This month, we’re thrilled to release our very first McBride Sisters Collection Central Coast Pinot Noir – Certified Carbon Neutral and sourced from a Certified California Sustainable Vineyard.
This sustainability certification means the grapes were grown using practices that respect the environment, employees, neighbors, and society, and that are economically viable to keep using in the long term. It also means the fruit is beautifully balanced, free of harmful chemicals, and full of delicious flavor! Bright, luscious, and elegant – our new 2022 McBride Sisters Collection Central Coast Pinot Noir is a serious triple threat. Fresh cherry and raspberry aromas open into plush plum notes with subtle spice, and brilliant red fruit flavors that linger for days.
One taste, and you’ll see why Pinot Noir is one of our favorite varieties, and favorite California wines!
A Pinot Noir Primer
This thin-skinned red grape is so silky and fragrant, it will sweep you off your feet from the very first sip. Pinot Noir grows best in cooler climates like the Burgundy region in northern France, where it produces some of the most famous wines on earth. The grape thrives in Central Otago in Aotearoa New Zealand (where we source fruit for our acclaimed McBride Sisters Collection Papatūānuku Pinot Noir Reserve), and the foggy, maritime-influenced Central Coast of California – home of our Cocky Motherf*cker Reserve Pinot Noir and our new Central Coast Pinot Noir.
Soft tannins and a lighter body than Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot make Pinot Noir a great red wine choice for more delicate foods – think fish, plant-based dishes, and meats with tender textures. Grilled salmon and roast chicken are classic pairings, but it’s also incredible with BLTs, mushroom tamales, and pork tenderloin. Pinot’s signature bright red fruit and earthy flavors really shine with earthy ingredients like beans, braised greens, roasted root vegetables, and mushrooms. And, of course, it’s amazing with cheese!
our friends at Point Reyes Cheese Co. – another sister-owned Bay Area business
We asked our friends at Point Reyes Cheese Co. – another sister-owned Bay Area business we’re proud to partner with – to share some of their favorite pairings for our California Central Coast Pinot Noir. Their wide range of suggestions show how incredibly versatile this wine is – and how many delicious pairings are in your near future. Read on for their top three choices!
TomaRashi
TomaRashi was the team’s top pairing with the 2022 Central Coast Pinot Noir. This is a new cheese from Point Reyes Cheese Co.’s “Toma with Attitude” lineup, which brings exciting flavors to their original award-winning cow’s milk Toma.
The key to TomaRashi is a Japanese spice blend called shichimi togarashi, which includes chili flakes, nigella seeds, chili powder, orange peel, ginger powder and nori flakes (dried seaweed).
This cheese has great umami richness and nutty flavors, with a warm and gentle heat that lingers on the palate, and complements the Pinot Noir’s bright red cherry fruit.
You might notice hints of dried guajillo chili on the wine’s finish, rounding out the chili heat from the cheese and bringing all the flavors together in perfect harmony. Need a three-ingredient appetizer for your next get-together? You won’t go wrong with TomaRashi, crackers and McBride Sisters Collection Central Coast Pinot Noir.
Toma Truffle
TomaTruffle is another “Toma with Attitude” that made the Point Reyes Cheese Co.’s shortlist. Infused with Italian Black Truffles from Umbria, the TomaTruffle balances their irresistible earthy aromas with notes of fresh strawberries, dried fruit and a hint of cocoa in the buttery richness of the cheese. This fragrant, fruity and luscious treat makes a natural partner for the silky red fruit flavors in our Central Coast Pinot Noir.
Aromatic truffles tend to love Pinot Noir as much as we do, and these Italian specimens are no exception.
To take this pairing to the next level, top your TomaTruffle with some caramelized onions – and if it suddenly becomes grilled cheese sandwich night, you’ll have no regrets. Want to dress things up? Melt TomaTruffle over French onion soup, and break out the Burgundy-style wine glasses for some very elegant indulgence.
Bay Blue
Rounding out the top three cheese pairings for our Central Coast Pinot Noir, we have Point Reyes Cheese Co.’s classic Bay Blue – inspired by the natural beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area’s coastal climate. This rustic-style blue cheese is known for its mellow flavor and sweet, salted caramel finish.
While more pungent and salty blue cheeses might overwhelm our Pinot Noir’s delicate texture and aromas, Bay Blue melds seamlessly with the plush plum and red fruit flavors. The creamy natural sweetness in the cheese makes a perfect match for the Pinot’s silky fruit.
Whether you crumble Bay Blue over a roasted beet salad, or stir it into a sauce for tender steak medallions, this Pinot Noir pairing makes entertaining a snap.
