On the eve of Pinot Noir Day, we had two bottles of Pinot Noir waiting to be tasted, perfect timing for a mini tasting session.
Three of us gathered, each with expectations of a light wine experience, especially given the wine variety. We decided to put them to the test not just by themselves but also with food, including pasta and strong-flavoured salads, to see how they might change.
Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2022, New Zealand
This wine has a pretty colour that catches the light, resembling cranberry juice. The aroma is delicate, with hints of rosehips and perhaps a touch of strawberry. Although the label indicates 12.5% alcohol, it seems lighter, almost deceptive in its subtlety. Surprisingly, it paired well with the food, holding its own against the more flavoursome salads, despite being a lighter red. One of us, who usually prefers lighter reds, particularly enjoyed this wine. At its usual price of around £13 from Tesco and Morrisons, it’s a decent value, but is currently on offer for £9.99 at Waitrose.
Errazuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2022, Chile
This wine, created with a nod to Burgundy tradition through natural wild yeast fermentation, offers more complexity. It’s darker in the glass than the Villa Maria, with a higher alcohol content at 13.5%. It’s aromatic and floral, suggesting something more expensive. On the palate, it’s smoother and more robust, with flavours leaning more towards light blackcurrant and a longer finish. Given this, it went well with food. Two of the three of us preferred this wine. It’s available for between £14 and £16 from various stores, including Wholefoods.
As with many wines, even those of the same name and vintage, experiences can vary. Both of these Pinots brought something to the table, reflecting the terroir of their respective countries, making for an enjoyable tasting session.
