10 Best Pinot Noir Wines For Beginners

Commonly referred to as the heartbreak grape due to its finicky nature in the vineyard and in the cellar, pinot noir is one of a kind. It's grown around the globe, although over two-thirds of it is grown in France, namely in Burgundy. For consumers who have yet to delve into the world of pinot, there are plenty of options to sample, from savory, earthy takes to fruit-dominant bottles. I've had the chance of sampling pinot noir from dozens of countries, and have even worked a harvest in its homeland in Burgundy.

With first-hand experience as well as knowledge gained from my education as a Certified Specialist of Wine and WSET Level 3 holder, I put together a list of pinot noir bottles that are perfect for beginners. These wines span the important international pinot growing regions, showcasing the grape's multitudes. I've chosen bottles ranging from more basic entry-level options to finer wines that are still within reach. Although pinot noir from Burgundy commands some of the highest prices of any wine anywhere, I've stuck to more affordable options that are suitable for people looking for an introduction to the variety. Here are the pinot noir bottles that beginners should try.

Viñedos Veramonte is located in Chile's cool climate Casablanca Valley, where pinot noir excels thanks to the mild growing conditions influenced by the Pacific Ocean. The winery practices organic, sustainable, and biodynamic farming, ensuring that the terroir thrives and is showcased optimally in the wines. The estate-grown pinot noir is an excellent example of Casablanca pinot, displaying a fresh and delicate palate.

The wine is fermented using native yeast, in order to truly express the vineyards. Due to low yields in the vineyard, the wine boasts a concentrated and structured essence. After fermentation, it spends six months maturing in neutral oak barrels, resulting in smooth tannins. The wine features fruity aromas of raspberry, red cherry, strawberry, and cranberry, along with woodsy notes and hints of baking spice that add complexity to the palate. This pinot is a great introduction to cool-climate styles, and since it lacks a hefty price tag, it's especially approachable for beginners. Serve it with risotto or pasta dishes for a seamless pairing that elevates both the food and wine.

Burgundy is a key region to explore the nuances of pinot noir, as it has origins dating back over 2,000 years. Although there are plenty of important winemakers making small volumes of high-end wines, it's also possible to spend a reasonable amount on a bottle of Burgundian pinot from a reputable producer. Maison Louis Latour was founded over 200 years ago and has since remained a key producer in Burgundy as well as in other regions in France. The winery is still family-owned and continues to promote the original values that have been cemented in its tradition.

The Bourgogne Pinot Noir is made with fruit sourced from across Burgundy, offering a broad taste of the region. The wine is fermented and then aged for up to a year in stainless steel tanks, leaving a freshness on the palate. Notes of red fruits are prominent, along with hints of black currant, licorice, and spice. The acidity is well balanced and the tannins are soft, making this an all-around crowd-pleasing pinot noir to serve with a range of foods, like roast chicken or a mushroom stew.

Patz & Hall was recently repurchased by its original winemaker as an independent winery. In total, it's been crafting quality wines for almost half a century. It has a focus on pinot noir and chardonnay, which has been built over years of understanding the characteristics of the surrounding terroir. It obtains grapes from numerous growers in the California wine country, who all share a respect for the land and its unique features. In the cellar, Patz & Hall focuses on blending modern innovation with tradition while ensuring that the fruit and vineyards speak for themselves.

Patz & Hall's Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a prime example of a cool climate pinot noir that showcases the coastal terroir of Sonoma with fruit sourced from a number of growers. The wine is fermented and matured in partially new French oak barrels and left unfiltered to retain its essence. Notes of juicy red fruit, like cherry, strawberry, and cranberry, mingle with hints of rose and baking spices like cinnamon and clove. The wine is bright and fresh thanks to the cool climate acidity, with smooth tannins that make it a great pairing for food. Try it with grilled salmon or a charcuterie board.

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, which has shown an interest in the subtle nuances of vineyard terroir since its inception, has continued to showcase the best of the Russian River Valley. The winery exclusively produces pinot noir and chardonnay from the region's top vineyards, ensuring each one tells a unique story. Consequently, minimal intervention practices are used during the growing season, allowing the fruit to shine. The Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a fine example of the appellation, showcasing it as an optimal source of pinot noir.

After fermentation, the wine is aged in partially new French oak barrels for just over a year, adding structure to the palate. The wine is elegant and fresh, with notes of dark fruits like black cherry, blackberry, and pomegranate, along with savory hints of cedar, earth, and baking spice. Thanks to an early harvest, the acidity is well balanced, adding brightness to the wine. This Russian River Valley Pinot Noir highlights the region as a top producer of this variety, making it an excellent wine for beginners to sample. Whether you're serving it with roast pork or grilled vegetables, this wine is going to be a winner at the dinner table.

Erath Winery has been an Oregon institution since the end of the '60s, promoting the Willamette Valley as a source of fantastic pinot noir. With the unique terroir of the region balancing optimal soil, elevation, and coastal influence, pinot noir is at home here, as Erath displays with its wine. This follows in the cellar, where the winemaker focuses on displaying Oregon's terroir at its prime by maintaining the purity of the fruit. Erath wines are approachable and representative of the region, making them excellent for beginners.

Erath Oregon Pinot Noir brings together fruit from top vineyard sites in the state, which is then matured in French oak. The result is a wine that is fruit-forward, with notes of cranberry, black cherry, and cola, along with hints of oak from the aging process. The wine is bright with a balanced acidity, making it an excellent pairing for food. Serve it with dishes such as roast meat with stewed fruit, mushrooms, or savory rice.

Villa Maria has been a leading winery in New Zealand for over half a century. Sustainability has been at the forefront of this New Zealand winery since the '90s and it's continued to be an important leader in the country's wine industry. It produces a wide range of wines at all price points and tastes, showcasing New Zealand's terroir at its finest. The Private Bin series is made with fruit sourced from some of the country's prime growing regions, including Marlborough and Hawkes Bay.

The Private Bin Pinot Noir is made with grapes from the Marlborough region. It offers a harmonious blend that balances freshness and ripeness. The result is a wine rich in red fruit notes like cherry and raspberry, along with hints of baking spice like cinnamon and clove. The tannins are pleasantly smooth, making this a great pairing for a wide selection of foods, like grilled chicken or salmon, or a cheeseboard. Villa Maria is a solid bet for a stellar, entry-level pinot that offers a taste of New Zealand.

Australia may be well known for its shiraz wines, but certain areas of the country produce exceptional pinot noir due to the cool climate growing conditions. Yarra Valley in Victoria is one such place. Giant Steps Winery has been around for almost three decades, with vineyards located across different regions of the country. In fact, the founder made a point of identifying regions that were optimal for chardonnay and pinot noir.

The Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir is made with hand-harvested grapes sourced from around the valley, blended for a taste of the region. The fermentation method optimizes for freshness, followed by maturation in partially new French oak. The wine displays a vibrant acidity with notes of red fruit like cherry, raspberry, and cranberry, along with hints of lavender and baking spice. With its juicy, fruit-forward nature and elegant structure, this wine is a great introduction to the Australian cool climate region. It makes a delicious pairing with a wide variety of dishes including roast poultry, a charcuterie board, or grilled vegetables.

Italy might not be first on your mind when it comes to pinot noir, but the northern region of Alto Adige has cool climates and high elevations that produce the optimal conditions for the variety. Cantina Girlan has been a leader in the region for over a century, bringing together hundreds of wine growers who are all dedicated to displaying the terroir through its wines. The winery prioritizes local and traditional grape varieties as well as international ones, demonstrating the region's diversity. Pinot noir is one of the winery's prized varieties, and aside from producing several bottles, it also researches the best sites and microclimates for the grape, as well as the best procedures in the cellar.

Patricia Pinot Noir is made with hand-harvested grapes from vineyards up to 1,700 feet in elevation, which are fermented in stainless steel tanks and matured in large oak barrels as well as in the bottle. The wine is bright and fresh, with juicy red fruit aromas, like sour cherry and raspberry. The tannins are smooth and velvety, making this an excellent wine to pair with tomato sauce and lighter meat dishes. For consumers new to pinot noir around the world, Alto Adige is a fantastic source.

With its unique and arid high-altitude desert terroir, the Uco Valley in Mendoza is an excellent region for growing pinot noir. Mascota Vineyards showcases the nuances of the region through its wines, thanks to the know-how of its lead winemaker. The winery has a few lines of wines, including Unánime, which is made with fruit from the Uco Valley, where conditions promote concentrated aromas and richness.

The Unánime Pinot Noir is fermented and then aged in French oak barrels for a year, which builds structure on the palate and smooth out the tannins. The oak influence adds aromas of baking spice to the red fruits, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry mingling with floral fragrances and dried herbs. The result is a delightful pinot noir that pairs seamlessly with an array of dishes, thanks to the bright acidity and bold fruit. Try it with appetizers, red pizzas, or grilled chicken.

In Germany, pinot noir is known as Spätburgunder, and it fares quite well in the country's warmer regions. Weingut Dautel's history extends back to the 1500s in Württemberg. The winery has evolved over centuries and blended tradition and innovation along the way. Its agricultural practices are in tune with the environment, ensuring that the fruit is harvested at its prime. Furthermore, the winery uses a light hand in the cellar by using large old wooden oak vats, ensuring that the fruit speaks for itself.

The Dautel Spätburgunder VDP Estate Wine is made with these characteristics in mind, resulting in a fruit forward and elegant wine. The wine boasts juicy fruit notes like sour cherry, blackberry, strawberry, and black currant, along with a floral fragrance and hints of licorice. The tannins are smooth and silky and the acidity is light and fresh, making this a great wine to pair with food, including roast poultry, grilled salmon, or mushroom dishes. Although the Southern German region of Württemberg isn't extensively known abroad, it remains a significant source of quality pinot noir in the country.

To put together this selection of pinot noir wines for beginners, I considered the grape's main growing regions across the globe. For consumers looking to discover the variety, a broad understanding of how it behaves in different growing regions is key. These bottles range in price from entry-level to finer bottles, while remaining reasonably priced and worth seeking out.