Up and coming wine writer Will Edwards is back with a second Wine of the Month review. A “relative newbie” to the world of wine, Will works in the Chelsea shop of independent wine merchants Lea & Sandeman where he loves “to hear what our customers are enjoying to drink”. With the festive season fast approaching, Will finds an intriguing choice from a rather unexpected New World region to share with us.
If you are anything like me you won’t have given a moment’s thought to your Christmas preparations yet, which doesn’t bode well at all for my family! If you’re exactly like me however, since the first whispers of Christmas on TV advertisements and in shop windows, you’ll have known exactly which wine to accompany your tasty turkey on December 25th! No? Good job I’ve got it covered for you then!
This year, I’ve decided to try something a little bit different. Pinot Noir with poultry may not exactly be breaking news but instead of heading to the Burgundy section of Lea & Sandeman, I’m grabbing my Pinot Noir from Patagonia. Yup, Patagonia.
Pinot Noir is a famously fickle grape variety, requiring very specific conditions in which to grow. When it works though, it really works and is notorious for being extremely expressive of the terroir in which it is planted. The cool, gravel plains of the Rio Negro Valley in northern Patagonia suit Pinot Noir perfectly and when coupled with the organic, unobtrusive and un-mechanised approach of winemaker Piero Incisa della Rocchetta (whose grandfather created legendary Sassicaia from Tuscany), it really, really works. The 2011 Barda Pinot Noir by Bodega Chacra really stood out from the crowd at a recent Lea & Sandeman tasting, even when up against some classic red Burgundies. It has tremendous aromas of flowers and raspberries on the nose, with a herbaceous, savoury and earthy depth on the palate.
Providing you remember to take your turkey out of the oven after a few glasses of this beauty (amongst other Christmas tipples no doubt!), the really will compliment your turkey well and is sure to make your day just that little bit more special.
Well that’s all of my Christmas prep done, now time for a glass of wine!
Words and photography by Will Edwards
4 Responses to Wine of the Month by @willbedwards: 2011 Barda Pinot Noir, Bodega Chacra