Frei Brothers Pinot Noir 2016

Pinot Noir grapes were destemmed, but not crushed, to retain a significant portion of whole berries for fermentation. After a two-day cold soak, fermentation began giving the wine a breadth and depth of aromas and flavors. Following malolactic fermentation, this Pinot Noir wine was aged for 10 months in a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels.

Pinot’s healthy acidity cuts through the oiliness of pink-fleshed fish like salmon and tuna but its mild mannered tannins give it enough structure to pair with all sorts of poultry: chicken, quail and especially duck. As the namesake wine of Boeuf Bourguignon, Pinot noir has proven it isn’t afraid of beef. California examples work splendidly well with barbecue and Pinot Noir is also vegetarian-friendly—most notably with any dish that features mushrooms.