Starting at less than $20, these wines prove there really is a pinot for everyone.
Whenever pinot noir comes up, it’s often all about how it’s a lighter red wine. This may be true, but it probably puts off a lot of people who enjoy bigger reds. While that leaves more pinot for the rest of us, this incredible variety has so many other traits that should appeal to everyone. For starters, there are pretty aromatics, delicate spice and bright fruit flavours like cherry, raspberry and cranberry. Then there are its calling-card earthy, gamey and savoury notes that bring depth and complexity. Throw in some super-fine tannins and lively acidity, and you’ve got a very enticing wine.
But don’t just take our word for it. If you’re newer to this revered variety (it’s behind some of the world’s best wines from France’s Burgundy), we’ve pulled together 25 highlight pinot noirs for all budgets, starting at less than $20. And if you’re already a fan, you’ll want to bookmark these wines for when you’re next choosing a bottle. There are so many different pinot styles, it’s worth branching out every now and again.
As for the best food matches for pinot noir, you have so many options. Get out the charcuterie or boil up some dumplings to go with your choice of pinots. You might prefer to pick up some barbecued duck or char siu pork from your local Chinese restaurant. Or if you feel like cooking, consider salmon, mushroom risotto or a herby ragu, but you can also dial it in with some good woodfired pizzas, too. All of it will work a treat with the following wines.
Pinot noir is a tricky grape that loves a cooler climate. It needs a little extra TLC in the vineyard as well as in the winery compared to other varieties, and that’s part of the reason there isn’t always a huge choice of pinots sitting under $20. The good news, though, is there are some standouts that really deliver at this price.
If you’re keen for an intro to Yarra Valley pinot – one of this Victorian region’s flagship varieties – seek out the Yering Station Little Yering. It’s bright and perfumed, with all those tangy red fruit and savoury flavours. And the Robert Oatley Signature Series Pinot Noir is a very approachable, juicy style that absolutely belongs on the table at your next long lunch.
If you can push out the budget to a $30 spend, you’ve got a happy hunting ground for pinot noir. Here, you can expect wines that really express their region and where they were grown, and this selection reflects some key pinot regions, too.
There’s the Yarra Valley again, as well as Tasmania, with Devil’s Corner a prime local pick at this price. Expect generous fruit flavours and a good lick of spice, too. And if you usually go for a bigger kind of red wine, the Penfolds Max’s Pinot Noir should meet the darker, savoury brief.
It’s not just Australia that makes brilliant pinot noir over this side of the world – New Zealand produces some excellent examples. The Te Kairanga from Martinborough is all earthy aromas and vibrant red-fruit flavours, but if you prefer bolder red wines, the two wines from Central Otago might just be for you.
The Black Grape Society is a little more intense than you might expect, with flavours of cherry, dark chocolate and plum wrapped up in a plush, complex finish. The Mt Difficulty is all blue and black fruits with warm earthy spices in the mix.
Anyone with a pineapple burning a hole in their pocket would do well to use that $50 on one of these pinots. The following wines are premium expressions of their sites and regions.
These five wines include New Zealand producers, with Rockburn up there as one of the nation’s best. There are also wines from Tasmania and the Mornington Peninsula, another of Victoria’s key pinot regions (we love the Onannon). They all slightly differ in style, but still manage to deliver delicate notes and smooth sipping.
Okay, now we’re in serious pinot territory, and it’s safe to say these are all worth the splurge. Once again, Tasmania shines in this selection, with its cool climate and growing conditions perfect for pinot noir. Freycinet is one of our best pinot producers, and this wine is all dark cherries and forest berries, with a driving acidity that balances it all out.
The pinot noir from Levantine Hill is an excellent example of everything the Yarra Valley brings to this variety, while the Domaine A pinot is a little more full-bodied than the average, while still ensuring a vibrancy and freshness to the wine.
