In one of the most exciting developments in French wine in recent years, Alsace has become a source for excellent Pinot Noir. Domaines like Boxler, Ostertag, Meyer-Fonné, and Kuentz-Bas have shown a newfound focus on the grape, capitalizing on an increasingly favorable climate to make spectacular, distinct red wines. And because the eyes of Pinot Noir lovers are trained most heavily on nearby Burgundy, the best bottles from Alsace offer outstanding value across the price spectrum. 
     You won’t find a better value or introduction to Alsatian Pinot Noir than Kuentz-Bas’s. Clocking in at 12.5% alcohol, the 2022 is a light and joyous rendition of the grape. And while it was born in ancient foudres deep in a cold, dark cellar, its final destination should be in an ice bucket on a sunny patio. Thoughtful farming in Alsace’s cool, sunny, limestone terroirs yields exceptional freshness and purity, making this vibrant Pinot remarkably well suited to a variety of meals, from vegetable dishes to fish and my favorite, grilled chicken. If you haven’t yet succumbed to the charms of Alsatian Pinot Noir, now is the time! 

I can’t recall a grower that we started importing whose wines so quickly and seamlessly integrated into our pantheon of classic, can’t-miss selections like Benoît Cantin, as if they’d been a staple on our shelves for decades. La Grande Côte is a top cuvée in his lineup. It’s classy and herbal, from the prettiest, most characterful fruit grown on the steepest slopes. This is Burgundy Pinot at its best, mouthwatering and fresh.

On a recent trip to Tuscany, my colleague John veered off the beaten path for a chance to meet with Federico Staderini in his vineyards at the foothills of the Apennine Mountains for a tasting and picnic lunch. After hearing about the warm, fresh-from-the-latteria ricotta he served with sun-kissed cherry tomatoes and a glass of his Toscana Rosso, a trip to Cuna is now at the top of my wish list. Expect fennel seed and black cherry from this Pinot Nero, age-worthy acidity, and a velvety tannin. It is one of the most intoxicating examples you’ll taste of the variety.

We eagerly bring in every bottle of the minuscule amount of Pinot Nero we’re offered from Carlotto, and it’s always one of the dreamiest versions of the variety we import—ethereal and bright, with notes of orange peel and pink peppercorn. Pinot Nero is transformed into a weightless and perfumed rosso in the hands of Michela Carlotto and her father, Ferruccio. I open Filari di Mazzon to enchant guests who have a palate for elegant wines.