While shopping at our local TJ's I was looking for a red wine that would pair well with pork or another light protein, like fish. A member of the TJ crew confirmed my suspicion that a Pinot Noir would be a good choice. Now, I was hesitant to pick a Pinot Noir, because a) they can get expensive, and b) there seems to be more of a linear relationship between price and tastyness (aka. a cheap pinot noir will not necessarily be very fun to drink). A few of the $14-$18 wines were suggested, but I was looking more in the "$10" (really under $10...) price range. Perhaps the only Pinot Noir under $10 that TJ carried was one from France. The employee recommended it with some reservations, "it is really light...I mean, really light," he said.
So why did I buy it? My thoughts guided by the employee's description...
1. Not too spicy
2. Easy to drink, smooth
3. My friends may enjoy it, too.
4. $7.99
Great! "I'll take it!" I told him.
Being invited to a friend's for dinner, I was hesitant to bring the wine with me. But, it was the only one we had and I figured it couldn't be that bad. I just hoped they weren't serving some really heavy meal that would completely overwhelm the flavor.
My thoughts:
After finishing off two other bottles of red, this wine was opened and served. It certainly was the most light and clean of the wines we drank that night. It was reminiscent of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in some way. It was not a terrible wine, but it was also not very memorable. Hints of cherry and a clean finish. I would like to try a few other Pinot Noirs before coming back to this one.
Details:
Cuvee 2007
Blason de Bourgogne
Pinot Noir
13% Alc.
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2 comments:
Not sure if you're aware of this, but Pinot Noir's are fickle grapes that are very climate-dependent so the vintage and region are especially important (most likely why the price and the taste correlate so well!). At least that's my understanding...Thanks for the info on the TJ's pinot!
Yes, that's pretty much what I've gathered from the little I've heard about the grape -- though you articulated it beautifully! I bought a Sonoma Pinot Noir recently and will see what I think of this next one.
Of course, my last and only visit to Napa was a region known for Cabernet, not Pinot Noir. I may have to make a trip back soon =)
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