Pinot Noir is a beautiful, renowned red wine grape variety that is French in origin. Made from these French grapes, Pinot Noir wine is one of the most popular on the planet.

Aside from creating beautiful wines, there is much known about Pinot Noir. Here are 10 wonderful facts to get you better acquainted with the grape and wine:

Pinot Noir Wine Facts:

Named After The Pine Cone:

Bunches or clusters of Pinot Noir grapes resemble a pine cone, due to the tightly packed appearance. Early French winemakers took note of this shape and started to call it Pinot (a term that means “shape of a pine cone”). The word Noir is the French for Black. So, Pinot Noir means – Black Pine Cone.

Pairs Amazingly With Many Foods:

Pinot Noir is an incredibly versatile wine. When it comes to food pairings, it is perfect for game meats, duck and other fatty birds, fatty fish such as salmon and stews. Versatile and diverse, Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with many foods. Duck and pork, even fish pair wonderfully with the dark, full wine.

Best known for the Pinot Noir grape due to climate, Germany, Switzerland, and France dominate the market. Cool climates help facilitate the perfect environment for the growing of this grape.

The Top UK Wineries 2017:

Winbirri Vineyards, Norfolk:

A recent award winner in UK, Winbirri Vineyards is paving the way for a bright future. Decanter World Wine Awards 2017 named Bacchus 2015 as the Platinum Best award for white wine made from a single grape variety. Delicious, crisp, and with an overtone of elder flower, spice, and citrus, this is one wine you simply can’t miss out on!

Winbirri Vineyards are located in Surlingham, in the countryside of East Anglia. This vineyard is a beautiful part of the country and represents it well. Regardless of your reasons for visiting, you can also book one of the vineyard tours or tasting experiences online. In this tour, you are guided around the winery by the Head Winemaker, showing you where the wines are made, how they’re made, and the overall production techniques used, before finishing up in the most popular room – the tasting room! You will be able to sample the local wines produced at the winery, as well as complimenting it all with local cheeses and cured meats. A fantastic day out for wine lovers, and those who simply want to relax and learn something new.

Coates & Seely’s, Whitchurch, Hampshire:

Another award winning wine is produced courtesy of UK winemakers Coates & Seely’s.  The La Perfide Blanc de Blancs 2009 won the prestigious Supreme Champion award at the UK Wine Awards 2017.

This is just one of the many different wines that are produced by the company. All are produced using a blend of high tech and yet ancient techniques.  Ensuring the crisp, fresh taste of the fruit comes through in not only hints, but hues too. Whilst the winery doesn’t run regular tours to book for groups or individuals, there are regular events held at the winery. Checking online to find out what events are going on at any given time.

English wine making with sophistication and a hint of the French expertise about it, is a great way to describe Coates & Seely’s. They are a fantastic choice to add to your visit list, as one of the top UK wineries.

If these wineries interest you, learn about minority owned wineries in the USA!

Bolney Wine Estate, Sussex:

The Foxhole Vineyard Pinot Gris 2016 recently won big at the UK Wine Awards, taking the award for the Best Overall Still Wine. Of course, this isn’t the only wine that the estate produces. Bolney Wine Estate offers a large selection of wines. The great news is that they regular tours, so you can check them all out, in some very opulent surroundings at the same time! Bolney Wine Estate is one of the most beautiful UK wineries.

The Bolney Rose is always a very popular choice amongst the ladies, whilst the Lychgate Red is a big hit for red wine lovers. A tour is obviously the best way to find out which particular wine is your favourite, and you can book online for this special day out. There are various different tours to try, so you simply need to pick the one that is best for you, including short tours, which are quite low in cost, or a day long tasting tour, where you can enjoy afternoon tea thrown in for good measure. Situated in the beautiful Sussex countryside, with rolling hills, and hopefully plentiful blue skies!

The UK has long been a great wine producer. Whilst it has often played second fiddle to countries such as France, Spain, and Italy; England has won many awards in 2017. Ultimately, there is a huge wine making talent and potential in the UK. This talent is only beginning to blossom.

Conclusion:

A wine tour is the ideal day out for relaxation and peace. Not only to enjoy tasting various wines production process, but also get to visit the countryside. In addition, you may enjoy totally fresh air, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.