Pinot Noir is a grape that I find fascinating , not only because it produces some of the greatest wine in the world, but it has a lightness and ethereal character that keeps you coming back for more.

Pinot Noir is a grape variety that is native to Burgundy, France. It can excel when Mother Nature provides the region with perfect growing conditions for the grape. That is just enough sun, with a dry, cool climate allowing for a long slow ripening period. Pinot Noir is finicky, demanding absolute perfect conditions to ripen fully. It's skin is thin making it susceptible to rot in humid environments, along with not being able to withstand excessive heat and hot sun.

Characteristics of the grape include aromas of raspberry, strawberry, cherry, lilac and forest floor, leather, even mushroom with an aged wine. Often finished wines are referred to in terms of texture, such as silk or satin.

Burgundy, France sets a standard for excellence with Pinot Noir wines, where the grape originated. On a fault line in an area known as the Côte d'Or , is where you will find some of the highest expressions possible in this grape. On marl and limestone soils that originated 180 to 170 million years ago, Cisterian monks have created 100% varietal wines  here since 200 AD.
Vineyard land is segmented in a hierarchy from Grand Cru, Premier Cru, and Village wines, with Grand Cru coming from the most exceptional vineyards, with perfect eastern exposure to the sun. The wines here can age for decades developing layers of complexities. Out of the top fifty most expensive wines in the world, two thirds are Burgundy. At a recent auction, Henri Jayer's 1987 Richebourg Grand Cru, from Domaine de la Romanee Conti, received $14,397 a bottle!
While these wines are obviously out of reach, with the exception of the extraordinarily wealthy, good Burgundy can be experienced at Village level for about $30.00 a bottle.

Other regions in the United States, such as Willamette Valley in Oregon, along with California's Central Coast, Carneros, Russian River, and Santa Barbera are also producing an array of delicious Pinot Noir.
Willamette, Oregon is most notably compared to that of Burgundy in regards to climate. Here the wines must be composed of  90%  of the grape variety, with quality conscience producers still making the wines with 100% of the grape variety.
In California many bargains can be found, but buyer beware, generally the fruity less expensive wines only need to be composed of 75% of Pinot Noir, with darker, richer grapes masking the subtlety of the Pinot Noir can offer.

You can find  Pinot Noir in many parts of the world such as Champagne producing delicious Blanc de Noirs Sparkling wines, Spatburgunder in Germany's cool marginal climate,  and New Zealand's Central Otago and Martinbourough, making wines with thrilling intensity.

One thing is for certain, there is much to be explored in this single grape variety. Once you discover it for yourself, it may too, become one of your personal favorites.