October 4, 2024 | so you think you know pinot...

So you think you know pinot...
~ the shapeshifting, non-conformist side of this classic grape ~

It seems like it grows practically everywhere: although its home is in France's Burgundy region, it is planted in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, the Republic of Georgia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Hungary, Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, New Zealand, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, the US, and Uruguay... you get the picture!

You might be familiar with the pivotal role it plays in Champagne (both as a solo artist in blanc de noirs and as an ensemble player alongside chardonnay and pinot meunier) and of course, in the red wines that are considered classics worldwide: from the great Burgundian bottlings to Oregon's Willamette Valley and beyond.

But this grape is a serious actor with serious range (like Meryl Streep - always popping up to play a totally unexpected role - brilliantly!) Not only does it deliver classic after classic, it shape shifts and mutates into something completely different and delicious. Pinot blanc, for instance, is the mutation with the least amount of anthocyanin (the pigment that contributes to a grape's color), resulting in delectable white wines, while pinot gris/grigio are the "middle children" between pinot blanc and noir.

Today we're hosting a red carpet screening of all of these multiple personalities of pinot!

Meinklang 'Prosa' Sparkling Rosé Pinot Noir Burgenland 2023

Domaine Amélie & Charles Sparr 'Pensée' Pinot Blanc Alsace AOC 2020

Field Recordings 'Domo Arigato Mr. Ramato' Pinot Grigio Central Coast 2023

Bellande Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2022