I have written about some of our state’s terrific, popular hybrids like Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin. Today, I’d like to talk about a grape that is prized around the world, Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is a vinifera grape (one of the more popular grapes which first became popular in Europe). Today, in addition to Burgundy France (its original home) it is produced in Europe, South America, New Zealand and North America (especially Oregon and California). Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile, food-friendly wines in existence. This is a beautiful and famous grape (famous before the cult book and movie, whose lead character is claimed to be responsible for increasing the popularity of Pinot Noir, while simultaneously decreasing significantly the popularity and sales of Merlot). Pinot Noir is a light-bodied red wine. Like all wines, its taste varies dependent upon where it is grown. Many of the New Jersey Pinot Noirs that I have tasted are more like French Pinot Noir, a little more “earthy” than Californian Pinot Noir, though they still maintain the delicious fruit’s flavor.
I thought it was time to highlight what a great job a few of New Jersey’s wineries are doing with this grape. For many years, New Jersey was more known for making sweet wines and wines made with fruits other than grapes or hybrids that fare better in colder climes. Not many winemakers were producing vinifera varieties like Pinot Noir. Even today it is not one of the more popular varieties, due to its thin skin and the difficulties growing this difficult prima donna. However, I want to share my experience with New Jersey Pinot Noir.
I am sure I will not name every winery that produces Pinot Noir in New Jersey, but I really want to share those that I have personally tried recently and emphasize those that are estate grown. All of the wineries mentioned have won awards for their Pinot Noir. A couple of them have recently won acclaim from famous wine writers and critics: The Beneduce Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir (pictured above right) recently received a rating of 93 from James Suckling (international wine critic); and last September Unionville Vineyards received an 89 rating from Mark Squires in Robert Parker’s famed Wine Advocate Magazine.
In addition to Mike Beneduce’s 2015 Pinot Noir, noted above, he also makes two other Pinot Noirs that are very worthy of attention (and consumption). The first is the 2014 Centerfold Pinot Noir. The grapes for this one are grown in California, but they are pressed, fermented and produced at his winery. It is a luscious Pinot. He also makes a unique White Pinot Noir that he calls Tuxedo. The grapes are estate grown and obviously the skins and juice are separated immediately, resulting in a wine that is a “rose gold” color and it is excellent. This might be the ideal lesson for the friend who will only drink white or Rose wine. Serve him or her this one. Then reveal that it is a Pinot Noir. Personally, I think Pinot Noir is the “Gateway” wine for doubting white wine only drinkers. If they don’t like oaky, serve them one (like this) that has been done in stainless steel.
Unionville Vineyards makes a very good Pinot Noir utilizing grapes from all four of their vineyards (as they do with their Chardonnay). They also make a Pinot Noir from a single vineyard, their Pheasant Hill Vineyard. The 2015 Pheasant Hill Pinot Noir was one I would place among my all-time favs from any source. They are sold out of this one, unfortunately, but I believe they may still have other vintages. If they’re gone, don’t forget their other great wines.
You can’t mention New Jersey Pinot Noir without talking about Alba Vineyard & Winery. Alba has the largest acreage of Pinot Noir of any winery in the state (and one of the largest on the East Coast). They produce the wines they do best and Pinot Noir is a great example of this. They presently make two Pinot Noirs. The first is their Estate 2015 Pinot Noir (pictured above left). The second is made with grapes grown on the steepest sloping hillside and they are aged for 30 months in the finest oak barrels. This is their 2014 Grand Reserve Pinot Noir. While I have not yet had the pleasure of trying this one, as good as the 2015 Estate Pinot is, I hope to try it in the near future. Their 2014 Pinot Noir took Best of Show and a Gold Medal at the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition in 2017.
I also can’t forget the second oldest New Jersey winery (Tomasello). Their newest label they call Palmaris, includes a Pinot Noir that is worthy of the other members of the Palmaris line. The Palmaris 2014 Outer Coastal Plain Pinot Noir Reserve won a Gold Medal at the 13th Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition. Their Pinot is a wonderful estate grown Pinot Noir.
Finally, while I’m not sure if it has won awards, Turdo Vineyard & Winery’s Pinot Noir is a wonderful estate grown Pinot Noir, that I have had recently and it has a place in my heart and cellar (though unfortunately, I am currently out of stock).
It is great to see New Jersey wines starting to get the press, recognition and awards for these wonderful Pinot Noirs-not just the other fruit wines and hybrids (which are also good, but don’t have the same versatility and international acceptance as the vinifera wines like Pinot Noir).
Cheers!
I will be giving a talk about New Jersey wines and wineries and my new book, New Jersey Uncorked at the Margaret E. Heggan Free Library in Sewell on Wednesday, 11/28 at 7:00 PM. My book will be for sale immediately following the talk and discussion for $25 (including tax). I cannot accept credit cards. Cash or check only, please. The address of the library is 606 Delsea Drive, Sewell, NJ 08080. If interested, you just need to either register online or by phone at (856) 589-3334.
Tomorrow is Cyber Monday. Don’t forget to use the Coupon for $3 (Holiday18) off if you purchase my book from BookBaby here: store.bookbaby.com/book/New-Jersey-Uncorked
You can also purchase it at Amazon.com (but you cannot use the coupon there).
Don’t forget, if you want the ebook you can still get it for $12.99 at the Apple Books App.
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