What an amazing quote! I should get a t-shirt with it! For all of you who saw this great movie (and who have read the follow-up novel, Vertical), there's no need to explain Miles' hate for Merlot and adoration for Pinot Noir, but for the rest of you, I'll try to explain:
Pinot Noir is also called "the king of wines", why? because it is sooo good (that's my explanation, but you might want to look for other, more scientific ones). Anyhow, this grape grows all over the world but it is very difficult to find the right place with the right temperature, and when you find it, and when the wine is well produced, you'll understand why it's called the king of wines.
Some of the difficulties when producing Pinot Noir are: the vines are unstable so they can produce a fruit with a completely different aroma and flavor than the one of the parent vine; it is also very sensitive of the spring frosts (even if it resists cold climates quite well); bugs that can destroy the whole vine; its leaves are not enough to protect the fruit from the birds which can damage them; the presence of a high number of aminoacids make it especially difficult to ferment in a smooth way (this process is very violent in a Pinot Noir); difficult color retention; etc.
Some places where you can find Pinot Noir include:
- Burgundy region, France (but also in the Champagne area, Sancerre and Alsace)
- Australia and New Zealand
- Austria and Germany (where it's called Blauburgunder or Spätburgunder)
- Canada and USA (California and Oregon)
- Italy, obviously (mainly in the South Tyrol in Trentino and in the Oltrepò Pavese region, south of Milan)
The one I'll be writing about is the one from the Südtirol, which is one of my favorite wines.
Südtiroler Blauburgunder D.O.C.
It became a D.O.C. wine around 1975.
Grape(s): Pinot Noir 100%
Production area: Mainly the South of South Tyrol, Überetsch, Bozen valley basin, Adige Valley, Vinschgau.
Terroir: very chalky soils with good drainage. (Pinot Noir reflects the flavor of the soil more than other wines so it is particularly important that the site has these features.)
Features: full-bodied, color variation from ruby red to granate red, firm backbone of tannins, intense and ethereal aroma and flavors of raspberries, berries. The aging may bring hints of cherries and leather.
Food pairing: strong meats, game, roasts, aged cheeses.
When to drink it: It ages well in the bottle. Serve at room temperature, 16-18 C.
My top 2:
- Villa Nigra Cornell (Colterenzio)
- Mason di Mason (Manincor)
Fonts:
http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/pinot.htm
http://www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it/english/our-wines/red-wines/pinot-noir-englisch.html
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