Jane Eyre’s Burgundian Pinot Emotion — A 2024 Winemaker Snapshot
Jane Eyre doesn’t just make Pinot Noir; she coaxes out the part of Pinot that turns a good glass into a head-tilt, pause-the-conversation moment. In Winehog’s latest dispatch, Steen Öhman calls her work “Burgundian by heart and brain,” and that feels exactly right—classic bones, contemporary lift.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just another headline—it’s a signal of where the wine news is headed. Paying attention now could save you money, introduce you to your next favorite bottle, or simply make you the most interesting person at your next dinner party.
“Jane always seems to capture the beauty of Pinot.” —Steen Öhman, Winehog
For those of us who live for that perfumed, slightly fragile Pinot that’s more about feeling than flex, Eyre’s 2024 outlook reads like a note to the emotionally invested. She’s Australia-born, Burgundy-schooled, and now crafting a lineup of négociant wines across Burgundy, Beaujolais, and even Australia—pinning the compass to nuance rather than noise.
Key Takeaways
- Key themes: Jane Eyre, Burgundy, Pinot Noir—stay informed on these evolving trends.
- The takeaway? Keep exploring, keep tasting, and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Style Snapshot: Pinot-first, Burgundian Mindset
From the excerpt, the throughline is clear: Eyre chases Pinot’s aromatic lift and delicacy—the “Pinot d’émotion” lane. Burgundy has always prized transparency: dry, medium-bodied wines that show site through texture and perfume. Eyre leans into that classic ethos, prioritizing grace over brawn, with Beaujolais offering a playful counterpoint and Australia adding a sun-kissed accent without losing restraint.
Dryness: Dry. Body: Light to medium. Drive: Perfumed, elegant, detail-oriented. Regions: Burgundy and Beaujolais (France), with extensions to Australia.
Best occasion: Slow, talky dinners or a quiet night where the conversation deserves a little aromatic encouragement.
Best pairing direction: Keep it simple and savory—roast chicken, mushroom pasta, charcuterie. Let the perfume set the table; don’t drown it in spice.
Context: Burgundy, Beaujolais, and Beyond
If Burgundy is the PhD program for Pinot purity, Eyre’s thesis is elegantly footnoted. Öhman’s note—“The wines are Burgundian by heart and brain”—speaks to technique and intent: measured tannins, lifted acidity, and fermentation choices that keep fruit precise rather than plush. Beaujolais, meanwhile, is the fun cousin who brings red-fruited energy and ease (Gamay yin to Pinot yang), while the Australian bottlings remind us that cool-climate intent can survive warmer latitudes if you prioritize freshness over extraction.
What’s interesting here is the vibe: this isn’t about sculpting a trophy Pinot. It’s about capturing micro-moments—rose petals, red currant, that airy spice that feels like a cool evening after a hot day. When Öhman says Eyre hits “the perfumed note that turns a Pinot Noir into a Pinot d’émotion,” he’s underscoring a Burgundian truth: aroma isn’t decoration; it’s the architecture of pleasure.
Common knowledge says Burgundy Pinot is about terroir translation and restraint. Eyre’s approach agrees, but the twist is a modern clarity—clean lines, precisely tuned fruit, and a refusal to let oak or alcohol smudge the message. That’s doubly important in négociant work, where sourcing and gentle hands make the difference between ‘pretty’ and profound.
Why This Matters in 2024
The wine world is loud right now—scores, scarcity, and “look at me” styles. Eyre’s lane is quieter and more durable: find the perfume, protect the texture, let the wine breathe like linen. If you vibe with Pinot that feels alive rather than engineered, her bottlings are safe harbor.
Öhman’s enthusiasm is contagious and focused: “Jane always seems to capture the beauty of Pinot.” That’s not a tasting note; it’s a north star. It suggests continuity across vintages and regions—a sensibility that travels.
Takeaway: Buy for Emotion, Drink for Lift
Whether you’re Burgundy-curious or already deep in the Côte, Jane Eyre’s wines sit at the intersection of tradition and touch. Expect dry, graceful reds with aromatic lift and fine-boned structure. Expect Beaujolais to bring joy and Australian parcels to show restraint. Above all, expect wines that choose feeling over force—pinot that whispers, then lingers.
And yes, this is where I get opinionated: in 2024, if your Pinot doesn’t hit some emotional register, it’s just red wine. Eyre still writes in italics.
Original article by Steen Öhman on Winehog – with a passion.
Source: https://winehog.org/jane-eyre-an-australo-norwegian-surprise-2-2-72221/
