June 1, 2024
You should all know by now that I’m a red wine girlie, so it’s no surprise that this month’s wine of the month is in fact…a red wine. Pur Noire is a must visit if you are ever in Houston. They have great wine varieties to choose from but this one tickled my fancy.
Winery:Pur Noire | Owners: Carissa and Kenneth Stephens
A husband and wife winery and tasting room located in Houston, TX. Pur Noire is Houston’s first Black- Owned tasting room. Their Pur Collection consists of a Petite Sirah based blend, Pinot Gris & Sauvignon Blanc blend, and a Tempranillo Rosé. The collection is grown in a number of vineyards in the wine country of Northern California.
Style of Wine: Petite Sirah Blend – 2021 Pur Epiphany
Most wines are named after the region in which they are produced or the type of grape they are produced from. The Petite Sirah grape is a deep inky purple grape made from the blend of the Syrah grape and the Peloursin grape which is found in the French-Alps.
Type of Wine: Still Wine
Petite Sirah is a still wine, not sparkling.
Structural Characteristics: Dry, Medium Acidity, High Tannin, Medium – Full Body, 15.4% alchohol
Dry – Majority of wines are dry. Dry wines have no to very low levels of sugar. Pur Epiphany is a dry red, but it’s not an intense dryness.
Acidity – Acidity comes from the grape juice but gives the wine a refreshing characteristic. The Pur Noire Petite Sirah has a medium acidity level, as most Petite Sirah varieties do. If you love your coffee black, then a high acid wine is for you!
Tannin – Tannin comes from the skin of the grapes used to produce red wine. If you have ever experienced headaches when drinking red wine, it’s probably from the tannin. The level of tannin depends on the grape variety used. Pur Epiphany has a medium tannin level.
Body – The body is used to describe the feel of a wine in your mouth. Petite Sirah is a Medium to Full body wine due to the fact that it is mouth-filling but doesn’t feel heavy.
Alcohol – Majority of still and sparkling wines have an alcohol level between 11.5% and 14%. The alcohol level in the Pur Noire Pur Epiphany Petite Sirah is at 15.4% which is above average level for most wines and you can definitley feel it. You can find the alcohol level on the back label of the wine bottle.
Aromas and Flavors: Vanilla (oak), Black Pepper, Blueberry, Blackberry, Plum
I’m sure many people are curious how wine can have different aromas and flavors when it’s made from grapes. These traits come from the grapes, themselves, as well as development through winemaking and maturation. Determining the aromas and flavors takes work and a great nose, but with practice (sniffing herbs and produce at your local grocery store) you can become quiet good at it. It’s also subjective.
Aromas and Flavors: The first aroma I picked up from Pur Epiphany is Black Pepper. The spice is noticeable, but not overwhelming. I also picked up both blue and blackberries. Red wines are also very often matured in oak which adds vanilla and cedar flavors. This petite sirah presented great balance of jammy fruits and spice.
Storage: Room Temperature, on its side
Keep red wine stored at room temperature away from strong sunshine and artificial light. If you’re storing your wine on the top of your fridge, find a new home for it. Heat rises to the top and heat can cause your wine to taste dull and stale. Pur Noire wine is sealed with a cork, as a result, I store it on its side to allow the wine to stay in contact with the cork and stay moist. A dry cork can allow air into the bottle resulting in a dull and stale taste.
Serving Temp: 59-64 degrees Fahrenheit
We’ve all heard that red wine should be served warm, however, medium and full bodied red wines, such as the Pur Epiphany, are recommended to be served around 59-64 degrees Fahrenheit. When serving this wine I will chill the bottle for about 15-20 mintues. For best results, I suggest pouring into a decanter and letting it evolve for at least 2 hours.
Pairing:
You should pair petite sirah with Bold flavors and spices! This particular variey pairs well with the below: barbecue, roasted chicken, mozzarella and aged gouda cheeses, sautéed mushrooms, and eggplant.
How to Purchase:
You can purchase Pur Noire wines directly from the winery/tasting room in person, or online. I made a purchase when I took a trip home to Houston and brought it back to Cali to add to my collection. The cost of the Pur Epiphany is $55 which is a comparable price for this type of wine.
The Petite Epiphany was a delicous wine. During my visit to Pur Noire, I bought a bottle to bring home, as mentioned, and my friend purhased a bottle that we finished off at her house that same evening. I’m definitely adding this variety to my collection and rotation. If you are ever in Houston, please don’t hesitate to stop by Pur Noire for a great experience and let me know if you take a bottle home!
Cheers,
Starr
