Passion for Pinot

For those of you that are of age to drink, I have just the thing for you to bring to your significant other’s Thanksgiving dinner or even your own. And if you’re family is as crazy as most peoples, listen up.
This month is a great time to try a new wine, or wine in general if you are not that familiar.

Pinot Noir is the wine of the month, say it with me, PEE-noh nwahr. Very good!
According to The Wine Club, A Month-by-Month Guide To Learning About Wine With Friends by Maureen Christian Petrosky, November is a great time to try Pinot Noir because of all the great food that goes along with Thanksgiving.

Pinot Noir is often called the “noble grape of Burgundy” because it is the red grape from this world-famous winegrowing area in France. So, if the wine is red and it says it’s from Burgundy (or Bourgogne in French) then the grape is most likely Pinot Noir.

This wine is very special because it may take awhile to really appreciate its unique aroma and flavor.
It is said to have the aroma of a barnyard, so Petrosky says. I know, I know it doesn’t sound that appetizing but the juice beneath the aroma, especially ones from France, can be the best you’ve ever tasted. It just may take a couple of tries.
Anything worth having is worth the wait right?

To help you properly taste the wine, Miguel Garza, host of winetasterstv.com can be found on you tube.com and is waiting to give you the tips you need to have the best wine tasting experience yet.


For most wine you can usually just use a basic red wine glass or white wine glass (yes they are different) and it won’t matter that much. This is not as true for Pinot Noir.
A Pinot Noir glass is larger than other red-wine glasses, with a bulbous shape that allows more flavor and aroma to develop. If all you have is an all-purpose red-wine glass, no worries it’ll be just fine.
To get the “bang for your buck” Petrosky suggests Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2003, Carneros California; $10. It holds strong flavors such as black cherry and vanilla with the aromas of mocha, cedar and spice- all for just $10!

Pinot-Noir is a “true food-loving wine” says Petrosky, because it is made to enjoy with food.
Here is a delicious, and no bake, twist on a Thanksgiving favorite that will go fabulous with a glass of Pinot Noir.
Leftover Pumpkin Pie Parfaits
1 leftover 8 or 9 inch pumpkin pie
2 cups sour cream
¼ cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons orange juice
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 cups whipped cream
¾ cup crumbled graham crackers

1. Remove pumpkin filling from piecrust; discard the crust.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together sour cream, maple syrup, orange juice and pumpkin pie spice.
3. In the bottom of 10 small parfait glasses (or bowls) place 2 or 3 tablespoons pumpkin pie filling. Add a layer of the sour cream mixture to each.
4. Top with a layer of whipped cream and crumbled graham cracker.

Bon appetite!