PINOT NOIR

Young Pinot Noir is highly aromatic and fruit-forward, bursting with bright red fruit notes like wild strawberry, raspberry, and tart cherry. Because the grapes have very thin skins, the wine features a remarkably smooth, silky texture and a soft, low-tannin finish. As premium bottles age, they beautifully evolve past primary fruit to reveal deeper, highly prized savoury complexities like wild mushroom, baking spices, and earthy forest-floor notes.

Yes, Pinot Noir benefits significantly from a slight chill. Because it is a lighter-bodied, delicate red wine, serving it too warm can cause the alcohol to overpower its subtle aromas. For the best drinking experience, serve it cellar-cool at around 12°C to 14°C. Popping the bottle into the standard refrigerator for about 20 to 30 minutes before pouring will perfectly brighten its fresh red berry flavours and sharpen its crisp finish.

Thanks to its light body, subtle tannins, and vibrant natural acidity, Pinot Noir is incredibly versatile at the dinner table. It acts as a perfect structural foil for rich, gamey meats like roasted duck or succulent pork belly. It is also one of the rare red wines that pairs beautifully with seafood, matching exceptionally well with oily fish like grilled crispy-skin salmon, as well as earthy vegetarian dishes like a wild mushroom risotto

Pinot Noir should be served slightly cooler than room temperature, ideally between 13-16°C. If it’s too cold, it can dull the flavours and aromas; if it’s too warm, the alcohol can overpower the delicate nuances of the wine.

Pinot Noir often benefits from decanting, especially younger wines. This helps to aerate the wine and allows the flavours and aromas to open up. Pour the wine into a decanter and let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour before drinking.

Use a large, bowl-shaped glass (often called a Burgundy glass) to serve Pinot Noir. This type of glass is designed to direct the wine to the tip of your tongue where you can taste more of its delicate flavours and also allows for better swirling to release the wine’s aromas.

Pinot Noir is a temperamental grape that strictly requires cool growing conditions to retain its signature freshness and elegance. In Australia, the absolute premier regions to look out for include Tasmania (known for its bright acid structure and structural drive), the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria (celebrated for their perfumed, silky red fruits), and the high-altitude vineyards of the Adelaide Hills.