Wine Review February 10, 2013 – Pinot Noir the Heartbreak Grape

Pinot Noir is often referred to as “the Heartbreak Grape”. It is difficult to grow and to turn into wine, but it does well here in Ontario.  I hope that no one has to worry about broken hearts on Valentine’s Day. The reason I have chosen Pinot Noir for February 14 is that when done well it can be like Sex in a bottle, but I have had my heart broken by Pinot Noir. I still remember drinking that bottle with flavours that can only be described as the equivalent to drinking a glass of soil.
I spoke with Chris McDonald from Xococava and told him that I wanted to pair the Heartbreak grape with Chocolate for Valentine’s Day.  Wine and Chocolate go together very well as long as you’re careful with your pairings.  He told me that Ontario Pinot Noir can be especially difficult to pair with Chocolate due to higher acidity on the finish.  Difficult but not impossible!  I gave Chris a list of some of my Favorite Pinot Noir from Ontario and he has suggested some Dynamite truffles from Xococava to match.
Xococava can be found at 1560 Yonge Street hidden in behind some of the shops.  If you have been fortunate enough to find this shop you will know that they offer not just Chocolate, but also Ice Cream and other sweets (I personally recommend that Chipotle Candy Corn … I don’t have a wine to pair with it, but it pairs perfectly with the couch and a good movie).


Tawse Quarry Road Pinot Noir 2009 – VINTAGES 307686 – $34.95 – Cherry and Raspberry flavours in this wine with an almost Floral Aroma.  There is a nice earthiness to this wine that balances out the fruit flavours.

Norman Hardie Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2009 – VINTAGES 208702 – $39.00 – Ripe red fruit flavours with a touch of spice.  This Pinot Noir is a little more in your face than the County Pinot Noir that I loved last year.  

To pair with these we have the Tanzania Truffle – it is a 75% Dark Chocolate Truffle with strong fruity notes.  There is a bit of Feuilletine (a dehydrated crepe, flavoured with vanilla then broken down).

Rosehall Run Defiant Pinot Noir 2011 – LCBO 307769 – $18.95 – Pinot Noir can be described as Masculin and Feminine.  This Pinot is definitely Masuclin.  There are flavours of Sour Cherry and much darker heavier fruits (vs. lighter riper fruits from the Tawse and Norman Hardie wines).  There is a strong earthiness that lingers with this wine on the finish.

To cut through the earthiness Xococava has suggested a Black Trumpet Mushroom Truffle made with a Ganache that is infused with Black Trumpet Mushroom.  The filling is made with 70.4% Callebaut dark chocolate.  

Trius Brut – LCBO 284539 – $24.95 – Crisp with nice citrus flavours.  Very dry and one of the best values for a Champagne style Sparkling Wine at the LCBO.  Being very dry with nice acidity makes it easier to pair this with almost anything.  Why is a White Wine on my Pinot Noir list?   Champagne is made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

To pair with the Brut (and other crisp Champagnes) mini mendicants made with 53.8% Callebaut dark chocolate with a Candied Rose Petal, Salted Marcona Almond and a Dehydrated Cherry.  Try this one with the wine and the chocolate in your mouth at the same time.