The Latitude Myth Buster

Who’s ready for my favorite myth buster?!!?

It’s often touted that the reason why Oregon’s Pinot Noirs are so damn good is because of something called the 45th parallel. 

The idea is this: Burgundy, France (which makes the most renowned Pinot Noirs in the world) is at the same latitude (45 degrees north) as the Willamette Valley! This is evidence that Oregon Pinot Noirs have the potential to be just as incredible, and world renown, as those from Burgundy (see pic above).

It’s a common and cute anecdote. A quick Google search reveals things such as: 

“What [Oregon’s early pioneers] had on their side was the pedigree of latitude—a parallel shared with Burgundy.”

“Oregon, which sits on the same latitude as France’s famed Burgundy region, is best known for its Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir.” 

“The midpoint of the Willamette Valley lies at 45 degrees north latitude, the same as for Burgundy’s Cote d’Or.”

Your favorite Oregon tasting room peeps might repeat this talking point proving that this is the reason their Pinot Noirs are absolutely top notch.

Well, here’s the deal. It’s 100% just plain not true. 

Burgundy and the Willamette Valley are not on the same parallel.

I got nitty gritty with it (because I needed to reeeeally find the truth for myself). And here’s what I found:

Dijon, the town which marks the tip top of Burgundy, is at 47.322 degrees north—way higher than 45 degrees. Lyon, which marks the bottom of Beaujolais (just south of Burgundy), is at 45.764 degrees north. So now we’re closer to that 45th parallel, but here’s the thing: Portland, which is north of the Willamette Valley, still sits lower than this at 45.5122 degrees north.

Pic

In fact, the stretch from Portland (45.5122) to Salem (44.9429), ie, the northern bit of Willamette Valley, is almost exactly the same latitude as the stretch from Vienne (45.5256) to Valence (44.9334). 

Want to guess what French wine region lies between Vienne and Valence?

Northern Rhône! 🤯 🤯 🤯

“Ok, so what are you saying, Mallory, that Pinot Noir should be thrown out the window and that the whole Willamette Valley should be replanted with Syrah?!”

Absolutely not. (I’m not a total crazy person.) What I’m saying is this: 

1️⃣ Let Oregon wines speak for themselves. Why do we still feel the need to rely on a Burgundy-story (and an untrue one at that) to validate our wines? Let Oregon be Oregon! Our wines are good enough in and of themselves, aren’t they?

2️⃣ Pinot Noir does not have to be the end-all-be-all. Marketing has really put the nail in it, and yes, they are delicious. But there is more to the story than that. Next time someone introduces you to a Willamette Valley wine that is not Pinot Noir, give it a chance. It could be incredible and, who knows, in a parallel universe, it could perhaps have been the “Pinot Noir” of the Valley. 

So why is Pinot Noir such a thing in Oregon? Didn’t it happen because it was meant to be? Because the WV is the most perfect place, next to Burgundy to grow Pinot Noir? NOPE.