The 18th of August marks International Pinot Noir Day, a time to pay homage to one of the world’s most popular wine grapes and a favourite varietal here at Rochford Wines.
Originating centuries ago from the revered Burgundy wine region in France, Pinot Noir takes its name from the French words for “pine” and “black”, referencing both the pine-cone shaped grape clusters and the deeper colour of the fruit. While Burgundy remains its birthplace, today Pinot Noir is grown extensively in many other cool climate wine regions around the world, including right here in the Yarra Valley.
Brought into Australia in the early 1800s, Pinot Noir (a black thin-skinned wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera) was planted in the Yarra Valley – Victoria’s first wine region and now one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Australia – with the cool climate and soil ideally suited for growing conditions.
At Rochford, Pinot Noir is grown across our diverse single vineyards in the heart of the Yarra Valley – each with distinctly unique microclimates, soils and elevations, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with well-balanced acidity, capturing the essence of each site’s origin.
Often described as “the most romantic of wines”, Pinot Noir is characterised by its delicate flavours of red fruits and spices, soft tannins, high acidity and lighter colour compared to other red wines.
The Rochford Estate Pinot Noir 2021 hasa very fragrant nose of dried rose petals, red plum, warm spicy red berry fruits and a background hint of forest floor. The palate follows a similar path of red berry fruit, particularly raspberries, with a river pebble tannin providing structure. Lively acid gives freshness. This should evolve to be a classic Yarra Pinot Noir.
The Rochford Single Vineyard ‘L’Enfant Unique’ Pinot Noir 2019 is a medium ruby red. Aromas of Asian spice, rose petal potpourri and plush red fruits form a heady bouquet on this Pinot Noir. It is a well formed, relatively muscular Pinot fruit that sits in comfortable repose on a bed of earthy forest floor humus and herby/bracken flavours. A wine to wallow in the sumptuous fruit, savoury mushroom and long spicy oak tannin finish.
Versatile and food-friendly, Pinot Noir can be enjoyed with a wide range of foods from roast meats, rich pasta dishes and casseroles to chocolate-based desserts and a variety of cheeses and cured meats.
Explore our beautiful range of Rochford Pinot Noir today and see why this red varietal is loved by winemakers and enthusiasts globally.
Celebrate International Pinot Noir Day with a visit to the Rochford Cellar Door or shop our extensive Pinot Noir range online here.