Pinot Noir is great to have with friends who (1) have beginner’s red wine palates and the Cabs of the world are just too much for them AND (2)  guzzle wine like beer making you wonder why you served it in the first place.  But alas, at my age, you typically still have friends in both categories at your little parties, so accomodating both is a must.  In addition, Pinot pairs well with a host of foods. But more importantly, it doesn’t require me to break my piggy bank.  For about $15 to $20, I can find a bottle of Pinot Noir that most of my friends will appreciate and still drinkable for me too!

Two such recommendations are both from Maule Valley, Chile and available through My Wines Direct:

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If you’re looking for some a new Pinot Noir to taste, why not try these three:

2007 Hirsch Vineyards Bohan Dillon Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($30)
Recently pegged by the San Francisco Chronicle as their wine of the week to food and wine newsletter subscribers. It’s said to “start with rosewater, brown spice and roasted cherry and then does a black flip: flavors of tangy raspberry, fresh strawberry and a firm mineral underpinning appear, giving it juicy distinction and nuance”. Sounds delicious (almost like they are describing something other than wine) and definitely on my list to try.

2007 Migration Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($34)
According to Sommelier Courtney Cochran, this Pinot Noir is a great buy and “stellar stand-in” for the Pinot Noir that was served at President Obama’s inauguration lunch produced by the same winery – Goldeneye – which cost $55. I’m all for great tasting wines at cheaper prices, especially since I have yet to benefit from the so called stimulus package.

2006 Gundlach Bundschu Pinot Noir ($38) or 2005 Pinot Noir, Vadasz Vineyard ($32)
For 150 years Gun Bun has been making excellent wines. Their Pinot Noirs are no exception and at fair prices. However, it is hard to find their wines unless you visit the winery or purchase directly online!