Pinot Noir Takes Center Stage at SOHO

Throughout the month of January, SOHO Atlanta restaurant will showcase red varietals from around the world. The tour begins on flight night, Wednesday, January 8, with Pinot Noir. The wine and tapas introduced Wednesday will be available through Tuesday, January 14.

First, SOHO will pour a 2011 Domaine Henri Bourgeois “Petit Clos” Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand. The winemaker says of the Pinot, “The vines are young and vibrant…Aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, the 2011 vintage has lovely aromas of cranberries and red cherries with hints of tar. Wonderfully balanced, the Petit Clos is supple and offers a tasty, elegant, even earthy finish.”

Next, SOHO will pour a 2011 Davis Bynum “Jane’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, California. The winemaker describes the wine, “Jane’s Vineyard shows superior vine balance thanks to its well-drained, shallow and inherently low vigor soils…Ichoose a selection of Pinot “clones” to enhance complexity: a little lighter, without being lean; a little crisper, without being tart; a little more fruit driven, without being distracting; with a round, soft mouthfeel.”

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2011 “Carpe Diem” Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley, California. The winemaker says: “The Carpe Diem has ripe aromas and is very jammy, but with limited oak expressions. Acidity levels show off the Anderson Valley climate. Grapes for the Carpe Diem Pinot Noir are selected exclusively from the best vineyards in Northern California’s cool Anderson Valley. This fog-shrouded region not far from Mendocino Coast and the Pacific Ocean provides ideal growing conditions for these delicate grapes.”

SOHO’s executive chef, Joe Ahn, has prepared three tapas plates to pair with each Pinot Noir.

2011 Henri Bourgeois “Petit Clos” Pinot Noir
Paired with: Slow-roasted pork shoulder with winter squash and preserves

2011 Davis Bynum “Jane’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir
Paired with: Parsnip and pancetta risotto

2011 “Carpe Diem” Pinot Noir
Paired with: Herb-roasted Springer Mountain chicken stuffed with sun-dried cherry dressing

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!