The Next Burgundy

It’s press releases like this that make you wonder, is California poised to start commanding Burgundy like prices for it’s Pinot Noir? It’s obvious that the movie Sideways has accelerated the sales of this varietal. But the question is, where does it stop. I personally love Pinot Noir. To me, the elegance of the fruit, subtle flavors of the wine, and the refined texture all lend itself to a memorable bottle. But how much will the price go up when something gets popular. $150 a bottle seems a little ridiculous for an “Ultra Premium Napa Valley Pinot Noir”. But time and sales will tell if this price point is sustainable. As for myself? I’ll continue drinking Rhone varietals that I hope don’t gain in popularity anytime to soon, as their price would most likely reflect that.

Read