Pinot Noir wines can be tasty without breaking the bank, columnist says
It can be a challenge to find a Pinot Noir wine that is both satisfying to the tastebuds and to one's wallet — but On the Coast's master of wine Barbara Philip has some recommendations that achieve both.
"Pinot Noir is just a heartbreak grape in so many ways, because it is difficult to grow, it's difficult to make into wine, and because of that, it's kind of difficult to find a Pinot Noir that's really satisfying and really satisfying at a price point," Philip told On the Coast guest host Gloria Macarenko.
These grapes need cooler climates and a fair amount of moisture, but too much moisture "can cause rot" on the sensitive skins of the grape, she says, adding that this grape variety is indeed thin-skinned and temperamental.
However, wineries both abroad and in B.C.'s Okanagan are coming up with great Pinot Noirs, Philip says.
Here are Philip's picks for affordable and delicious Pinot Noir wines.
Carmen Wave Series Pinot Noir. Chile. $11.49
"It's a bit of an anomaly because it's $11.50, but it's a very good wine for entry into Pinot Noir, and this can be very dodgy at lower price points. The reason I picked this Pinot Noir is it's from the Leyda valley in Chile, which is one of those places in Chile that's cooled a little bit by the Pacific breezes. If Pinot Noir is grown where it's too hot, it loses all its prettiness."
Devil's Corner. Pinot Noir. Australia (Tasmania). $25.85
"Devil's Corner Pinot Noir is a light, medium-bodied wine that smells like cherries and sweet herbs and flowers. It's so juicy … if you chill it down and have not a really fatty meat from the grill but something a bit leaner, it's a perfect match."
Spierhead. Pinot Noir. Okanagan. $25
"They were one of the first wineries to say, 'We're going to make a few other wines, but actually, Pinot Noir is our thing. We're going to really focus on that.' So exciting wines coming out of there.
Sokol Blosser. Pinot Noir. Oregon, U.S. $36.99
"Classic place for beautiful Pinot Noir. The Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir from from the red volcanic hills of Dundee [is] just delicious."
Louis Max Côtes De Nuits Villages. Pinot Noir. Burgundy, France. 2014. $38.99
"I looked around for a Burgundy that I thought was the best value. It's not a full-bodied wine, but it's getting an entry into the terroir, that classic Burgundian flavour. Check it out."
With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast
