It’s no secret that Monterey County is producing some of California’s best Pinots. The northernmost areas of Monterey, deemed as on the edge of being too cold to grow winegrapes, are held in high esteem for their exceptional production of Pinot Noir.
The defining characteristic of Monterey Pinot Noir is balance. Fruit flavors, structure and minerality all exhibit themselves so that no single element is deemed more important than another. The grapes are grown, picked on flavor and barrel aged with this concept in mind. Typical Monterey Pinot Noir is made from a blend of clonal selections that add interest and complexity to the wine. Each winemaker follows their instinct and personal preferences to craft a distinctive flavor profile and style for their brand that satisfies their true belief in how Pinot Noir is to be enjoyed and what the grapes and harvest year have offered.
In comparison to the wines of other growing regions, Monterey Pinot Noir will be more fruit forward than a European style due to the longer growing season provided by the Blue Grand Canyon. In contrast to Pinot Noirs grown in new world regions, Monterey Pinot Noir will be more balanced, layered in flavors and subtle in palette. Monterey Pinot Noir should never be mistaken for Merlot, Cabernets or Syrah. It will always be defined by the Pinot Noir grape and what the Monterey growing region allows.
Pure Monterey Pinot Noir will exhibit a fruit profile driven by bing to black cherry, rhubarb and vine grown, dark, bramble cluster fruit, often with a signature spice component, that is determined by the clonal selections and soils in the vineyards. The minerality component is the blend of acidity and alcohol that gives the wine its structure. This allows the fruit characteristics to show and provides the medium for the enjoyment of the wine and its exceptional ability to pair with almost any food. Alcohol will most likely be in the 13.5-14.5 range, but is not usually a defining characteristic.
Monterey Pinot Noir has gained in popularity over the past few years due to its ability to consistently deliver highly rated wines of unique characteristics driven by the growing season. This has made grapes from this region the key component for winemakers wishing to express true nature of Pinot Noir in their wines.
Don’t miss out on Saturday’s Winemakers’ Celebration!
This Saturday’s 20th Annual Winemakers’ Celebration is the perfect opportunity for you to taste your way through the award-winning Pinot Noir of Monterey County. Producers such as Boekenoogen, Carmel Road Winery, Chalone, DeTeirra, Estancia, Franscioni Wines, Hahn Winery, Manzoni Cellars, Morgan Winery, Paraiso Vineyards, Pessagno Winery, and Wrath (among others) will all be sampling their wines.
You can pair your Pinot with the song stylings of local-favorite blues band Red Beans & Rice — they’re guaranteed to get you moving with their up-tempo, danceable tunes.
Red Beans & Rice
And of course, if Pinot’s not your thing, there will be over 40 wineries on hand pouring 150+ wines, so this event is a great way to expand and educate your palate on the wonderful wines coming out of Monterey.
Barnyard Shopping Village restaurants will also be on hand serving up delectable bites. You won’t want to miss this great event!
Tickets are available for purchase at:
http://montereywines.org/annual-events/event/20th-annual-winemakers-celebration/
$35 in advance/ $45 at the door/ $15 designated driver
See you there!
