Tag: ilovepinotnoir

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Record sales at Hospices de Beaune

The 2020 Hospices de Beaune wine sales was supposed to take place on 15th Nov 2020. It was postponed at the last minute to 13th December but did not disappoint.

This particular sales was really special due to CoVid pandemic. Most people expected the wine prices to get down a bit from the last years steep increase. In fact, prices remained very stable compared to last year, apart from the president’s barrel “La pièce des présidents” that went for 660.000 euros to an anonymous Chinese buyer represented by Maison Albert Bichot. Other bidders added 120.000 euros and 20.000 euros, making it a 780.000 euros donation for the French hospitals.

The total amount of the sale is €13,438,700. 630 barrels were on offer this year, comprising 50 different cuvées, 33 red and 17 white. The total number was 474 red wine barrels and 156 white wine barrels.

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Oregon

North of California, Oregon has developed a great reputation for Pinot Noir. The growing area is centered around Willamette Valley, which is about 240 km long. It is about the same latitude as Burgundy and of about the same length as the Burgundy Coast wine area. Most famous wineries are located around Dundee, close to Portland. Several Burgundy winemakers have created or bought domains in Oregon, including Meo-Camuzet’s Nicolas-Jay.

Oregon Pinot noir tend to be smoother than Burgundy but highly sophisicated thanks to the cool climate of the area.

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France

Apart from Burgundy, which is the main and most developed pinot noir area in France, this grape can also be found in other regions.

Alsace

Although Alsace is mostly known for its white wines, cool climate of the Rhine Valley is also favorable for pinot noir. Alsace pinot noir tend to be of lighter color and body.

Champagne

Champagne white sparkling wines are made either from Chardonnay (called Blanc de Blanc), or pinot noir (called Blanc de Noir). White wine from pinot noir is created by maceration of the grape juice only, without skins that will give the dark color.

South France

Pinot noir is also grown in the southern region of France, particularly in Languedoc, where it has been more recently brought, compared to centuries old tradition in Burgundy or Champagne.

Loire Valley

Pinot Noir is the red grape of the Centre-Loire, most famous in red Sancerre but also in Menetou-Salon and Châteaumeillant. These tend to be lighter wines than one often associates with this grape.

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Australia

Pinot noir in Australia is mostly grown in Victoria State. The focal point there is the Yarra Valley, with famous domain Yering station leading the way.

Tasmania also produces many pinot noir, though they tend to be less famous. The Southern location of the island brings cooler winters and moisture, making it also a great location for the grape.

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California

Pinot noir is mostly grown in Northern California, where night temperatures get cooler due to Ocean breeze. California pinot noir tend to be higher in alcool and lighter in taste that traditional ones from Burgundy.

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Bourgogne

Bourgogne (Burgundy in French) is the region of France makes some of the finest pinot noir, where it is the main grape variety for red wines. It is divided in 3 areas, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, and Côte Châlonnaise.

Since pinot noir from Burgundy are numerous and well document, they deserve a specific category. Other pinot noir growing regions in France are listed in the France category.