Pinot Noir is a red wine grape variety that is grown in several countries, including France, Italy, Germany, the United States, and New Zealand. It is a delicate grape that requires a cool climate and specific soil conditions to thrive. Pinot Noir is known for producing some of the world's most elegant and complex red wines, with flavors ranging from cherry and strawberry to earthy and spicy notes. It is a popular grape among winemakers and wine lovers alike, and its versatility makes it an excellent wine to pair with a variety of foods.

The 18 Best Pinot Noir You Should Drink 

• Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir: This wine is produced in California's Central Coast region and has a delicious blend of black cherry, cola, and cinnamon flavors.
• Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir: This Oregon Pinot Noir has flavors of blackberry, plum, and black tea with a long, smooth finish.
• Failla Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir: This wine has a rich, fruit-forward flavor profile with notes of black cherry, raspberry, and spice.
• Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir: This wine has a smooth, silky texture with flavors of red berries, earthy notes, and a hint of vanilla.
• La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir: This wine has a bright, juicy flavor profile with notes of strawberry, raspberry, and a hint of spice.
• Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: This wine has a complex, layered flavor profile with notes of cherry, plum, and earthy tones.
• Mount Eden Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir: This wine has a bold flavor profile with notes of dark fruit, earthy tones, and a hint of smoke.
• Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: This wine has a rich, velvety texture with flavors of black cherry, plum, and spice.
• Penner-Ash Estate Pinot Noir: This wine has a deep, rich flavor profile with notes of black cherry, plum, and a hint of chocolate.
• Ponzi Vineyards Tavola Pinot Noir: This wine has a fresh, fruit-forward flavor profile with notes of red berries, plum, and a hint of spice.
• Ridge Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir: The flavor profile of this wine is full-bodied and robust, with hints of cherry, blackberry, and earth.
• Soter North Valley Pinot Noir: The flavor profile of this wine is vibrant and juicy, with hints of cherry, raspberry, and spice.
• Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir: This wine has a complex, layered flavor profile with notes of black cherry, vanilla, and earthy tones.
• Tendril Wines Tightrope Pinot Noir: This wine has a rich, full-bodied flavor profile with notes of blackberry, plum, and a hint of spice. 
• The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir: With flavors of raspberry, cranberry, and a faint trace of spice, this wine has a vibrant, fresh flavor profile.
• Walt La Brisa Sonoma County Pinot Noir: This wine has a smooth, silky texture with flavors of black cherry, vanilla, and a hint of spice.
• Wayfarer Vineyard Pinot Noir: This wine has a complex, layered flavor profile with notes of dark fruit, earthy tones, and a hint of spice.
• Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir: This wine has a bright, fresh flavor profile with notes of red berries, earthy tones, and a hint of spice.

The Top Pinot Noir Regions to Visit for Wine Lovers

• Burgundy, France: This is the most famous Pinot Noir region in the world and for a good reason. The region produces some of the world's most exquisite and expensive Pinot Noirs, with flavors ranging from light and fruity to rich and complex. The region is divided into five sub-regions, each with its unique style and flavor profile.
• Willamette Valley, Oregon: This region has a cooler climate, making it an ideal location for growing Pinot Noir. The wines produced here are known for their earthy tones and bright, fruity flavors. Willamette Valley has more than 500 wineries, making it a popular destination for wine lovers.
• Sonoma County, California: This region has a diverse landscape and produces a range of wines, including Pinot Noir. The wines produced here have a rich, fruity flavor profile, with notes of black cherry, plum, and spice. Sonoma County has over 400 wineries, making it a popular destination for wine lovers.
• Central Otago, New Zealand: This is the southernmost wine region in the world and the only one in New Zealand that produces Pinot Noir. The region has a unique climate and soil, making it ideal for growing the grape. The wines produced here are known for their spicy, fruit-forward flavor profile.
• Yarra Valley, Australia: This region is known for producing some of the best Pinot Noir in Australia. The wines produced here are elegant, with a bright, fruity flavor profile and a hint of spice. The region has over 70 wineries, making it a popular destination for wine lovers.
• Ahr Valley, Germany: This region is known for producing some of the best Pinot Noir in Germany. The wines produced here have a delicate flavor profile, with notes of red berries and a hint of spice. The Ahr Valley is a small region with around 500 hectares of vineyards.
• Marlborough, New Zealand: This region is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, but it also produces some fantastic Pinot Noir. The wines produced here have a bright, fruity flavor profile with notes of raspberry and strawberry.
• Russian River Valley, California: This region is known for producing some of the best Pinot Noir in California. The wines produced here have a rich, velvety texture, with flavors of black cherry, plum, and spice.
• Casablanca Valley, Chile: This region is known for its cool climate, making it ideal for growing Pinot Noir. The wines produced here have a fresh, fruity flavor profile, with notes of cherry and raspberry.
• Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa: This region is known for producing some of the best Pinot Noir in South Africa. The wines produced here have a rich, fruity flavor profile, with notes of black cherry, plum, and spice.

The Best Pinot Noir Food Pairings for Every Occasion

• Grilled Salmon: Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with grilled salmon, which has a rich, buttery texture that complements the wine's acidity. The wine's flavors of red berries and earthy notes also complement the flavors of the fish.
• Roast Duck: Pinot Noir's earthy and fruity notes make it a great match for roast duck, which has a rich and gamey flavor. The wine's acidity also helps to cut through the duck's fat and bring out its flavors.
• Mushroom Risotto: Pinot Noir's earthy notes and high acidity make it a great match for mushroom risotto. The wine's fruity flavors also complement the rich and creamy texture of the risotto.
• Charcuterie Board: Pinot Noir pairs well with a charcuterie board, which includes a variety of meats and cheeses. The wine's acidity and tannins help to cut through the richness of the meat and cheese, while its fruity notes complement the flavors of the food.
• Grilled Steak: Pinot Noir pairs well with grilled steak, which has a rich and meaty flavor. The wine's tannins also help to cut through the fat in the steak and bring out its flavors.
• Peking Duck: Pinot Noir's fruity and earthy notes make it a great match for Peking Duck, which has a sweet and savory flavor. The wine's acidity also helps to cut through the duck's fat and bring out its flavors.
• Wild Mushroom Pizza: Pinot Noir's earthy notes and high acidity make it a great match for a wild mushroom pizza. The wine's fruity flavors also complement the flavors of the mushrooms and the cheese.
• Beet Salad: Pinot Noir pairs well with beet salad, which has a sweet and earthy flavor. The wine's high acidity also helps to cut through the sweetness of the beets and bring out their flavors.
• Grilled Vegetables: Pinot Noir's earthy and fruity notes make it a great match for grilled vegetables, which have a smoky and charred flavor. The wine's acidity also helps to cut through the richness of the vegetables and bring out their flavors.
• Dark Chocolate: Pinot Noir pairs well with dark chocolate, which has a bitter and rich flavor. The wine's fruity and earthy notes also complement the flavors of the chocolate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pinot Noir is a popular red wine grape that has gained global recognition for its delicate and elegant wines. It is a challenging grape to grow and requires specific climate and soil conditions to produce high-quality grapes. However, when grown in the right conditions, Pinot Noir can produce some of the world's most complex and delicious wines with a range of flavors and aromas. Its versatility in pairing with a variety of foods makes it a popular choice among wine enthusiasts. Overall, Pinot Noir remains a popular and respected grape variety that continues to be sought after by wine lovers around the world.