I don’t know why it took so long for me to discover Pinot Noir. I guess it is too easy to get stuck in a rut with Cabs and Zins. (Yes, I saw the movie, Sideways.) Now that I have discovered the soft velvety texture of Pinot, I’m hooked. It’s like liquid silk, gently caressing the palate!  In my research I discovered that Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties to be cultivated for the purpose of making wine. It’s forerunner and inspiration hails from red Burgundy, one of  France’s most prized wines. Today Pinot Noir is planted in regions around the world, including California and Oregon. So try one from California and one from France. Maybe you too will develop a passion for Pinot!