Bring On Da Funk

Really good Pinot Noir often walks a razor's edge between earthiness and elegance. It is one of those really intriguing qualities about this grape. Its kind of like a tuxedo, in all its black classic elegance, that was hung up in the barn for just a few days before the gala event. And that may sound bad, but its definitely not.

Pinot's head may be in the clouds but its feet are planted firmly on the ground. That earthiness brings it back down to. ..well...earth. Pinot reminds us, no matter how elegant or elite the occassion, that we are of this earth. We smell and taste and breathe this earth. It sustains us and when we are gone, what remains of us here is returned to this earth.

And what an earth it is. Taste and smell a variety of good Pinots. It will be unmistakeable. The earthiness gets variously described as mushrooms, truffles, leather, savory herbs, wet earth, loam, barnyard, forest floor, wet animal fur, sweaty socks...

I'll stop there before the descriptions get too funky. You get the idea. All of these fecund complexities and riches, combined with the flavors and aromas of bright red or deep, dark black fruit and counterbalanced with good acidity, can produce a wine that sings. And connects you with the earth and the ages.

Cheeers,

Dave