Wednesday, November 9, 2011

{Wine Label} Lionel Dufour "Les années folles" Bourgogne Pinot Noir






Lionel Dufour designed a collection of 6 Bourgogne labels, all inspired by the 1920s, also known as "les Années folles"  (the roaring twenties). Pinot Noir is, generally speaking, my least favorite type of red wine, but I still enjoy a cool label when I see one, Pinot Noir or not. Please feel free to send Pinot Noir recommendations my way, I've yet to meet  one I have really enjoyed :)

10 interesting facts about Pinot Noir:

1. The name is derived from the French words for "pine" and "black" alluding to the varietals' tightly clustered dark purple, pine cone-shaped bunches of fruit. (Wikipedia.com)

2. Pinot Noir pairs best with buttery, bold textures like lamb, duck, and for the vegetarian, vegetables like Portobello mushrooms or pasta with red sauce.

3. Pinot Noir grapes have a mind of their own and this variety is one of the most difficult to cultivate and transform into wine.

4. Pinot Noir is meant to be drunk today. Unlike other red wines, its life does not improve after 10 years of lying down.

5. The juice of the pinot berry is clear, not red - the thin skin gives it color during the fermentation process.

6. Pinot Noir is grown around the world and is known to be one of the oldest grape varieties. France, Oregon, Washington and California have the best climates for making the best Pinot Noir.

7. Pinot Noir has been grown in France for nearly 2000 years, but it wasn't until the 1990's that it became popular in California, and the rest of the world.

8. The reputation that gets pinot noir so much attention, however, is owed to the wines of Burgundy (Bourgogne), France.

9. Pinot Noir red wines are among the most expensive in the world because of the difficulty in cultivating the grapes.

10. A Pinot Noir's color can be any of a range of colors - from cherry red to puple-red and even brown as the wine ages.

So, what are YOUR thoughts on Pinot Noir...?

No comments:

Post a Comment