Pinot noir is a light-bodied red wine with red-fruit flavor, soft tannins and bright acidity, which is why it suits everything from roast chicken to salmon. You can see the bottles we have in stock on our pinot noir page, and pick up in Westford at 142 Littleton Rd.
What is pinot noir?
Pinot noir is a red grape that makes lighter-bodied wine than cabernet or syrah. The color is often translucent ruby rather than deep purple, and the tannins, the drying grip you feel on your gums, are gentle.
The grape has thin skin and is sensitive to climate, so it tends to show where it was grown more clearly than many other reds. That is why two bottles labeled pinot noir can taste quite different from each other.
It is also the red grape behind much of the sparkling wine of Champagne, though there it is pressed and made into a white or sparkling wine.
What does pinot noir taste like?
Typical flavors are cherry, raspberry and strawberry, with notes of mushroom, forest floor, tea or baking spice as the wine ages or comes from cooler places. Oak can add vanilla or a touch of smoke.
Cooler regions generally give lighter, more tart and earthy wines. Warmer regions, such as many parts of California, tend to give riper, rounder, darker-fruited bottles.
If you usually drink bigger reds, pinot noir will feel more delicate. If you like white wine but want to try a red, it is often a comfortable first step.
Where does pinot noir come from, and does it matter?
Burgundy in France is the grape's historic home, and red Burgundy is pinot noir. In the United States, Oregon's Willamette Valley and California's coastal areas are well known for it. New Zealand and Germany, where it is called spätburgunder, also make it.
The label tells you a lot. A bottle named for a broad region will usually be straightforward and fruit-forward. One from a narrower village or vineyard is usually more specific in character.
Rather than guess, look at what is on the shelf. Our pinot noir category shows what is in stock today, with the store's own best sellers first, and you can compare regions there. Our broader red wine page covers the other reds.
What food goes with pinot noir?
Its acidity and light tannins make it one of the more flexible reds at the table. It works with roast chicken, turkey, pork tenderloin, duck, salmon and grilled mushrooms. It also handles dishes with herbs such as thyme and rosemary.
It is a good choice when a table is eating a mix of dishes, such as a holiday dinner, because it rarely overpowers anything. Very spicy food or heavy, charred red meat usually calls for something bolder.
If you are planning a larger meal, our party planner page can help you think through what to bring.
How should you serve pinot noir?
Serve it slightly cooler than room temperature, around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A red that is too warm tastes flat and alcoholic, while one that is too cold hides its fruit. Twenty minutes in the refrigerator before opening usually does it.
A wide-bowled glass gives the aroma room. You do not need to decant most pinot noir, though a few minutes of air can help a tight young bottle open up.
Once opened, recork it and keep it in the refrigerator. It is best within a couple of days.
How does pinot noir compare with other reds?
Next to cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir is lighter, higher in acidity and lower in tannin. Cabernet suits steak, while pinot noir leans toward poultry and fish.
A red blend is often rounder and fuller, built from several grapes. An Italian red tends to be savory and food-oriented, which can be a good next step if you like pinot's acidity.
If you prefer white wine, chardonnay and pinot noir share a Burgundian history, and some people move between them easily.
Can you find other styles and makers to explore alongside it?
We carry 90+ Cellars, one of the wine makers with its own page on our site, so it is worth a look when you are browsing wine. For wider exploring, our wine styles collection groups bottles by type.
If you are choosing for a dinner and want a second opinion, read our note on which Westford liquor store helps with wine choices, or ask at the shop.
For sparkling, the sparkling wine page includes Nicolas Feuillatt Reserve Brut Champagne, a style where pinot noir often plays a part.
How do you get pinot noir from CBC Liquors?
Visit us at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
You can also order for pickup during those same hours, or for delivery. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. We also offer shipping.
We serve Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton, Carlisle, Lowell and other nearby towns. Check the delivery areas page for your town. Our Google rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 339 reviews.
Common questions
Is pinot noir a dry wine?
Most pinot noir is dry, meaning little sugar is left after fermentation. Riper bottles can taste fruity, but that is fruit character rather than sweetness.
Should pinot noir be chilled?
A light chill helps. Aim for roughly 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, about 20 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.
What is the difference between pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon?
Pinot noir is lighter in body with higher acidity and softer tannins. Cabernet sauvignon is fuller, darker and more tannic.
Can I order pinot noir for pickup or delivery from CBC Liquors?
Yes. We offer pickup and delivery, and also shipping. Hours for each are listed above.
Where can I see which pinot noir you have in stock?
Our pinot noir category page shows what is in stock today, with the store's own best sellers first.
