If you are a red wine drinker but want something a little lighter for the summer months then why not try a Pinot Noir with strawberry and cherry fruit flavours? I am a big champion of this grape and find that you can get some lovely easy-drinking wines, perfect for a mid-week tipple, but equally some very complex wines that deserve a fantastic meal and fantastic company. 

Pinot Noir is a black grape variety with thin skins which results in wines that are light in colour and low to medium levels of tannins.  Pinot Noir grapes prefer cooler climates and the classic Pinot Noir region is Burgundy in France.

In recent times, many great wines have come from New Zealand.  However, Pinot Noir is also used in Champagne along with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, with the skins removed from the liquid so we still get a white wine.

Three of my favourites are the Tesco Finest Central Otago Pinot Noir from New Zealand, which is currently selling for £62.64 per case (£10.44 per bottle). A Gold medal winning wine made at the award-winning Sacred Hill winery, it’s a smooth red that I surprise guests with by serving it alongside a meaty fish dish - yep, you read correctly! The red cherry flavours make a good foil to the juicy taste of the fish – try it! The Cono Sur Pinot Noir from Chile, which is currently selling on Tesco wine by the case for £39.78 per case (£6.63 per bottle). An easy quaffing wine that is perfect for a BBQ or with chicken and salad. The Waipara Hills Southern Cross Selection Pinot Noir from New Zealand is £72 per case (£12 per bottle). For a special occasion or as a treat this wine is ideal; medium bodied, with dark chocolate and plum flavours, it’s just yummy!

We’d love to know what our member’s number one Pinot Noir wine is so if you’re a fan let us know your favourite over in our Penchant For Pinot Noir discussion post!

Cheers!