What is Baco Noir?

Tonight, we are tasting and learning about the hybrid wine grape Baco Noir. This is a French Hybrid wine grape. Baco Noir is an easy-to-grow grape that produces a medium to full-bodied wine with fresh acidity and dark fruit flavors hinting of black pepper and tobacco. Wines made of Baco Noir can also have notes of licorice, cedar, and smoke. Normally it will have medium tannins.Pairs with tomato-based dishes. Also pairs well with sharp cheddars, pecorino, or Parmigiano Reggiano.Tonight, we are enjoying:2020 Heron Hill Vineyards Baco Noir Reserve. This is from the Finger Lakes region of New York, specifically the vineyard is located on the western slope of Keuka Lake. I purchased it from Wine Styles in West Des Moines for approximately $25. Aromas of plum, black cherry, and dried blueberry. Medium to full-bodied. 13.9% alcohol, pH of 3.55, and 0% residual sugar. It is aged for 10 months in neutral French oak, and has medium-to-full body. The winery says this wine is great to be cellared for up to 15 years. 2023 Chloe, Monterey County Pinot Noir. Notes of strawberry and black cherry. This is around a $15 bottle of wine and can be found at many of the major retail stores. Subtle hints of clove and vanilla. Silky mouthfeel and soft finish. 14.0% alcohol. Neither of us cared for the Chloe Pinot Noir and both scored it a 2. We finished our glass but would not purchase this wine again. We both enjoyed the Heron Hill Winery Baco Noir. I gave it a 4 and Denise scored it a 3. I agree with Denise that it is not the most complex wine, but I just loved the easy and pleasing aroma and taste. It is very fruit forward with flavors of plum and blueberry. I got some earthiness and spice on the nose, but flavor is mostly over-powered by the fruit.Next week, we are having Denise’s show, a wine she picked because of it’s pretty label. It is the Oak Farm Vineyards 2022 Albarino.