Wine Tip of the Week # 7 - Pinot Noir

"Cheers" from Vintage Connections
Dean and Lisa Foster, Wine Educators and Consultants

This Week’s Wine Tips!

In anticipation of New Year's Day, we're recommending Pinot Noir to pair with New Year's Day pork roast.  Pinot Noir’s light tannins and berry flavors pair well with roasted pork.

There are many Pinot Noirs (and French Red Burgundies, made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes) for under $20, even many under $10.  But, finding a Pinot Noir that is representative of the variety for under $20 can be a challenge. 

One of our favorite and affordable Pinot Noirs is by Sebastiani.  From the Sonoma Coast, their 2007 is made from 100% Pinot Noir and is a multi-vineyard blend which creates fruit-forward wines “with richness and complexity”.  It has fresh cherry flavors with hints of maraschino cherries and “hints of oriental spice, vanilla and mocha”. The color is rich crimson.  The grapes were cold-soaked before crushing to prevent tearing, keeping the tannins low for early drinkability.  It was aged in Hungarian and French oak barrels for 5 months giving it hints of toasty oak flavors.  Alcohol is 13.5% by volume.  The current PLCB sale price is $12,99, but supplies are running low so check the PLCB website or call your local store to check availability.  When you find it, ask them to hold it for you and go now!  The PLCB product code is 004985.

Another favorite is Dovetail Pinot Noir (2006) from the Russian River Valley.  We found this to be one of  the best we’ve tasted but it is a Chairman's Select, is priced at $21.99 and supplies are very limited.  This vintage was created by blending various pinot noir wines from various sites in the Russian River Valley.  It is very fruit forward with lots of berry flavors and a pleasantly long finish.  It was aged in both French and American oak.  Even with alcohol at 14.2%, it wasn’t too hot and was great with pork paprikash. 

Always check the PLCB Product Search page and then call ahead to be sure of availability at
http://www.lcbapps.lcb.state.pa.us/webapp/Product_Management/psi_ProductDefault_inter.asp?plcbNav=|32369|

If you would prefer trying a PA winery Pinot Noir as we often do, Pinnacle Ridge Winery north of Kutztown, Manatawny Creek Winery outside of Douglassville, Vynecrest Winery near Breinigsville and Blair Vineyards outside of Mertztown all carry excellent Pinot Noirs at or under $20.  And, you can taste and make sure they suit your tastes before purchasing them.

Other lighter reds will also pair well with roasted pork.  See our previous Wine Tips of the Week for some recommendations for Beaujolais,
archived on our blog at

http://vintageconnectionswineinfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/wine-tip-of-week-3-beaujolais.html

Our past Wine Tips of the Week are available on this blog site.  See the archive in the right-hand column.


Upcoming Wine Events in the Pottstown Tri-County Area

Friday February 13, Wine and Chocolate Tasting Seminar (Valentine's Day event) at Gallery on High in Pottstown, Time and Cost TBD

Thursday, April 2, Wines of the World, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $50.

Thursday, April 9, Wines of the USA, one night wine seminar at Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, $50.

Tentative - Saturday, October 23, Mom's House Benefit Wine Tasting Dinner.  Location, Time and Cost TBA.

Many other events are TBD.  Contact us to schedule an event in your home, at your business, or for your organization.

Your suggestions on improving the blog site, just as your recommendations and comments about wine, are welcome on the blog.  As we learn more about blogging, we'll improve the site and make it even more useful and enjoyable. 

Coming Soon - Wine Blog in the Pottstown Mercury.  This blog will feature short versions of our Wine Tips of the Week.

About Us!

Vintage Connections provide   Wine Appreciation Classes and Seminars; Customized Educational Wine Tastings in your home or at your business;  Wine Consulting, and Benefit Educational Wine Tastings for non-profit organizations.

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Vintage Connections

Lisa and Dean Foster