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New Wave Pinot Noir

bold new style of Pinot has been bursting from the New World. These ripe fruit Pinot Noir wines have been coming from regions such as Napa Valley, California and Marlborough, New Zealand. The style is fruit forward and tends to have quite high alcohol levels. It is very different to the more traditional and 'elegant' Burgundy style which typically has higher acidity, less fruit and lower alcohol, and has helped open the door to new Pinot Noir drinkers. This new wave Pinot Noir is being grown in regions previously thought to be too warm for it - because Pinot Noir ripens quickly it tends to be grown in cool regions that result in a longer time to ripen. By growing in warmer climates the grapes ripen quickly to the same point they would normally be picked in cooler climates. However with less risk from adverse weather, the grapes can be left on the vine for even longer. When finally picked these sun-baked sugar bombs are shaped into powerful fruity Pinot with the sugar levels converting to a higher alcohol wine. These wines are great to drink young as can be seen by the ratings below for Spy Valley's 2003 Pinot Noir. The only downside to these wines is the reduced ageing potential. As the wine matures and the fruit naturally decreases that high alcohol starts to stand out and the wine can lose some of its balance and appeal. Rippon's Pinot Noir from Otago, is far more Burgundian in style and more likely to age reflecting the great scope out there for different Pinot Noir styles.