Pinot and a Party

It is technically Spring, but Mother Earth is dangling the promise of sunny days and warm nights yet not quite delivering on it. To me, it's not rose season yet, despite what the shelves of the LCBO are indicating. The rain, wind, and cooler air makes me crave red wine, but not the same big California wines that stood at the forefront of my wine rack all winter. It's a perfect time for Pinot Noir. It still satisfies the need for something warming and earthy, but it isn't too aggressive and it does a very good job of matching with some of the lighter meals that come with Spring.

I had some friends over for a dinner in honour of a close friend's birthday on Friday night and was more than pleasantly surprised by this gem of a pinot, Hunter's 2009 Pinot Noir from Marlborough, NZ ($21.95). It was really beautiful - Light, but still entirely typical of a New World pinot in that it was bursting with strawberries and cherries. The red fruit was countered with hints of spice and a really long, elegant finish. I think you could enjoy this wine with practically anything: Eggplant parmesan, chicken in a mushroom sauce, or with a big greek salad (with lots of herbs).

A wine never tastes the same twice: With every friend, a different set of laugher, a different night, a different air temperature, and a different mood certainly does change the way we experience wine. Whether it was the night that influenced my love for this wine, or it was the wine that enhanced my enjoyment of the night, I suggest you go purchase this wine before it's gone (and it's going fast).

Xo

AK