certifications of vineyards and wineries continue to climb in Argentina. The first organic farms in Argentina began as far back as 1985 and there is currently 6240 ha of Argentina vineyards that are certified organic. This Pinot tastes great and is a great choice for organic wine lovers.
Mission Hill Pinot Gris
On a recent trip to Mission Hill Winery, I fell in love with the wines and the view! This VQA Pinot Gris is crisp, refreshing and wonderful with your favourite seafood dishes. Support VQA and wines from the west coast by trying this lovable wine. The glacier-formed Okanagan Valley offers varying soil profiles, long, hot growing days, and diverse microclimates. In 1981, the Okanagan was largely undiscovered as a wine region, instead it was renowned for the quality of its stonefruit orchards. Grape growers were just beginning to take risks, planting vines in unproven terrain and the wines are worth tasting and sharing. Mission Hill is Canada’s only five-time winner of Winery of the Year!
Konzelmann Pinot Blanc
Konzelmann is Niagara’s only lakefront winery, and their Pinot Blanc is an authentic version of the white Pinot grape. The winery began in the small German town of Uhlbach near the turn of the 19th century when a restauranteur named Frederick Konzelmann left the culinary trade to pursue the craft of winemaking. By 1984 the Konzelmann family immigrated to Canada, purchased a lakefront peach orchard and built a winery. If you’re up for a visit, head to the winery and enjoy the wines right on property for a fantastic winery experience.
Cono Sur Pinot Noir Rose
Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery in Chile, South America was founded in 1993, with the vision of producing premium, expressive and innovative wines that convey the spirit of the New World. I love many of their wines, but especially the Pinot Noir Rosé. A crushable wine, with a wonderful backbone of acidity.
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Bonus Bottle:
Vineland Estates Pinot Meunier
Looking for a bonus discovery bottle? Try the Pinot Meunier from Vineland Estates Winery. One of the three grapes used in the many wonderful bottles of sparkling wine and champagne that you’ve loved over the years. Tasting this will have you deconstructed and understanding the whole Pinot Family! Order direct from the winery if it’s out at the LCBO. Trust me, it’s rustic, juicy and totally lovable!
