Fruit

Pinot Noir

S tier

Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned, early-ripening red wine grape celebrated for red-fruit perfume, silky texture potential, and site sensitivity—hard to grow, coveted when fine. Berries are small and dark; colour extraction is moderate. Fresh eating is secondary to wine, though ripe vineyard fruit is sweet-tart and fragrant. Culinary pairing follows the wine: salmon, duck, mushrooms, and earthy vegetable dishes. Reductions should be gentle so volatile fruit is not scorched into bitterness. Avoid treating Pinot as a heavy tannin red in sauce work.