Natural Wine Wars: Southern v. Northern Hemisphere Pinot Noir

Two new world, cool climate Pinot Noirs go head to head in this epic natural wine battle.  Watch to find out if the southern hemisphere contender from Tasmania can stand up to our northern hemisphere contender, one of  Willamette Valley's best Biodynamic producers.  

Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Pairings

Hello my fellow wine-lovers.  Today we are getting you ready for your Thanksgiving dinner celebration with two lovely wines.  We will be tasting The Eyrie Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir, and to pair with your Thanksgiving desserts, a wonderful late harvest Riesling from Napa Valley's Frog's Leap Vineyards.  

Cooper Mountain 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir; the second in our serives "These Are a Few of my Favorite Grapes."  What makes Pinot Noir one of my four favorite grape varieties?  I wish there were a simple way to explain, but I guess much of it's beauty lies in it's mystical inexplicability.  To me there is just no other grape that can produce such hauntingly developed bouquets, at the same time showing incredibly pure and delicate expressions of fruit.  When well crafted, Pinot Noirs can truly be wines of contemplation and incredible depth.  The potential range of aromas is stunning running from forest floor, to roses and violets, to tea, to tobacco, and the list goes on and on.  

To be sure, like most great characterful grape varieties, Pinot Noir is prone to being sadly abused by the unskilled and careless winemaker.  It is a delicate and unforgiving grape that demands great skill and patience in both vineyard and cellar.  But when nurtured and handled with care, it can produce a truly magical and transporting elixir.