Basic information about Pinot Noir Wine Grape

February 15, 2011

Pinot noir guide
Pinot Noir is the most difficult grape to grow requiring a long and cool growing season and is prone to plant diseases. This is a challenge for wine makers but is rewarding when successful since Pinot Noir can become some of the most complex and interesting wine. It grows best in Burgundy and Champagne, France, California, Oregon, and is beginning to make a name for itself in New Zealand and Australia. Pinot Noir tends to be lighter in body and have a lower level of tannin than most other reds. To increase the level of tannin the winemaker may decide to age the wine in oak barrels. The complexity of Pinot Noir changes depending on where it is grown and can increase with age, as it is with a majority of wines. Pinot Noir is an excellent way to introduce newer wine drinkers to red wines. They are much softer than Cabernet Sauvignons, which seems to be many people’s first choice since it is the most popular. The character of Pinot Noir can be so incredible that you will be able to see what red wines are all about and not be too overwhelmed.
In France, Pinot Noir makes its home in Burgundy. It is also grown in Champagne, where it is blended with the Chardonnay grape to create the famous sparkling wine. Historical evidence shows that vineyards have existed in Burgundy since around 300 B.C.E. French wines can be confusing to the American consumer since their wine labels are written differently than ours. While American wineries show clearly the main grape in the bottle, France requires familiarity with the regions.
There are six regions within Burgundy. Two of those regions, Chablis and Beaujolais, are known for wines that are not made from Pinot Noir. Three regions, Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune, and Cote Chalonnaise, are known for producing wines created mainly with Pinot Noir. As long as you see one of those regions listed on the bottle you can be certain you are purchasing a Pinot Noir. These regions can be narrowed down even more into sub-regions, or appellations. Wine labels that become more specific in regards to location usually mean you are that much closer to a higher quality wine. The trouble is finding the time to memorize them all. For starters, some of the most well known sub-regions in Cote de Nuits are Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-St. Denis, and Nuits-St. Georges. Keep in mind that these are four sub-regions out of nearly twenty-five. Some of the sub-regions in Cote de Beaune are Savigny-les Beaune, Beaune, Pommard, and Volnay. The Pinot Noirs of Cote Chalonnaise are meant to be drunk young and a couple of sub-regions are Mercurey and Givry.
Don’t let the regional aspects of a label frustrate you. If you want to try a good red, rarely will you be disappointed by what France has to offer unless the label is vague. The only ones you may want to stray away from are those labeled Bourgogne. These wines are cheaper but are allowed to use a wider range of grape types. One thing that is helpful to look for on a wine label is either Grand Cru or Premier Cru. Those titles have to do with France’s version of wine laws; wines with those titles are considered to be the best. This does not mean that wines without the labels are poor by any means, this is just a good starting point until you become more familiar with the regions of Burgundy.
Some of the best Pinot Noirs in the United States come from California and Oregon. In California, Pinot Noir from Carneros, Russian River, Monterey, and Santa Ynez Valley have tended to be some of the best. Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Umpqua Valley produce some of the state’s tastiest Pinot Noirs. Adelsheim, Argyle, and Domaine Drouhin of Willamette Valley produce wines of great character. The prices of these wines vary across the board so you can either find one on a budget or treat yourself to a fine bottle of wine. Something to keep in mind when purchasing wine made within the United States is if it says Burgundy on the label; Burgundy on any American wine label is a generic term, meaning it is a soft red wine and not necessarily made from Pinot Noir.
Two other countries producing fine Pinot Noirs and gaining recognition are Australia and New Zealand. Prices on these wines can be a bit higher because of shipping issues, but they are well worth it. Even though Australia is best known for Shiraz you can find Pinot Noir from the New South Wales and Victoria regions. In 1980 a Pinot Noir from New South Wales won in a Paris tasting against a Burgundian wine. Some of the best Pinot Noirs from New Zealand come from Martinborough and Marlborough. Actually, Marlborough is said to produce some of the best Sauvignon Blanc if you are in the mood for a white wine.
For food pairing, Pinot Noir works well with a variety of foods. Avoid dishes that are lighter in sauces or spicy. Other than that, it works well with chicken, pork, salmon, tuna, ham, veal, and, especially, duck.
Much goes into making a bottle of wine. The taste can vary depending on soil, growing season, and what the wine maker decides to do with the wine during the entire process. One of the best ways you can learn about Pinot Noir is just to try several and compare. This is a great way to educate yourself about the characteristics of Pinot Noir and can be done with any wine region. Even purchasing two different bottles from two different countries can be interesting and fun. Take notes on each wine you try, including the vintage, region, winery, and think about the smell and taste of the wine. All of this will help you to develop your wine knowledge. Also, don’t bother spending money on a high priced wine if you are relatively unfamiliar with wine, even if you can afford it. It is best to start on the cheaper end until your familiarity increases and you can appreciate the characteristics of an expensive wine. There are plenty of low cost wines out there that are excellent and worth a try.

Source: http://www.essortment.com/food/pinotnoirguide_sodl.htm

The wine shop in Angeles Philippines Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga as well as other wine shops, wine bars and wine outlets in Subic and Manila are wells stocked with interesting selections of Pinot Noir wine from various producers covering a wide range of prices.

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News and pertinent information about wine trade, wine appreciation, wine shops and outlets, wine and food pairing, wine making, viticulture, vintages, climate conditions affecting wine, new and revived wine regions etc can be found here in this section. Yats wine Cellars is much more than a Philippines wine supplier with a few wine shops, wine bars and wine outlets in Philippines where clients can buy good wines in Manila, Angeles City, Subic and Clark Philippines. Yats Wine Cellars is also a rich source of information for the convenience of the growing community of wine lovers, wine connoisseurs and hobbyists. Wine lovers in Manila, Subic, Angeles City, Clark Philippines can enjoy fine vintage wines in any of Yats Wine Cellars wine shopping outlets, wine bars, nightlife spots, wine shops and wine restaurants.

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Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

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