Treasure Island Wines 2016 Pinot Noir, Bennett Valley

I really love the versatility of this wine grape. While all wines take on the terroir and just about everything in the winemaking process, Pinot Noir seems to provide a wide spectrum of flavors. From bright red cherry, and cherry pie filling to earthy forest floor are very characteristic experiences on the palate and at the nose. This makes a Pinot Noir one of my go to wines when dinning out with friends that are not big red wine drinkers but want to enjoy a glass with their meal but are not sure what to order. Treasure Island Wines is at the forefront of San Francisco's urban winery movement; a home for wineries and tasting rooms offering something for almost every wine aficionados' interest. This wide variety makes the Island a perfect place for Bay Area residents to take daytime wine tours at a location much closer to home than Sonoma or Napa. Among those pouring their wines for visitors is Treasure Island Winery.

Treasure Island Wines was founded in 2007 and is the first operational urban winery and tasting room on the former US Naval Base right in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Jim Mirowski winemaker and owner has fulfilled his goal to create a place where skilled winemakers craft small-batch artisan wines. 2016 Bennett Valley Pinot Noir is a wonderful Burgundian style Pinot with cherry, some vanilla, and smooth finish. Good now or for aging.

This Treasure Island Wines Pinot Noir pairs well with a wide range of foods. Think of salmon or other fatty fish, roasted chicken or pasta dishes but don't stop there, as this Pinot would be ideal with duck and other game birds, casseroles, and of course, stews like beef bourguignon. Sheep's milk cheeses often pair especially well with Pinot Noir, but they're not the only ones. All in all, Pinot Noir tends to be a versatile wine with cheese. The exceptions can sometimes be strong, stinky cheeses and fresh goat cheeses, which overwhelm this delicate grape. Try some of the suggestions below to get started, then continue to experiment to find your favorite Pinot Noir and cheese pairings.  The ever-present red berry fruit of a Pinot Noir is the perfect match for the nutty flavors found in a medium-firm cheese like Gruyere. Both have just the right amount of aroma and complexity to them, without the need to worry that one overpowering the other. Pinot Noir and Vermont Sharp Cheddar or Gruyere go some nicely together. Vermont Sharp Cheddar is aged and needs to be paired with a wine that has earthy notes, such as Jim Mirowski's 2016 Bennett Valley Pinot Noir.  Jim's Pinot Noir is a dry and light to medium-bodied red wine that has these characteristics along with ripe red fruit flavors. It also works well with a nutty cheese with medium firmness, such as Gruyere though one of my personal favorites is aged Cheddar.

You can take a virtual visit with Jim Mirowski at Treasure Island Wines by viewing our interview with him at the winery - HERE