Pinot Muenier is one of the most prominent grape varieties in the Champagne region of France. And lucky for you, dear reader, it also grows well in Mendocino County, California, which is how it ended up on my radar a few weeks ago on a list of California Wines at a bar. Tbh, I thought it was a typo – which I think speaks more to the type of bar I was at, and less about my knowledge of vocabulaire français. I digress. The word Meunier is French for miller and refers back to the flour-like appearance of the underside of the vines’ leaves.
Think of this peppy red as a cousin to the Pinot Noir. The country cousin. We all have those, right? Let me tell ya, if you don’t have one, YOU are that cousin. Trust me, it’s you. Sorry. Lean into it.
See – 3/5 – Of all the reds I’ve had recently, this is the lightest. As I poured it into the decanter (more below!), I was surprised by how easily the kitchen light filtered through the stream.
Smell – 3/5 – This wine gives off earthy vibes in a not-so-pleasant way at first. But give it time. Just like that cousin I mentioned earlier, she kinda grows on you.
Sip – 4/5 – So I mentioned above the need to decant. Or at least, I chose to decant it. (You should be decanting, but who am I to tell you what to do). I will say, though, if you don’t have a decanter or aerator of some sort, this wine is still solid. It’s bright and fruity and fruit-forward from sip numéro un (again, told you I was good at French).
Savor – 5/5 – As summer days slip into fall evenings, if you’re not quite ready to let go of your rosés and summer flavors, let this wine be your autumnal gateway drug. The taste of strawberry lingers on your tongue and the light, balanced tannins prep your mouth for more. If you’ve never tried a Pinot Meunier, let me be the first to encourage you to do so.