If you consider yourself a true pinot fanatic, you can’t seriously overlook the Californian expressions. There’s quality and magic in the region to rival even Burgundy. Though, honestly, why work your way through hundreds of bottles to find the good stuff when you can start at the very top? This is premium stuff from the one-man wonder-winery, founded by ex-Manhattan financier Jamie Kutch. This is a man who left a substantial east coast salary to follow his dreams of making wine of heart-wrenching elegance under a Californian sun.

You’ll know that pinot noir expresses terroir like no other. So, if this is your first foray into American wines, you can be sure this’ll give you the very soul of the land. It’s an excellent way to rise above, too. Let your mates bicker over Yarra vs. Mornington till they’re blue in the face. Then, you pull out one of these, and enjoy the reverential hush that follows.