Pinot Noir

There are so many good wines out there for $10 and under that sometimes I feel I can drink well forever and never break that ceiling. Sometimes I’ll raise that arbitrary number to $15 and the choices increase almost exponentially….the sheer scale of the quality and value of wines in this price-range is amazing. We truly live in an era of great value for the consumer- in certain things.

Sometimes, like yesterday, I run across an eye-opening bargain that I cannot resist. For $6.97 I found French Pinot Noir. Granted, a vin de pays d’oc (French standard table wine) but still. This designation is the lowest common denominator for a DOC regulated wine. This is not bad; it just lets you know not to set your sights too high in the world of good wine.

No worries, for me an old world vin de pays beats a modern Californian (“fruit-forward” and jammy) any day!

More than any other wine, pinot is described in sensual terms. Pinot noir’s association with sensuality derives from the remarkably supple, silky textures and erotically earthy aromas that great pinot noirs display…. Pinot noir is lighter in body and far less tannic than cabernet sauvignon, merlot or zinfandel. It is lighter in color, too, leading the beginning wine drinkers to assume the that pinot noirs flavors are feeble….Of all the classic grapes, pinot noir is the most difficult to make into wine. It mutates easily in the vineyard…is highly sensitive to climate changes and variations in soil composition, and is unstable during wine making. All this makes pinot noir a riskier proposition for the wine grower, the wine maker and the wine drinker than, say, cabernet sauvignon. But it is precisely this enological gamble that makes pinot noir all the more fascinating and irresistible. –The Wine Bible

 

This particular wine is from the Languedoc region of France, the very south, home to rustic, earthy wines of no great note when compared to the better and more refined wines from the famous areas further north.  Again, not expecting much, but at this price it had to be good….and it is! Strong but very smooth grape flavors counterbalanced with a back bone of tannins and acidity make this a nice example of old-world wines that are meant to be sipped and enjoyed alone or just as well a part of a meal. In particular, these rustic wines pair well with beef, grilled foods, stews and other hearty dishes. Very nice alone….the wine was almost silky on my tongue, just before the strength came through….completely typical of pinot.

 

The label reads: Cuvee premier Delatour is a vin de pays from the famous Languedoc region located in the South of France. It is the result of a meticulous selection of pinot noir grapes traditionally vinified to respect the characteristics of this very specific and well-known grape variety. Added to its nice and intense ruby color and red and black fruit aromas, this wine is fruity and soft in the mouth and will be perfect with all your dishes and especially grilled meats, cheeses and salad.