Pinot Palooza!

Yes, I’m a Pinotphile. Now that got your attention, didn’t it? There’s a word I’m forever concentrating on saying as you really don’t want to get it wrong, do you? Innuendo aside, what I’m really talking about here is a life long obsession about a grape variety that really does turn you bonkers, and I’m certainly not talking about the affects of excessive consumption. Pinot Noir is the one grape variety that makes people really get their wine geek on, as if it wasn’t geeky enough as it is.

There really is something about this lighter bodied grape variety that once ‘discovered’, you quickly find yourself obsessed with and, more often than not, locked in a fierce debate as to why you like one over the other. Yes, this really happens.

So what is it about Pinot Noir that gets people all giddy and geeky? To quote the first lady of wine, Jancis Robinson MW, it’s a “minx of a variety”. Difficult in the vineyard, difficult in the winery and expensive to produce but when the stars align, oh so very worth it. Whilst we put Pinot Noir in the lighter bodied spectrum of red grape varieties, there are still light, medium and fuller flavoured examples and it is here where furious debate of what ‘great’ Pinot Noir is comes to life. It all comes down personal taste and the style you prefer. Is one style better than the other? No. Or yes? See what I mean?

As a result of this obsession, The Wine Guide has decided to put on an event to satisfy all of your Pinotphile tendencies and we’ve called it Pinot Palooza. On Sunday 21 October we’ll be showcasing some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s best Pinot Noir producers (over 70 in total) with over 140 Pinots to taste. Now if that doesn’t satisfy your Pinot addiction, I’m not sure what will.

Now as you can’t live on Pinot Noir alone (apparently), St Katherines and Isola Chianina will be on hand to feed you, and if you need coffee, then Vince from Blend Coffee will satisfy your caffeine needs. Add to this we’ll have some rocking tunes to keep you going throughout.

Entry to the event is $60 and includes a beautiful Riedel Pinot Noir glass (valued at $30), a copy of the Wine Companion Magazine as well as the ability to taste all the Pinot Noir in the room. Sweet! Master classes are sold separately.

If you live outside of Melbourne, don’t worry, plans are already in place to take it on the road next year.  For more information and ticket sales, visit pinotpalooza.com.au.

Bring on the Pinot Palooza!

Dan Sims is the former Age Good Food Guide Sommelier of the Year, self-confessed pintophile and currently works at The Wine Guide.