Often hailed as the ‘holy grail of grapes’, Pinot Noir (pronounced pee-no-nwar; you’re welcome) is largely grown in Burgundy, France – with varying degrees of difficulty as a notoriously tricky vine to nurture. The grape produces a light-coloured but complex wine with dominant raspberry, cherry and strawberry flavours.
It’s not just France that lays claim to the grape, either: Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and America also produce some stellar examples, while Chile is emerging as a hot ticket for great-value bottles. Only tell who you must.
Drinking-wise, Pinot Noir is usually light- to medium-bodied with low tannins and high acidity, making it gloriously subtle, while booze levels are moderate.
We rather like ours served cooler than room temperature – around 55 degrees ought to do it – to bring out the best of its aromatic profile. When it comes to food, it’s a real crowd-pleaser as it goes with pretty much anything, from meat to fish and veggies, and suits most palates. Interestingly, the grape is key in Champagne and can produce some amazing rosé, which rounds out its reputation as one of the most interesting and versatile wines around.
Cara Lee Dely, head winemaker at Bolney Wine Estate in Sussex, explains: “Pinot Noir comes from ‘pine’ and ‘black’ as the bunches are exceptionally tight, resembling a pinecone, and are often thought of as a delicate variety. It’s grown worldwide in about 25 countries and does very well in cooler climates such as England.
As it ripens easily when growing in a cooler climate, the resulting wines are lighter and more restrained in their elegance with a lovely freshness complemented by slightly lower alcohol levels. When grapes ripen in slightly warmer climates, the wines tend to become bolder and fruitier, which starts to push them into a fuller-bodied style.
Traditionally lower in tannins and well-balanced red, Pinot Noir often appeals to white wine drinkers and complements a wide array of food exceptionally well.
It feels at home in the cooler climates, so serve it at a slightly cooler temperature to enhance the gorgeous characteristics of the wine rather than serving too warm, which can cause the alcohol to stand out too much. Pop the bottle in the fridge for a couple of hours and take it out about 20 minutes before serving. It would do well if it’s decanted, too, and then poured into some lovely large bowl-style burgundy glasses.”
Dely adds: “English sparkling wine has been competing at an international level for some time now, which has undoubtedly contributed to the planting of more Pinot Noir in UK vineyards, but we shouldn’t restrict English winemaking to a particular style or grape variety just yet. The English winemaking industry is still regarded as up-and-coming, which means that we should continue to push the boundaries on the types of wine that are produced here.
Recently, there’s been more of a spotlight on Essex, the drier and sunnier county proving to grow some of the best quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in England for still wines and the resulting bottles are on the way to challenge many top-end wines in the international market.
England might be relatively young on the winemaking scene, but this means we can learn a great deal from what’s gone before, and there’s a very exciting journey ahead of us.”
Here, we pour over the best Pinots to try and buy from supermarket steals to luxury heavyweights and homegrown heroes. Time to pop a Pinot.
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The Ned Pinot Noir
A classic Pinot Noir with a fruit-driven profile, The Ned is smooth and light-bodied with smoky oak notes and raspberry and cherry fruit flavours on the palate. A subtle savoury taste adds a surprising twist.
Buy now £14.99, Waitrose Cellar
Bolney Estate Pinot Noir 2022
Medium-bodied with a silky texture, this mouthwatering Pinot Noir is from The Bolney Estate in Sussex and offers complex fruit flavours of fresh blackcurrant and fig. They suggest it has good ageing potential but, really, who can wait?
Buy now £29.99, Majestic
El Sabio Pinot Noir 2021
Serve this easy-going Pinot Noir slightly chilled to bring out the best of its ripe strawberry and red cherry flavours. Wickedly drinkable.
Buy now £11.99, Virgin Wines
Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2022
Everyone’s favourite white is now available as a charismatic Pinot Noir with vivid flavours of red cherry and raspberry dusted with smooth spice.
Buy now £13.00, Tesco
Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir
Juicy and enticing with fresh red berry aromas underpinned by savoury notes and spicy oak, Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir is a bottle to buy. Seriously smooth on the palate.
Buy now £12.99, Waitrose Cellar
Stepp Pinot Noir Sandstein Vineyard 2020
This Pinot from Pfalz, Germany – yes, really – is characterised by intense aromas of ripe forest berries and raspberry leaf resulting in a good texture and persistent finish. A wild-card that rewards you in spades.
Buy now £27.99, Naked Wines
Harvey Nichols Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020
Super with seafood like tuna and salmon, this Pinot Noir from Harvey Nicks via Marlborough, New Zealand, is all raspberry, spiced plum, cherry compote and smoked meats on the palate. The last word in Kiwi cool.
Buy now £21.00, Harvey Nichols
The King’s Wrath
We love the name of this Pinot Noir that packs a punch thanks to a rich and fruity palate of blackberry and cassis complemented by oak and a long, spicy finish. Testament to the talent of winemaker Brent Marris in New Zealand’s famed wine-making region of Marlborough.
Buy now £18.00, Ocado
Te Awanga Organic Wildsong Pinot Noir 2021
This Pinot is a conversation-starter at any dinner party with a medium-bodied profile and herbaceous flavour that stand up to the likes of lamb, beef, venison or duck. Flavours of black cherry, violet and liquorice make it a foodie find.
Buy now £18.95, Abel and Cole
Co-op Irresistible Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir
Light and lovely, Co-op Irresistible Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir is a multi-award-winning wine full of ripe cherry aromas and refreshing, fruity flavours. Chill it down before pouring.
Buy now £8.50, Co-op
Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir Couvent des Jacobins 2022
Classic Burgundy and typical Jadot, this Pinot Noir is soft in texture but full of juicy berry fruits and oak with layers of spice. Brilliant with a beef bourguignon.
Buy now £24.00, Fenwick
Escarpment Noir Pinot Noir
With grapes sourced from Martinborough in New Zealand, this Pinot is fruit-first with savoury and spicy notes. Down the hatch.
Buy now £19.99, Waitrose Cellar
Asda Extra Special North Canterbury Pinot Noir
North Canterbury, north of Christchurch in New Zealand, is the birthplace of this Pinot Noir in the Extra Special range by Asda. It might be lesser-known than other regions, but this bottle certainly doesn’t disappoint with dark fruit and savoury spice on the palate. A cracking wine for a cracking price.
Buy now £10.25, Asda
Jackson Estate Somerset Pinot Noir 2016/17
Less than 300 cases from only the best vintages are made of this Pinot featuring intense, concentrated red-fruit character with aromas of rose petal and spicy notes.
Buy now £26.99, Majestic
Champagne Bollinger PN AYC 18 Brut 75cl
A full-bodied and complex Champagne from Bollinger brimming with notes of red cherry, plum and orchard fruit with a vivacious and creamy palate. Who needs to wait for a celebration?
Buy now £82.49, The Bottle Club
Gerard Bertrand Domaine de l’Aigle Pinot Noir
Spicy aromas on the nose meet juicy, red-fruit flavours on the palate and toasty, peppery notes on the finish in this organic Pinot Noir.
Buy now £26.00, Ocado
Solas Pinot Noir
Meaning ‘light’ in Irish and ‘joy’ in old French, Solas has a natural, organic feel with hints of wild strawberry, rosemary and black tea. Wonderfully fresh and smooth. A case is a cracking investment.
Buy now £70.50, Vine Whisperer
Mt Difficulty ‘Bannockburn’ Pinot Noir
Hailing from Central Otago – a region of New Zealand known for producing Burgundy-like bottles – this Pinot is intense but light with elegant aromas of spice and cherry with savoury flavours of mushroom that lend themselves perfectly to Sunday roasts and the like.
Buy now £29.99, The Wine Flyer
M&S Creation Pinot Noir
This South African Pinot serves up a bright and silky texture with flavours of red berry, vanilla and wood spice that provide a perfect pairing for mild curries or meaty casseroles.
Buy now £15.00, Ocado
Bread & Butter Pinot Noir
As its name suggests, Bread & Butter Pinot Noir is lipsmackingly juicy with cherries, raspberries and a touch of cassis followed by rich, fresh-fruit flavours. A luscious pick.
Buy now £15.49, The Wine Flyer
Tread Softly Everything Except Non Alcoholic Pinot Noir 2022
While over a tenner might sound expensive for a non-alcoholic Pinot Noir, what this bottle from Aussie brand Tread Lightly doesn’t have in booze it certainly makes up for in fruity vibrancy. Smooth, bright and oh-so delicious.
Buy now £10.48, Zero Zilch Zip
Apus Pinot Noir 2022
Named after a constellation in the southern hemisphere that overlooks the vines at a crucial time during their growth, Apus Pinot Noir 2022 boasts complex flavours and exceptional balance. Expect aromas of strawberry and raspberry with plush fruit and bright acidity on the palate. Perfect with a Sunday roast.
Buy now £7.79, Warehouse Wines
Gusbourne Pinot Noir Twenty Twenty Two
While it’s certainly not cheap at £40, this homegrown Pinot Noir from Gusbourne – the Kentish producers – is proof that you get what you pay for with a soft and elegant wine bursting with ripe berry, black plum and wild strawberry flavours. The bottle looks beautiful served up in the centre of the table, too.
Buy now £40.00, Gusbourne
Adnams Central Otago Pinot Noir
Award-winning for good reason, this Pinot Noir from Adnams is bursting with dried strawberry and raspberry with light, bright flavours that make it the epitome of easy drinking. The perfect accompaniment to soft, creamy cheeses. Delish.
Buy now £19.99, Adnams
Hattingley Valley Still Pinot Noir 2022
Made from 100 per cent Pinot Noir grapes, Still by Hampshire producers Hattingley Valley is bright ruby with aromas of red fruit and flavours of candied cherry, cooked fruit and dark chocolate. Seriously drinkable with a stunning bottle to boot.
Buy now £28.00, Hattingley Valley
