A Wine of Seduction

publication date: Nov 8, 2008

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author/source: Michael J. Bryan

By Michael J. Bryan

Wine enthusiasts agree that the world’s most “sexy” wine is Pinot Noir. Its color belies its intensity. It can be feminine, silky and velvety or it can show musky, earthy and masculine characters. From Oregon to New Zealand to France, Pinot Noir is the wine for all seasons and all occasions.

Pinot Noir shattered the food and wine world by showing that a red wine pairs well with fish. Today, Pinot is de rigueur with planked or grilled salmon, preferably wild caught.

Of all mainstream red wines, it has the highest acid-balance, which is key in food pairing management. And compared to its dark skinned brethren, Pinot wines lack the firm grip of tannin that can be so arresting to drinkers.

Riedel, the producer of the world’s finest wine stemware, created a hand-blown glass for Pinot Noir. Today, it is the only wine glass on display at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Special as that is, if you have $119 you can buy one for yourself.

Finally, Pinot is a worthy pursuit for a winemaker. It is said that Cabernet Sauvignon is “training wheels” for Pinot, meaning, a winemaker is likely to have years of winemaking experience before they attempt a Pinot wine. As such, 13 times as much Chardonnay is made as Pinot Noir, and life begins for a quality one at $16 per bottle.

Michael J. Bryan speaks and writes for the Atlanta Wine School, the Southeast’s largest wine education institution for consumers and the trade. info@atlantawineschool.com