March 14th, 2010 by Jeff

Wines featured in today’s show:

• 2008 Redtree Pinot Noir (~$8)
• 2009 Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir (~$8)
• 2006 Due Mari Pinot Noir (~$8)

Recommended food pairings from The Som:

Yes, we all know that it’s tough to find really good Pinot Noir for under $20.00.  Hell, even 20 bucks is pushing it sometimes.  And yes, I know that even as I say that many of you are yelling, “What about Montoya? What about Angeline?”  These are the exception, not the rule.  I contend it’s a helluva lot easier to find really good $15.00 Merlot, Cab, Malbec, Carmenere, etc., than Pinot Noir.  So that’s what this show is about: Cheap Pinot Noir that I’m not ashamed to sell people.  And when I say cheap, I mean well under $10.

What to eat with really inexpensive Pinot Noir?  Dig this – - – have you ever noticed that sometime cheap PN seems to be fuller bodied than you might expect?  One of the reasons MAY be is that by law (and the laws differ slightly in most countries or even states or counties) the wine maker is allowed to blend in a certain percentage of another grape(s) and there is no need to mention it on the label.  Petite Sirah is popular in the U.S.  I’m not saying this is the case with any of the wines we enjoyed today…I’m just sayin’.

With that in mind lets think about summer BBQ’s, pork or ahi tuna.  Oh my God.   I’m not sure if I would have the guts to drink an $8 Pinot Noir with this dish, but I sure would cook with it.   And if anyone happens to have an extra copy of that Fois Gras cook book, please send it my way and I will give you props on the next show.  You can email me at JeffKycek@WineGeekTV.com and I’ll let you know where to send it.

Yes…I have no shame and can be bought for the mere price of a cookbook.