Anyone passionate about both wine and cinema will surely remember the masterpiece Sideways, a 2004 film that tells the story of two friends, Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church), who embark on a week-long journey through California’s wine country. The story explores themes of friendship, relationships, and the search for meaning in life, all set against the backdrop of vineyard landscapes and human dynamics. And amidst it all, there's the famous ode to Pinot Noir, Miles’s favorite grape, which he describes as follows:
"It’s a hard grape to grow, it has a thin skin, it’s temperamental, it ripens early. [...] Pinot Noir needs care and attention. [...] Only those who truly take the time to understand its potential can bring out the best in it. And besides, come on, its aromas are the most enchanting, brilliant, exciting, subtle, and ancient on our planet."
It’s hard to add more to that. These few words already explain why this grape variety is so important and prestigious—perhaps the most prestigious of all grape varieties in the world.
Pinot Noir from Northern to Southern Italy
Burgundy is not only the birthplace of Pinot Noir but also the place where this grape expresses itself in a way unlike anywhere else in the world. However, it’s also true that, outside France, Pinot Noir has found ways to reach very high levels in select territories—though not many.
Some of these are in Italy, where Pinot Noir has long been at home in certain areas, with Oltrepò Pavese standing out as a leader. This region boasts the third-largest planted area of Pinot Noir in the world, and we’ve discussed it multiple times in recent months, both for the Sparkling Wine of the Year awarded by Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia 2025 guide and for the important changes made by the Consorzio to its regulations: the Metodo Classico made from Pinot Noir is now called Classese.
Trentino-Alto Adige follows in Pinot Noir production (the Pfitscher winery earned its first Tre Bicchieri award with a Pinot Noir), but there are experiments throughout Italy, with examples even in Tuscany, Umbria, and Sicily. This is precisely because, as mentioned earlier, Pinot Noir remains—and will always remain—a challenge that every winemaker dreams of tackling.
There are over fifty different types of Pinot, some of which are well-known and widely used in winemaking across the world. Three of the most notable are Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Grigio.
Pinot Noir: the history of the world’s most prestigious grape
Let’s complete the picture with some historical insights. Prestige isn’t something earned overnight—it must be built through intrinsic qualities and a history that reaches deep into the past. Pinot Noir certainly has that kind of history. In fact, historians agree that a vineyard mentioned in a document from 312 AD, written by citizens of Autun (in today’s Côte de Nuits, Burgundy), was already renowned for producing high-quality Pinot Noir wines.
Later, Pinot Noir found refuge and careful cultivation within Benedictine monasteries, which were responsible for selecting the best varieties and spreading them. These monasteries also crossbred Pinot Noir with other varieties, making it the noble ancestor of many cultivars—including, for example, Chardonnay.
The best value Pinot Noirs
The following list showcases our best tastings of Pinot Noir. These wines have been included in Berebene 2025 and Vini d’Italia 2025, guides by Gambero Rosso. You'll find reds, rosés, and various sparkling wines—concrete proof of the unique nature of this grape, as elegant and refined as it is versatile.
Trentino
The grapes supplied by Cantina Aldeno’s growers originate from Trento and extend through Besenello, Calliano, Volano, Rovereto, Pomarolo, Nomi, Cimone, and finally Garniga. Vineyards range from a minimum of 160–170 meters above sea level to as high as 700 meters, moving from the Adige Valley up into the hills. The Pinot Nero '22 is complex in its aromatic profile, vivid and lively on the palate. It has a delicate tannin structure, crisp acidity, and an elegant finish.
Alto Adige
Cantina San Paolo’s Luzia '23 is everything you’d want in a fresh, vibrant Pinot Noir. Delicately smoky aromas quickly give way to wild berry and floral notes, with a subtle herbal undertone. The palate is dynamic and long, with salinity and acidity creating perfect balance. Serve it slightly chilled with grilled bluefish—you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
K. Martini & Sohn’s Palladium '22 offers depth and complexity beyond the simpler expressions of the variety. It opens with mineral and slightly sulfuric notes, which gradually give way to wild berries and medicinal herbs. The palate is even more convincing, with a sapid structure and lively acidity.
From Josef Brigl’s beautiful Haselhof vineyard comes Pinot Nero '21, a delicately aromatic wine that slowly reveals notes of wild berries and herbal nuances. On the palate, it is light but well-supported by its sapid backbone.
Lombardy – Oltrepò Pavese
Vanzini excels in producing Extra Dry sparkling wines using the Martinotti method, made exclusively from estate-grown Pinot Noir. Both their Rosé and their fruity, floral white version are impeccably crafted.
Manuelina’s Solonero '21 is a testament to the winery’s commitment to quality, showcasing a refined and expressive Pinot Noir with clear aromas of wild berries and dog rose.
Cordero San Giorgio’s Tiamat '22 is a fresh and varietal Pinot Noir, full of small wild berry aromas, ideal for those who appreciate the essence of this grape.
You can’t take a trip to Oltrepò without visiting Tenuta Mazzolino, a gem overlooking the first hillside terraces, with its 19th-century villa, Italian-style garden, and the splendid underground cellar, the realm of Stefano Malchiodi. Terrazze Alte is a Pinot Noir that has always convinced us: the 2022 vintage is no exception, with its alluring citrusy and floral aromas, accompanied by aromatic herbs and sweet spices, with slightly vegetal notes.
The Pinot Nero M. Cl. Pas Dosé LB9 confirms last year’s performance: this is a creamy, airy, and savoury Pas Dosé, fragrant with white fruit and pastry, featuring a fine perlage and a sapidity that gives the palate great freshness. Ca' Tessitori, a winery with a long tradition, benefits from the experience of Luigi Giorgi, who has over 60 harvests behind him, working alongside Francesco and Giovanni, the new generation. In the vineyards located in Montecalvo Versiggia and Montalto Pavese, managed according to sustainable viticulture practices, local varieties such as Croatina, Barbera, and Pinot Noir are primarily cultivated. In the cellar, a non-interventionist philosophy is followed, with reduced use of sulphites. This results in wines with a strong territorial character.
The Lodola is very good—juicy and harmonious. The Giorgi family winery is increasingly embarking on an ambitious adventure. The dynamic Fabiano, supported by his father Antonio, sister Eleonora, and wife Ileana, as well as a top-tier oenological team, has brought the number of Metodo Classico bottles aging in the cellar to over one hundred thousand, achieving remarkable results every year. And then there’s the rest of the production, from traditional Oltrepò wines to Fabiano’s own creations, always attentive to marketing and market trends.
Tuscany
Thanks to the tireless curiosity and experimental spirit of the Panizzi winery, it is now known that San Gimignano is also a good land for Pinot Noir. Pioneers in studying this grape variety in the Larniano area, they have created a single-vineyard wine from an altitude of about 400 metres. Grown on the typical tuffaceous soils of San Gimignano, it showcases fruity fragrance both on the nose and palate. A light and smooth sip, with a fresh green vein and polished tannins.
Umbria
Linda and Massimo D'Alema started this winemaking project in 2008, but today, their children Giulia and Francesco are at the helm, striving to maximise the potential of native grape varieties while continuing to focus on international ones. The rosé Julí (100% Pinot Noir) is particularly distinctive and delightful, standing out with notes of tea leaf, peach, and a touch of juicy fruit like raspberry. Slim and decisive, it offers a savoury and smooth sip with a lovely clean finish.
Sicily
The Cusumano family, a well-established name in the Sicilian wine scene, planted several hectares of Pinot Noir in the Piana degli Albanesi near Palermo several years ago. They use it for a Metodo Classico sparkling wine and for the elegant rosé we are presenting. This is the Ramusa, which in its 2023 version flaunts a bouquet reminiscent of redcurrant and wild strawberry, while on the palate, it is taut and flavourful.
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