I’ve poured a lot of Pinot. Some cheap. Some fancy. Some that made me grin so wide my cheeks hurt. If you’d like the longer back-story of how this whole obsession started, I unpack it in a rambling journal over on Chasing the Best Pinot Noir: My Real Bottles, Real Nights. Here’s what I keep buying, what I serve to friends, and what I learned the messy way—at my kitchen table, on rainy nights, and yes, at a picnic with cold fried chicken.
Quick note about my taste
I like bright cherry, a little spice, and a clean finish. I’m fine with oak, but not the syrup stuff. Food matters to me. I drink Pinot with roast chicken, salmon, mushroom pasta, or even pizza when I’m beat. You too?
Weeknight heroes (under $20-ish)
These bottles saved many Tuesdays for me. Not perfect, but easy to love.
- A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir (Oregon): Light cherry, tea, and a hint of pepper. I had this with a turkey burger and sweet potato fries. It held up just fine. It can taste simple, but simple isn’t bad on a busy night.
- Erath Pinot Noir (Oregon): Juicy strawberry and a soft finish. I brought it to a board game night. Everyone drank it. No one fought me for the last pour, which tells you the vibe: smooth but not loud.
- Castle Rock Pinot Noir (various regions): You know what? For the price, it’s a steal. Red fruit, some cola, and a gentle grip. I keep one for sauce and one for sipping.
Need even more wallet-friendly ideas? Peek at Top Value Pinot Noir Wine From Around The World To Buy Right Now for an up-to-date hit list that stays (mostly) under the $50 ceiling.
What I don’t love here: the thin feeling some bottles have on day two. I’ve had a few go flat by the next night, so I use my wine stopper and keep it in the fridge. It’s the same trick I use with my hair—seal in the lift or risk a limp mess. If you’ve ever hunted for body and bounce up top, you’ll get a kick out of my totally unrelated but strangely relevant dive into the best volumizing shampoos.
Crowd-pleasers for the porch (around $20–$35)
These feel bigger and a bit sweeter. Great for a group that likes bold flavor.
- Meiomi Pinot Noir (California): Ripe, jammy, vanilla. It’s like cherry pie in a glass. I poured this at a backyard birthday with pulled pork sliders. Folks went back for refills. For me, it’s a “party wine,” not a quiet-night wine. A little heavy on oak.
- La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir: Strawberry, baking spice, and a silky feel. I served it with salmon and dill. My sister asked for the label. It can get a little oak-forward some years, but it’s steady and easy.
- Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir: More lift, more sea breeze, and bright red fruit. I brought it to a beach picnic with cold fried chicken and grapes. The crisp finish kept me going back.
Splurge zone (and why I did it)
These are bottles I bought for big nights—holidays, job news, a hard week that needed a soft landing.
- Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve (Oregon): Polished cherry, cocoa dust, and a long finish. I poured it with roast chicken and mushrooms. The table went quiet. Then the soft “wow.” Pricey. Worth it when you want a sure thing.
- Sea Smoke Southing (Sta. Rita Hills): Dark cherry, cola, clove, and a plush texture. I opened a 2016 on a cold, wet night with beef stew. It wrapped the room in warmth. Hard to find, and it costs a lot, but it felt special—one of those evenings that make you wonder if the sky outside might break into the Northern Lights while you’re still swirling your glass.
- Kosta Browne (various single vineyards): Glossy fruit, spice, and a clean line. I got to taste a bottle a friend brought—yes, lucky me. It dazzled. But I won’t pretend: the price hurts.
Tiny gripe with the fancy stuff: sometimes the oak shows first and the charm shows later. I give these bottles air. A big glass helps.
Old World lane (Burgundy without the mystery)
I like Burgundy when I want earth and grace.
- Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir: Tart cherry, a bit of earth, light body. Paired it with mushroom risotto. It tasted like fall leaves and red fruit. Some bottles feel lean, but the right food brings it to life.
- Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune (when I can find it): Bright, classy, and calm. I poured it at Thanksgiving with turkey and cranberries. It tied the whole meal together. Not showy, just lovely.
Burgundy can be tricky. Labels can confuse. I stick with trusted houses when I don’t want a gamble. For a curated shortcut, scan Top Rated Burgundian Pinot Noir Under $50, According To The Top Wine Competitions to see which bottles punch above their weight without busting the budget.
For a quick cheat sheet on decoding Burgundy (or any Pinot) labels, head over to 5 Star Share before you hit the wine aisle.
Southern Hemisphere bright spots
- Felton Road Bannockburn (Central Otago, NZ): Vivid cherry, fine tannin, and pure focus. I opened it with herb roast salmon and lemon. The acid snapped in a good way. Spendy, but crisp and clean.
- Ata Rangi (Martinborough, NZ): Red plum, thyme, and a long, graceful finish. I poured it with roast duck legs. It felt elegant without trying too hard.
Bold and sweet-leaning Pinots (when that’s the mood)
- Belle Glos Clark & Telephone (Santa Barbara County): Big cherry, vanilla, and a rich feel. I took this to a winter potluck. It was a hit with meatballs. For me, it’s dessert-adjacent. Fun, but I want a glass, not a bottle.
- Boen Pinot Noir: In the same lane as Meiomi. Round, plush, and easy. I pour it for folks who say they “don’t like red wine.” It changes minds.
A fun wildcard
- Underwood Pinot Noir (Oregon, canned): Picnic hero. Light, juicy, and portable. I chilled it and drank it at a free concert in the park with cheddar and crackers. No crystal, no fuss. Does it taste complex? No. Did I smile? Yes.
Little tips that made my Pinot taste better
- Chill it a bit. I serve Pinot around 55–60°F. Fifteen minutes in the fridge works.
- Use a big, round glass if you have one. More smell, more joy.
- Let oak-heavy bottles breathe. I pour one glass, then wait 20 minutes.
- Food pairing: roast chicken, salmon, mushrooms, soft cheeses, even soy-glazed tofu. Salt and fat help the fruit shine.
My “best of” short list (by mood)
- Weeknight: A to Z, Erath
- Party: Meiomi, La Crema
- Fancy: Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve, Sea Smoke Southing
- Earthy: Louis Jadot Bourgogne, Joseph Drouhin
- Bright and pure: Felton Road Bannockburn, Flowers Sonoma Coast
- Sweet-leaning and plush: Belle Glos Clark & Telephone, Boen
- Picnic: Underwood (can)
What fell short for me
I’ve had a few bargain bottles that tasted thin and sharp, like sour cherry water. Also, some big-name Pinots leaned so sweet and oaky that I felt tired by glass two. Doesn’t mean they’re bad. It just means they’re not my night, not my pace.
So…which is “best”?
Honest answer? Best is the bottle that fits your night. For me:
- Roast chicken night: Domaine Serene or La Crema
- Beach picnic: Flowers or Underwood
- Cozy stew night: Sea Smoke
- Thanksgiving: Joseph Drouhin
- Game night: A to Z
Pinot is a mood ring. It changes with food, glass, and company. That’s part of the charm.
If you’re ever short on company and want to meet a fellow wine-curious companion for a spontaneous tasting session, swing by SextLocal where you can connect with nearby adults looking for flirty chats that might just lead to real-life clinks and sips.
Planning a self-care getaway? If your idea of bliss is soaking in mineral-rich waters before uncorking a silky Pinot at sunset, take a