Pinot Noir Wine: Styles, 10 Best Bottles to Buy in 2024

Hailing from the Burgundy region of France, Pinot Noir is a hardy red grape variety that’s now cultivated worldwide. It's used in making some of the most exceptional wines in the world - loved by novice wine drinkers, sommeliers, and wine experts alike!But, what is special about Pinot Noir? Which bottles should you try?

Let’s explore Pinot Noir in detail - grapes related to Pinot Noir, tasting notes, wine styles, the 11 best bottles to try, and the wines’ investment potential. 

We’ll also check out serving tips and food pairings, viticulture and winemaking practices, and some additional fun facts.

All You Need to Know About Pinot Noir

Here’s all you should know about the famous Pinot Noir grape:

Where Is the Pinot Noir Grape From?

The Pinot Noir grape originated in the Burgundy region, France. 

Where Are Pinot Noir Grapes Grown?

Pinot Noir is grown all over the world in areas with a cooler climate. However, the Pinot Noir vine plants are sensitive to frost, wind, and harsh weather conditions.

How Do You Pronounce Pinot Noir?

The correct pronunciation of Pinot Noir is “Pee-No Nuh-Waa.”

How Did Pinot Noir Get Its Name?

Pinot Noir grape clusters have a conical shape that resembles a pine cone. That’s probably how the grape varieties got their name (in French, Pinot means pine cone.)

Another theory is that the grape varieties were named after the French region Pignolis where Pinot Noir has grown since the Middle Ages.

Is Pinot Noir a Red or White Wine?

Pinot Noir is a versatile red grape used to make red, white, and sparkling wine styles - although the whites are rarer to find.

How Many Calories Are in a Glass of Pinot Noir Wine?

A 5oz glass of Pinot Noir wine contains roughly 120 calories, and a 750 ml bottle has around 620 calories.

How Many Carbs Does a Glass of Pinot Noir Wine Contain?

A 5oz glass of Pinot Noir contains roughly 3.4g of carbs.

How Much Is a Bottle of Pinot Noir?

While affordable Pinot Noir bottles start from as low as $3, the finest, most expensive wines from France cost around $34,000 per bottle.

Why Is Pinot Noir Wine Usually Expensive?

The Pinot Noir wine grape has a very thin skin, making it susceptible to various grape diseases. So, the grape is difficult to grow, and that’s why a fine Pinot Noir bottle can be very expensive. 

Are Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Blanc Grapes Related?

Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Pinot Blanc, Précoce, and Pinot Meunier are believed to be of the same Pinot family. DNA studies showed that they’re mutations of the Pinot Noir grape variety. 

Pinot Noir is also the parent wine grape of Gamay Noir and Aligote.

This is not surprising because Pinot Noir is an ancient grape varietal that’s been around for more than 2,000 years. So, this vine planting must've undergone many mutations over the centuries.

What Does Pinot Noir Wine Taste Like?

Pinot Noir wines have a light red color, a medium body, and are low in tannin. These delicious treats boast strawberry, raspberry, and cherry flavors.

Well-aged Pinot Noir wines develop a more complex, earthy taste with a forest floor flavor profile.

Pinot Noir Wine Styles

Here are the brilliant Pinot Noir wine styles:

1. Red Wine
2. Sparkling Wine
3. White Wine
4. Rosé Wine

A. Red Wine

The Pinot Noir grape is primarily used for producing light to medium-bodied red wines with a fruit-forward nature and earthy aromas. These wines also boast dark berry flavors with mushroom, vanilla, and oak notes.

B. Sparkling Wine

Pinot Noir is one of the main grape varieties used for producing Champagne (along with Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.) 

Pinot Noir also makes excellent unblended sparkling wines called Blanc de Noir, which have rich black and red fruit flavor.

C. White Wine

Winemakers use Pinot Noir in some still white wines. This grape variety is usually used in many Italian white wine blends.

The rare Pinot Noir white wines are usually rich, complex, and very aromatic.

D. Rosé Wine

Pinot Noir grapes are also used to create beautiful Rosé wines that boast bright acidity, red flower aromas, and red berry flavors.

So, what are the best pinot noir wines to try?

11 Best Pinot Noir Wines to Buy in 2024

These are the 11 finest Pinot Noir wines you should check out now!

1. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru 2016
2. Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru 2013
3. Domaine Leroy Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru 2015
4. Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru 2009
5. Henri Jayer Echezeaux Grand Cru 1999
6. Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee Grand Cru 2015
7. Domaine Armand Rousseau Pere et Fils Chambertin Grand Cru 2018
8. Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa 'Las Pizarras' Pinot Noir 2016
9. Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir 2018
10. Fontodi Case Via Pinot Nero Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 2016
11. The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir 2018

1. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru 2016 ($27,927)

A great Bourgogne Pinot Noir with an elegant red cherry aroma with currant and earthy undertones. This creamy Cote d'Or wine also has high acidity, making it a perfect match with various dishes.

2. Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru 2013 ($17,318)

Any wine enthusiast will love this wine for its balanced acidity, mineral undertones, and a dark cherry flavor with raspberry and leather notes.

3. Domaine Leroy Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru 2015 ($14,972)

This aromatic Cote d'Or red wine is dry, acidic, very light, and smooth. It’s a good Pinot Noir wine with dominant flavors of raspberry, strawberry, black cherry, and truffles.

4. Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru 2009 ($12,112)

This beautiful red wine boasts crisp acidity, fine minerality, and flavors of black fruit, oak, and chocolate.

5. Henri Jayer Echezeaux Grand Cru 1999 ($10,183)

This Pinot Noir wine displays a rich earthy aroma, forest floor undertones, and a dark fruit flavor with raspberry, leather, and mushroom notes.

6. Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee Grand Cru 2015 ($8,839)

This wine shines with a floral character of violet and rose petals aromas. On the palate, it has a rich black fruit flavor with a long-lasting earthy finish.

7. Domaine Armand Rousseau Pere et Fils Chambertin Grand Cru 2018 ($4,019)

This outstanding  Pinot Noir bottle opens with a silky texture and a cherry flavor with hints of strawberry, blackberry, and chocolate notes.

8. Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa 'Las Pizarras' Pinot Noir 2016 ($91)

This crisp wine has a fruit-forward nature, crisp minerality, a dark cherry flavor, and red fruit aromas of blueberry, cranberry, and strawberry.

9. Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir 2018 ($83)

This fruity red wine boasts blueberry aromas, ripe tannins, a smooth texture, and berry fruit flavors with spice notes. 

10. Fontodi Case Via Pinot Nero Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 2016 ($48)

This wine shines with a fruit-forward nature, fine minerality, fine-grained tannins, rose petal aromas, and red berry flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and cranberry.

11. The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir 2018 ($46)

This elegant wine bottle from the Dundee Hills opens with extraordinary finesse, black cherry aromas, and red fruit flavors with hints of smoke, citrus, and vanilla. 

Is Pinot Noir Wine Good for Long-Term Investment?

Let’s find out whether a bottle of Pinot Noir deserves a space in your cellar or not:

Does Pinot Noir Wine Age Well?

Most French Pinot Noir wines are made by fermenting the whole grape bunches, and this creates beautiful age-worthy wines.

How Long Will a Bottle of Pinot Noir Last?

A classic red Burgundy wine like Pinot Noir can age for 15-20+ years. However, the aging potential of good Pinot Noir wines from other countries is lesser (around 4-5 years.)

So, if you’re a wine enthusiast who’s into fine wine investment, then you should go for the classic Pinot Noir wines from Burgundy.

Do Pinot Noir Wines Appreciate in Value?

The finest Pinot Noir bottles show a decent price appreciation. For example, the price of the 2016 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru wine grew by 45% - from $19,968 in June 2020 to $28,906 in January 2022.

Pinot Noir wines of superior quality are produced in small batches and are usually sold very quickly. A combination of scarcity, critics’ reviews, and quality keep the prices of these red Burgundy wines high.

How Do Pinot Noir Wines Perform at Auctions?

One of the most coveted Pinot Noir wines is from the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru. The 1945 vintage from this Grand Cru, which was purchased for $558,000, was the most expensive bottle of Pinot sold at an auction.

Now, with so many exquisite Pinot Noirs, you might be wondering how you can get your hands on one of them. Simply visit the Vinovest website - an incredible wine investment platform that helps you buy, store, and sell authentic wine bottles. 

Vinovest can help you invest in the best wine bottles from around the globe - be it from Cote de Beaune, Alsace, Gevrey-Chambertin, Santa Lucia Highlands, northern California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, the Dundee Hills, Marlborough, or the Sonoma Coast!

Pinot Noir Wine: Serving Tips and Food Pairings 

Here are the various Pinot Noir serving tips and food pairing ideas:

What Food Can You Pair With Pinot Noir Wine?

Pinot Noir pairs with various dishes because it has low tannin levels and high acidity. Serve your best wine with chicken, pork, duck, or savory game meat.

Should Pinot Noir Wine Be Chilled?

Serve Pinot Noir slightly chilled at a temperature of 54-59°F (12-15°C.)

Should You Decant Pinot Noir Wine?

A younger Pinot Noir wine will probably not need decanting. However, if you want to pop open a 10-year-old Pinot Noir, you should let it breathe for 20-30 minutes. This will help the wine develop all the aromas in their full complexity and depth.

Which Glass Should You Use When Serving Pinot Noir?

If you’re looking for a perfect wine glass for serving your Pinot Noir, go for a classic Burgundy glass. This large bell-shaped glass captures all the bold aromas and helps express the wine’s complex flavors.

Should Pinot Noir Be Refrigerated After Opening?

Refrigerate your opened bottle of Pinot Noir at around 55°F (13°C.) This will help extend the wine’s longevity.

How Long Does Pinot Noir Wine Last Once Opened?

A bottle of light red wine like Pinot Noir will stay fresh for 2-3 days once opened.

Now, which country produces the best Pinot Noir wine?

Pinot Noir Wine Regions

Although originally from France, Pinot Noir grapes are now grown worldwide. Here are the main Pinot Noir wine regions: 

1. France
2. The United States
3. Germany
4. Italy
5. Spain
6. Australia
7. New Zealand
8. South Africa
9. Chile
10. Argentina

1. France

Pinot Noir is the signature grape varietal of the Burgundy region (Bourgogne in French), with about 11,000 hectares under cultivation.

However, you’ll also find the largest concentration (around 13,000 hectares) of Pinot Noir vine plantings in the Champagne region. Other French Pinot Noir regions include Alsace and Sancerre.

2. The United States

California is the leading producer of Pinot Noir in the United States.

American Pinot Noir is made from fine grapes planted in areas that are cooled down by the Pacific Ocean winds. 

The most popular California Pinot Noir wine regions include:

• Sonoma County (especially the Russian River Valley appellation)
• Central Coast (including Santa Barbara County and Santa Lucia Highlands)
• Sonoma Coast 
• Sta. Rita Hills
• Monterey County
• Southern Napa Valley (especially the Carneros district of Napa and Sonoma)

Oregon is the next biggest producer of Pinot Noir wines. Oregon Pinot Noir grapes were brought to the state in 1959 and are primarily grown in the Willamette Valley vineyards. Just like Burgundy, the Willamette Valley has a cool climate.

3. Germany

Germany is the world’s third-largest producer of Pinot Noir wine. Interestingly, Pinot Noir is the most planted red grape in the country.

German Pinot Noir wine is known as Spätburgunder. 

4. Italy

In Italy, the Pinot Noir grape is known as Pinot Nero. This grape variety is planted widely in Tuscany, Franciacorta, Pavese, and Oltrepo.

5. Spain

Spain grows the Pinot Noir grape primarily in the Catalonia region. The country uses this grape variety to produce still wines and the Cava sparkling wine style.

6. Australia

In Australia, Pinot Noir grapes are grown widely in the Southern Highlands, Tasmania, the Canberra district, and the Yarra Valley.

7. New Zealand

Pinot Noir is the most planted red grape varietal in New Zealand (covering over 5,000 hectares.) The grape is grown widely in Central Otago, Marlborough, and North Canterbury.

8. South Africa

South Africa produces some of the most impressive New World Pinot Noir wines. The country’s main Pinot Noir wine regions are Cape South Coast, Paarl, and Elgin.

9. Chile

Pinot Noir is grown in almost every wine region in Chile - thanks to the country’s cool Pacific winds. The grape is planted widely in Biobio, Aconcagua, and Leyda Valley.

10. Argentina

Argentina is a popular New World wine region that grows Pinot Noir grapes in the vineyards of Mendoza, Patagonia, and Rio Negro.

Pinot Noir: Viticulture and Winemaking and Techniques

Pinot Noir is just as hard to handle in winemaking as it is to grow. Different winemakers use different techniques that significantly affect the kind of wine they produce. 

So, let’s take a look at various aspects of the Pinot Noir winemaking process: 

• Influence of terroir: The Pinot Noir vine is deeply influenced by the nuances in terroir. So, in Pinot Noir wines, you’ll find delightful expressions of the soil, climate, and altitude of the Pinot Noir vine plants.
• Clones:Some winemakers use a few Pinot Noir clone varieties to add to the wine’s complexity, while others prefer sticking to one clone.
• Organic grape cultivation: The Pinot Noir grape is very sensitive to external conditions, so producers often resort to organic grape cultivation and avoid chemical fertilizers.
• Harvest: Most winemakers usually ferment whole grape bunches rather than individual grapes. Fermenting the grape bunches increases the wines’ tannin levels (since Pinot Noir has a very low tannin content.)
• Fermentation: Fermentation takes place in open vats where the grape skins are in contact with the grape juice. 

The fermentation temperature is another crucial factor. If the winemaker ferments the grape must at cooler temperatures, the wine has more residual sugar and a fresh, fruity aroma. 

• Cold maceration: This is another popular technique in which the winemaker crushes the grapes at temperatures of -16°F to -9°F (4-15°C.) This allows for better extraction of color, aroma, and tannin content. 
• Post-fermentation: Some winemakers use French oak barrels to age their Pinot Noir wines. These oak barrels add flavor and supple tannins to the wine.

More Fun Facts About Pinot Noir!

Check out a few more fascinating facts about Pinot Noir:

1. Pinot Noir is Among the Oldest Grape Varieties in the World

Pinot Noir has been around since the Romans’ times (about 2,000 years ago.) The grape is about 1,000 years older than Cabernet Sauvignon (which was invented in the 17th century as a crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.)

2. Pinot Noir Is Quite Popular in the USA

Pinot Noir wine sales increased by about 16% after the release of the 2004 movie Sideways. It starred Paul Giamatti, who played a devoted Pinot Noir lover (and a Merlot hater), and he praised the wine throughout the movie. 

3. An Annual Pinot Noir Celebration in the USA

Every year, an International Pinot Noir Celebration is held in Oregon, USA. This tradition started around 30 years ago and attracts Pinot Noir producers and wine lovers from all over the world.

Ready to Add a Special Pinot Noir to Your Wine Collection?

The most delicate Pinot Noir is definitely a wine worthy of your prized collection! Its finesse, rich aromas, and aging potential (especially true for red Burgundies) make it a real gem for your wine cellar. 

Check out the Vinovest website to easily buy, store, and sell California Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and other wines from the Russian River Valley, the Anderson Valley, the Willamette Valley, the Napa Valley, and New Zealand