Pinot Noir - The Mystical Red Wine Guide

The name Pinot Noir is derived from the French words ‘pine’ and ‘black’ relating to its naturally tight and pine cone like grape clusters of dark colour. It’s believed that Romans brought the grape with them but its origins can be dated back to the 1st century AD.

As times transcended to the medieval ages, Burgundy was already an established centre of viticulture. Various sects of monks owned tracts of vineyards which were getting noticed for quality wine production. At this point, Burgundy also came to be known as a region able to show nuances in wines coming from different vineyard plots.

Fast forward to today, Pinot Noir is a well loved red wine. One that now thrives and makes exceptional quality wines in many different, cool wine growing regions of the world.

Pinot Noir's Delicate Yet Defiant Personality

Why do I call Pinot Noir mystical?

Pinot Noir isn’t a loud, bold or in-your-face kind of wine. It’s gentle, even quiet and that’s what makes it so special. It doesn’t try to impress with power. Instead, it draws you close slowly, with elegance and finesse of flavours.

It often looks lighter in the glass than other red wines, but that doesn’t mean it’s simple. In fact, Pinot Noir is full of character. Flavours are a symphony that reminds you of fresh cherries, strawberries, or rose petals at times. Because of Pinot Noir’s great ageing potential you can expect complex and pleasantly present earthy notes of mushrooms or the smell of the forest ground after a spell of rain.

That’s the thing about Pinot Noir: it’s always changing. The same bottle might taste a little different each time you open it. Sometimes it’s silky and smooth, other times it’s a little wild and spicy. Just like us, but also has moods!

People love it because it feels real, honest and not trying too hard. It won’t scream for your attention, but if you slow down and really listen, you’ll realise it has a lot to say as it opens up to you. Mystical right?!

Tough to Grow - A Beautiful Challenge in Every Vineyard

Pinot noir is a thin-skinned, disease prone and somewhat a nosy, finicky variety to grow. Since it is not an easy grape to grow, grape growers fall in love with its elusive, whimsical nature. It doesn’t thrive just anywhere. It demands the right climate, careful handling, and a whole lot of patience hence, you can expect very little to no mediocre Pinot Noir wines out there.

I say it as a beautiful challenge in every vineyard also because - it changes itself subtly but surely when grown on different soil types and climates of distinctive wine regions. In fact, it is known to show plot wise as well as winemaking differences quite well in the case of Burgundy, the classic home of Pinot Noir in France.

So, when it’s done right? It’s magic.

Because Pinot Noir doesn’t just reflect the grape — it reflects the place it’s grown, the soil it came from, and the care it received. It’s a mirror of the vineyard, one that reflects the image of terroir in each bottle and every vintage tells a slightly different story.

Many winemakers will say that Pinot Noir humbles them. It keeps them on their toes. It doesn’t allow shortcuts. But that’s also what makes it so rewarding. When you finally get a great Pinot Noir wine it’s elegant, expressive, balanced. It feels like nature and human effort working in a perfect harmony.

Quite A Traveller - From France to Faraway Lands

In Burgundy, it’s been grown for over a thousand years. Pinot Noir wines from this region are considered the gold standard, one of the best. These wines are earthy, elegant, and quietly robust and powerful. Being sensitive to climate and soil, Burgundian Pinot Noir is known to highlight subtle nuances of flavour difference from two different rows of the same vineyard. And that’s where things get really fun for experts and Pinot lovers alike.

Travel to Oregon’s Willamette Valley and you’ll find Pinot Noirs that are vibrant, fun and juicy, with notes of red fruit like cranberry, red cherry, and spice. A terroir centric Pinot Noir wine bundled with a ton of gourmet goodies in this expertly crafted wine gift basket is a posh and an effortless gift to mark a special occasion.

Now, as we go down to California you’ll taste a bolder, more plummier and a fruit-forward style that’s lush and sun-kissed.

New Zealand brings out a fresh, herbal edge as Pinot Noir grows and thrives here in cool conditions. Even Germany and parts of South Africa are now producing beautiful Pinots with their own unique twist where winemakers and grape growers are showing their Pinot Noir prowess.

Pinot Noir is a bit of a globetrotter, but not every site can handle it. It needs cooler climates and a lot of care. But when it finds the right home, it narrates the story of that place in the glass. That’s why wine lovers and experts often geek out over “terroir” with Pinot Noir more than almost any other grape variety. Same grape, different places, wildly different personalities. It’s like meeting the same person in different countries, familiar, but full of surprises in many different avatars.

How to Drink Pinot Noir (and with what)

Pinot Noir is the right choice for savouring the softer side of red wines. Drinking Pinot Noir is less about guzzling and more about slowing down. It’s a wine that asks you to pay attention to its many soft layers.

First things first: don’t serve it too warm. Unlike big and bold reds like Cabernet or Shiraz, Pinot Noir actually shines a little cooler — around 12–14°C or 55–58°F. If your bottle's been sitting out at room temperature (European), pop it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before pouring. Serving at cooler temps helps bring out its fresh red fruit notes and keeps it crisp and balanced on the palate.

Glassware surely matters Like other red wines, Pinot Noir also loves space to breathe. If you have those wide-bowled Burgundy glasses, this is their moment to come out and shine. The shape helps release all the delicate aromas packed in there, think cherries, raspberries, violets, and earthy or umami hints.

Speaking of some really nice glassware, checkout our collection of exquisite and iconic wine & glassware collection - some from Tiffany & Co. , Riedel and others which are hand painted and can be customised as per any occasion. Such special wine gifts are sure to mark a memory and make every sip special.

Now, the most important part - food. Pinot Noir is incredibly food-friendly because it’s light on tannins, bright with acidity and has fresh red fruit notes. That makes it perfect for dishes that would overpower or clash with bolder reds.

Here are a few of my tried and tested favourites:

• Herb Roasted chicken – the fat and flavour pair beautifully with Pinot’s subtle fruit. Saltiness makes the fruit on wine shine more.
• Grilled salmon – surprisingly, red wine with fish can work, and Pinot is the pleasant exception. Savoury and lightly buttery sauce pairs well with Pinot Noir’s fine-drawn flavours and mild tannins.
• Mushroom risotto or truffle pasta – the earthy notes in both food and wine just sing a melody together. Pinot Noir’s earthy character feels at home on palate alongside umami notes of mushroom and truffle.
• Cheeses – think soft and distinctively flavoured Brie, Gruyère, or a creamy goat cheese along with water crackers.

But, if I spoke honestly - Pinot Noir is just as good on its own. It’s a wine that invites quiet moments — the kind you want to enjoy slowly, maybe with a book on a rainy evening, a view from a cozy window seat, or just a little peace at the end of the day.

The Pinot Noir Obsession

“Why People Obsess Over Pinot Noir”

Pinot Noir has a serious fan club and once you’ve had a truly great bottle, you’ll know why. There’s something about it that stays with people. Maybe it’s the way it changes from sip to sip, or how no two bottles ever taste quite the same. Maybe it’s the emotional pull, how it can feel soft, soulful, mystical and expressive all at once. Whatever the reason, Pinot Noir tends to inspire a deep kind of wine love and loyalty.

Wine lovers will travel the world just to visit famous Pinot Noir regions. Some wine collectors spend years hunting down rare bottles from tiny producers in Burgundy. They’re known to invest in wines, for which prices can easily hit stratospheric figures of dollars (think Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, often considered the holy grail of Pinot Noir). Even in places like Oregon or Central Otago in New Zealand, cult, small batch producers have waiting lists and at times,it is not easy to get your hands on those wines.

Part of the Pinot craze was even fuelled by pop culture. Remember the movie Sideways (2004)? The main character’s love for Pinot Noir leading to a total and real snub of Merlot - sparked a gigantic real-world boom in Pinot Noir sales across the U.S. and the wine really did fly off the shelves (NPR, 2014).

But, leaving all the craze and buzz aside, Pinot Noir speaks to people who enjoy wine as an experience, not just a drink. It’s not just about flavour, it’s about feeling.

Because when a wine can move you? That’s when it becomes more than just another bottle. It becomes a story you want to return to and unfold, again and again.

Corton Grancey Grand Cru - This is BURGUNDY ROYALTY.

Produced by Louis Latour, Corton Grancey Grand Cru blends fruit from top notch, sun-exposed vineyard plots on Corton hill. It’s a powerful yet elegant Pinot Noir, with the structure to age beautifully.

Tasting note: Bright cherry and raspberry up front, layered with violet, clove, and a touch of forest floor. Silky tannins and a long, refined finish.

Perfect for gifting or saving for a very special occasion.

Ready to be shipped - straight to your door!

The final pour - It's Worth The Chase

From its delicate flavours and earthy complexity, Pinot Noir is a red that speaks to the soul. Whether you’re sipping a silky Burgundy, a bold Oregon Pinot, or discovering a hidden gem from New Zealand, each glass invites you to decode something special.

So next time you’re choosing a red wine, let Pinot Noir surprise you. It may be finicky to grow and unpredictable in the glass, but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

Ready to explore the world of Pinot Noir? Browse our handpicked Pinot Noir selections, wine gift sets, and more! All curated with care and ready to ship.

Here’s to chasing the mystical red, one beautiful bottle at a time.
And Yes - ‘ DRINK RESPONSIBLY AND TAKE LIFE, ONE SIP AT A TIME”