A Good Value.

You may never talk about it. Let alone brag about it. I'm talking about the work that goes into selecting a Pinot Noir for "everyday value" ($10- $15 retail).

But as long as it's part of your program, naturally you want to find the best option possible.

A few years ago it was so much easier. California Pinot was flowing like a river and there were lots of remarkable wines selling at value prices. You could get "declassified" single vineyard Pinot for a steal.

Now it's almost like finding water in a desert. Domestic production is down and costs are way up. It's gotten to the point where imports are often a better choice for the value Pinot Noir spots. If that sounds like a long-shot, consider what’s happened with Sauvignon Blanc—New Zealand now accounts for 44% of US Sauvignon Blanc sales.

Take for example our Pinot Noir from Pierre Dupond. Pierre Dupond has been making "bistro" wines for a century, sourcing from long-term relationships with growers in southern France. The wine has always done well in California with seasoned hotel buyers and bistros. But with domestic Pinot production down, Pierre Dupond is poised for broader reach.

We decided to test it out in a double-blind tasting against some popular $13-retail Pinot Noirs from California, Oregon and France, Pierre Dupond was the # 1 choice for 4 of 5 tasters, and the top pick overall.

The wine shows dark raspberry, plum, cinnamon and cola spice, with a good texture and finish. It's a decent option for a value Pinot Noir.