With flavors of cherry, chocolate, spice, orange zest, and vanilla and polished, well-structured tannins, Sonoma Pinot Noir is a good choice with roast chicken, grilled pork, seared tuna, and pasta or risotto made with mushrooms. That said, its popularity has taken off in recent years as the trend towards lighter styles of wine and cuisine have evolved. Some versions from Russian River Valley have been compared to the elegant style of the grape’s native region, but much Sonoma Pinot Noir is more highly extracted and a touch more powerful than its French cousins. Sonoma County’s AVAs, from Carneros in the south to Alexander Valley in the north, boast more than 13,000 acres of Pinot Noir on vineyards that range from sea level to 2,600 feet of altitude. The grape takes its name from the French words for “pine” and “black.” Tight pinecone-shaped clusters of grapes are susceptible to mold and mildew, so the variety thrives in cool weather wine regions where those are less likely to develop. The 9 Best Magnums to Serve at Your Next Holiday Soiree How to Make a Cable Car, the Deliciously Retro Spiced-Rum Cocktail ' tasting notes, market data, prices and stores in USA. Stores and prices for '2003 William Hill Estate Winery Coastal. There are two theories regarding the Pinot na. This Underrated Scotch Distillery Just Dropped a Big, Bold Cask Strength Single Malt The most searched-for Pinot Noir on Wine-Searcher is Domaine de la Romane Conti Grand Cru.