23 Aug 2023
This week we celebrated International Pinot Noir Day! Pinot Noir happens to be my absolute favourite grape variety and is an absolute winner for all you wine enthusiasts out there.
Pronounced ‘pee-no nwar’, this most highly prized grape in the world, is also known as the ‘heartbreak grape’, rewarding patience with unrivalled depth and complexity. It derives its name from the grape species from which it is made and is derived from the French words meaning ‘pine’ and ‘black’, referring to the grape’s tightly clustered, pine-cone shaped bunches.
This grape has been gracing glasses since way back in the 1st century, when folks in Burgundy, France, were already enjoying its delights.
Romans who couldn’t resist a good thing were hooked on Pinot Noir’s red fruit goodness, like cherries and spices. The grape was like treasure from Burgundy, especially for over three centuries.
Catholic monks even got in on the action, cultivating it with love and labour, adding a spiritual touch to its story.
Pinot Noir’s association with the Church held strong for centuries, until the French Revolution brought aristocratic wine sipping to an end. But this grape had other plans – it spread its wings and found itself in vineyards all over the world. And while it’s a bit of a diva to grow, it’s the French version that still shines the brightest.
Back in 2004, the film ‘Sideways’ did extremely well at the box office, and inadvertently made Pinot Noir popular thanks to strong positive references to the French grape.
Fast forward to today, and Pinot Noir has found homes all over the world, where it’s also known as Pinot Nero, Spätburgunder and Blauburgunder. It’s the sixth most planted red grape worldwide, and it’s a bit of a climate lover. Give it a cool, long growing season, and it’ll thrive. You’ll find it hanging out in valleys and near big bodies of water, soaking in those perfect conditions.
Pinot Noir wears its heart on its sleeve, revealing flavours of cherries and raspberries, sometimes with a dash of forest floor or tea leaves, notes of earthiness and a hint of vanilla and smoke if it’s been made with oak.
On the palate, Pinot Noir is a delicate wine, no heaviness, gentle tannins, and a zing of acidity that adds to its grace.
So, without further ado, let me introduce you to my wine stars of this week, brought to you by Majestic Wines, St Albans.
First up is La Belle Angèle Pinot Noir 2021, Vin de France – This one’s a crowd-pleaser, approachable, fruit-forward and made from grapes handpicked from different spots in the
Languedoc region. It’s aged to perfection, boasting flavours of ripe red cherries and mixed berries, with a hint of herbs and spices. The label, featuring La Belle Angèle beautifully depicted on the label was a famous muse for many of the French Impressionist painters in the Belle Epoque renowned for her beauty and joie de vivre. At £9.99 or £7.49 mix six, it’s a delicious match for your Sunday roast chicken. I can honestly say I’ve never tasted a Pinot Noir with such a fantastic ratio of price to quality, so much so I went back to Majestic this week to buy another case.
And next up is Edouard Delaunay Septembre Pinot Noir 2020. It’s like a contemporary masterpiece in a bottle. Laurent Delaunay, a fifth-generation Burgundian winemaker, has crafted this gem using grapes from all the good Pinot Noir neighbourhoods.
You’ve got a mix from Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits, Saône-et-Loire, and the Couchois area. Think fresh raspberries, redcurrants, and a hint of smoke, all wrapped up in velvety goodness. It’s fresh, elegant, has great balance and is a great match for pan-fried duck breast, and believe me, it’s a steal at £17.99 or £15.99 mix six.
And if you are interested in learning a bit more about wine let me add a touch of fun and knowledge to your wine journey with a spotlight on Cartesian Cards. These ingenious cards are here to elevate your wine experience, all while you have a blast. Designed and crafted with precision, these cards aren’t your ordinary deck – they’re your ticket to both entertainment and enlightenment.
Meet Cartesian Cards, the brainchild of Rob Hallifax, rooted in London. With a track record of successful Kickstarter launches, Rob and his talented team of designers, illustrators, and photographers are the masterminds behind this captivating creation.
Picture this: playing cards that go beyond the realm of games, cardistry, and magic tricks. Cartesian Cards brings a second dimension to your hands, and it all began with Cocktail Cards in 2020.
A testament to their ingenuity, especially during times when many of us found ourselves experimenting with those long-forgotten bottles of spirits.
Now, Cartesian Cards is back with another masterpiece – Wine Cards. These regular-sized playing cards hold a treasure trove of valuable and fascinating wine information.
Learning about wine becomes an interactive experience, infused with fun. Imagine feeling more at ease when picking and ordering wine and imagine wowing your friends with your newfound wine expertise.
The heart of Cartesian Cards lies in their commitment to quality. Each deck is meticulously printed by Cartamundi, the world’s largest card manufacturer.
This dedication to excellence ensures that every shuffle and every reveal is met with unmatched craftsmanship.
Wine Cards, the latest addition to their lineup, made its debut in 2023, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer.
These cards are your passport to unravelling the world of wine in an engaging way.
Not only are they a fantastic tool to enhance your wine knowledge, but they also make for the perfect gift for fellow wine enthusiasts in your circle.
Explore and buy the cards here.
So, the next time you gather with friends for a glass of wine, why not bring out these Wine Cards? It’s more than a game – it’s an experience that combines the joy of playing with the joy of learning.
In the meantime, raise a glass to my favourite grape, the grape that’s won hearts all over the world – a true classic that keeps on giving!
If you are a wine retailer or an events company who would like me to feature your range of wines, then please contact me via mccabetwe@gmail.com or @mccabe_thewineenthusiast
