Ignoble Grape
Senior Member
When faced with questions about Pinot Noir, I always, always, always refer to the best movie with a supporting actor (or is it actress) for Pinot Noir - Sideways and this quote from Paul Giamatti as Miles Raymond:
"Uh, I don't know, I don't know. Um, it's a hard grape to grow, as you know. Right? It's uh, it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It's, you know, it's not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it's neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet."
Gulp. That's a lot of art/science that I hope I can live up to!