Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the elegant “heartbreak grape,” cherished for its delicate grace and expressive charm. Its name comes from the French words for “pine cone” (pinot) and “black” (noir), nodding to its tightly packed, dark clusters. This ancient vine, traced back to Roman-era Burgundy, is considered one of the oldest cultivated varieties, and is the cornerstone of Burgundy’s renowned reds.
Typically light to medium-bodied with high acidity, Pinot Noir offers red fruit aromas like cherry, raspberry, cranberry, alongside earthy undertones of mushroom and forest floor. Subtle notes of vanilla, clove, or spice appear when aged in oak.
Affordable examples come from cool climates like Oregon, New Zealand, and southern England, delivering finesse and food-friendliness.
Perfect for UK tables, Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with salmon, roast duck, mushroom dishes, and soft cheeses like Brie or goat’s cheese, thanks to its light tannins and vibrant acid.
Albury Rosso Vermouth 50cl (6 Bottles) Guildford, Surrey, England
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This sweet vermouth has been hand-crafted from distilled Sauvignon wine, blended with Pinot Noir and carefully selected botanical infusions of herbs, spices and citrus peel.
Beautifully bitter wormwood aromas are intertwined with dark notes of cacao and coffee, creamy undertones of vanilla, earthy rooibos tea leaves, and sweetness from caramelised Albury honey. A warming melange of spices including cassia bark, orange peel, nutmeg and ginger are underpinned by herbal flavours of honeybush leaf, lemon balm and meadowsweet for added complexity.
Amber Valley Amara Pinot Noir Précoce 2023 (6 Bottles) Wessington, Derbyshire, England
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Amber Valley Pinot Noir Précoce 2023 is an exceptional expression of Midlands-grown Pinot Noir Précoce, crafted as a collaborative masterpiece between Amber Valley Wines and talented winemaker Jack Abbotts at Three Choirs Vineyard.
It displays a vibrant ruby hue with garnet reflections. The nose is elegant and aromatic, showcasing morello cherries, ripe red fruits, and a subtle hint of blackberries. Delicate spiced notes of allspice and vanilla emerge, layered with earthy undertones that hint at its barrel maturation.
On the palate, the wine is beautifully balanced, with a soft, velvety texture and graceful tannins. The red fruit core is complemented by gentle spice and a whisper of oak-driven vanilla. The acidity is well-integrated, offering freshness while supporting the wine’s structure.
The malolactic fermentation and oak ageing contribute to a rounded, harmonious body with a touch of complexity. The finish is long and refined, with lingering notes of cherry, spice, and a touch of earthiness that promises graceful ageing potential.
A versatile partner, it pairs perfectly with rosemary roast lamb, game dishes, grilled pork, roast salmon, or earthy mushroom-based cuisine. Its elegance and structure also make it a delightful wine to savor on its own. This is a stunning Midlands Pinot Noir Précoce, showcasing exceptional terroir and meticulous craftsmanship, offering both immediate pleasure and the potential for further development.
Harrow & Hope Blanc de Noirs 2019 (6 Bottles) Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England
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After the bold, broad, and almost brutish 2018 release, the 2019 is cut from a different cloth. A cooler and less abundant year suited the Pinot considerably better than the Chardonnay.
80% of this wine is fermented using natural wild yeast in a selection of different-sized oak barrels. It certainly has that signature Pinot intensity but is wrapped in an elegant and refined structure that is a hallmark of 2019. For those who remember 2015, this is very similar in structure and a wine that continues to develop a singular identity that makes it stand out from the crowd, no doubt our most complex wine to date.
