If you have seen the movie Sideways, then you are familiar with the reputation of the wine grape pinot noir.

Wines made from this tiny black fruit take dedication, passion and some luck. Pinot noir has a temperamental nature which makes it a pain to grow, difficult to turn into wine and inconsistent in flavor once bottled.

Despite the labor involved, pinot noirs are some of the world’s most highly-prized and wonderful tasting wines.

To make a considerable generalization, pinot noir is a light-bodied, semi-dry red wine with soft tannins and flavors of fruits like strawberry, dark cherry and raspberry. Pinots pair well with delicate foods like mushrooms, duck and salmon. However, each pinot noir differs drastically?this wine is one of the most responsive to the soil and climate in which it’s grown.
Since its establishment in 1984 as an internationally recognized wine growing region, the Willamette Valley of Oregon has produced award-winning pinot noir wines that can rival the Grand Cru’s of France. The cool, wet climate surrounding the Willamette River in Oregon is perfect for growing pinot.

Erath Oregon Pinot Noir 2005

Showing soft burgundy color in glass, Dick Erath’s 2005 pinot noir is ripe with aromas of cedar, raspberry and vanilla. On the palate, raspberry, ripe tomato and anise (black licorice), mix nicely. Time spent in used French oak barrels imparts a light vanilla flavor that compliments but doesn’t overpower the fruit.
Silky in texture, this pinot is a great example of a light-bodied Oregon pinot noir ($18.99 Stones River Total Beverages).

Benton-Lane Estate Pinot Noir 2004

If a fuller-styled pinot is your sort of thing, Benton-Lane’s Estate pinot noir ($24.99, CNG Wine & Spirits) is a sophisticated wine with a lot of great flavor. Deep ruby in color, this pinot pops with strawberry, raspberry, cinnamon and humidor smells. Tasting reveals ripe berries, vanilla (from French oak barrels), hints of cherry and peppermint with a smooth texture and spicy finish.
This Oregon pinot noir is both complex and a perfect match for mushroom risotto.

Heron Pinot Noir France 2004

Laely Heron is one of world’s few female winemakers and the 2004 pinot noir from her French vineyards shows that women too (as if there was a doubt), can excel in the world of wine. Garnet in color this pinot smells of dark cherries, violet and vanilla (French oak). Raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and herb notes are sprinkled throughout this nicely flavored wine.
Soft and silky in texture with a hint of dryness, this is a great value pinot noir ($13.99 at CNG).