Pining for Pinot

Sensational sips from Chile, Hungary, and Slovenia

When one thinks of Pinot Noir, the first regions that often come to mind are Bourgogne, France, New Zealand, and the states of California and Oregon in the U.S. However, Pinots from other countries are commanding attention – like these recent favorites from Chile, Hungary, and Slovenia.

Concha y Toro Amelia Pinot Noir, D.O. Limarí Valley, Chile
Premium Pinot from a Winemaker of the Year
Marcelo Papa’s Pinot Noir – from the same vineyard as Amelia Chardonnay – Quebrada Seca – and with same aging regime – 12 months in a mix of seasoned and new French oak barrels – has found its true north in this special place. The iron-rich clay soils add minerality to this Pinot Noir overflowing with juicy red and black berry flavors – an ideal pairing with mushroom-based dishes like coq au vin, pork chops with creamy mushroom sauce, mushroom mac and cheese, and pizza.

Benedek Pinot Noir, Mátra, Hungary
Light and bright, a true Pinot delight
From a single vineyard named Tüzköves near Gyöngyöstarján in Mátra comes this pristine Pinot. Under Péter Benedek’s hand, this Pinot is organically farmed in volcanic soils, undergoes native yeast fermentation, then it is aged only 6 months in stainless – resulting in a fresh red you can enjoy any time of the year. Light on its feet, this Pinot dances with delicate aromas and flavors of ripe red berries, juicy red plum, and a dash of peppery spice – it's oh-so nice! This Pinot is the perfect pairing for seared tuna, roasted poultry (especially duck), pork tenderloin – or simply on its own.

TILIA Estate Merijaki Pinot Noir, Vipava Valley, Slovenia
From only 4000 vines comes this world-class Pinot Noir
The grapes for Matjaž Lemut’s Merijaki Pinot come from a neighboring farm, Pavlica – the namesake Renče/Merljaki Vineyard – where yields are exceedingly low, resulting in a uber-small production, intensely flavored Pinot replete with brambly berry, maraschino cherry, dried plum, and a whiff of smoke from aging 14 months in Slavonian and French oak barrels. Enjoy sipping this solo or alongside lamb chops, pork tenderloin, and fattier poultry like duck and goose. Believe me when I say this Pinot rivals those I’ve tasted from more well-known regions.

TILIA Estate Estate Pinot Noir, Vipava Valley, Slovenia
Lemut’s House of Pinots starts at home
Matjaž Lemut shows off his estate-grown Pinot Noir in this elegant, age-worthy red whose grapes come from his two of his plots, Potoče and Pliska. This is everything you want in a bold Pinot – it’s ripe and robust thanks to 14 months of aging in fine French Louis Latour barrels – and bursting with ‘very berry’ flavors like blackberry and cherry encircled by notes of smoke and earth. A wine this luxurious calls for rich meat dishes like Beef Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, slow-roasted pork, and venison stew.