After taking a trip to Sonoma this weekend, I thought it appropriate to talk about the California and Oregon Pinot Noir rivalry. Some of the best Pinot Noir is said to come from Oregon (Willamette Valley) and California (Russian River and Carneros regions), so the questions that often come up are what are the differences and which is better? Obviously, California has more of a history with Pinot Noir, as it was the first region in America that started growing the grape back in the 1930s. (Oregon’s relationship with it didn’t begin until the 1960s.) As of today, California is still where most of the U.S. Pinot Noir is grown; however, Oregon has become a close 2nd.
So what are the main differences in the wines? Both regions are optimal for the finicky Pinot Noir grape that requires a perfect combination of cooler climates, some rainfall, and chalky clay soil; however, they seem to produce very different wines. California Pinots are darker, bolder, more fruit forward, and higher in alcohol content. This is most likely due to the warmer climate. Oregon is on the same latitude as Burgundy, France (the home of Pinot Noir), so with a similar climate, its Pinot Noir wine is often compared to that of Burgundy. The Oregon climate is cooler for a longer portion of the year, so you often get a complex wine that is lighter in color and body, and more fragrant.
So which region has the better wine? Of course, there is really no right answer to this question, as you should always trust your own palate. If you like something, you like something. No one should tell you that you are wrong. Also, wines are highly dependent on not only the region, but also on the style of the winemaker, as well as the vintage. This means no one wine is going to stay the same over time. What I will say is that, after having tasted wine in both Sonoma and the Willamette Valley, I do have a favorite. Being a resident of the Pacific Northwest, it may be a surprise that I prefer the California Pinot Noir.
I hope I didn’t offend any Oregon Pinot lovers out there! I do enjoy a good Oregon Pinot Noir, but since it is often a lighter wine, I find myself wanting more out of it. It’s just that I like a fruitier, darker, bolder wine. That being said, I recommend you find out for yourself what you like better. Buy a bunch of California and Pinot Noir, and do your own tasting. It’s an excuse to drink a boat load of wine for the purpose of research!
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