Breaking Out Of Your Wine Rut: Pinot Noir Edition

Ahhhh… Pinot Noir. A beautiful and temperamental grape - you never really know what side you’re going to get. So when you find one you like, why wouldn’t you stick with it? It’s such a roller coaster trying new pinot noirs.

If you’re feeling a teeny tiny bit adventurous and want to try something different next time, here are some options that may tickle your fancy. They’re all similar in that they’re light to medium bodied, low tannins and medium to high acidity - so you should be able to make a nice easy swap in wines and see how you feel about it. 

Gamay aka. Beaujolais from Burgundy (France). This is a light bodied red wine that’s best served slightly chilled (toss it in the fridge for 20 minutes before opening). It may have similar base flavours to your favourite Pinot Noir, but because of the unique winemaking practices, the flavours are super fresh, vibrant and fruit-forward. Most Beaujolais’ undergo carbonic maceration which means they’re fermented as whole bunches and that’s where the candy-like flavours come from.  

St. Laurent from Germany or Austria. This grape is actually from the same family as Pinot Noir, and it’s taste profile is also quite similar. A little bit of berries along with some earthiness gives St. Laurent great character; and it’s typically oak aged as well to give it some more depth and complexity. 

Valpolicella Classico from Veneto (Italy). Made from the corvina grape, this red wine is light, with aromas of tart cherries and slight herbaceous notes. It’s a fantastic alternative to Pinot Noir and also wallet friendly. 

Syrah from Rhone Valley (France). This may seem like an odd suggestion given that Syrah is typically heavy, tannic and spicy - all of which Pinot Noir isn’t. But Syrah from Northern Rhone can be quite delicate and flavourful and I think it’s a lovely swap when you want something a bit different.