Rose Murray Brown on wine: Pinot noir is my favourite red grape

My favourite red grape might be one of the most difficult to grow, but more countries are now succeeding with pinot noir.

The thin skins of the pinot noir grape make it prone to rot and disease, and it must be grown in a cool microclimate. Finally to make the perfect pinot, the grape needs careful handling in the vineyard.

While Burgundy may be pinot noir's homeland, I have purposely excluded it as there are so many other regions and countries now trying their hand at this tricky grape. Oregon is a well-known destination, but its pinots are very pricey, so I was delighted to find a good one for less than 20. New Zealand is also showing impressive, though expensive, results, Tasmania has some exciting examples, but for the best value succulent ripe pinot noir today, go to Chile.

Under 10

STRATUM PINOT NOIR 2007

(8.79 each for 12, or 10.99, Oddbins)

Marlborough pinot noir is generally quite pricey, but this is excellent value with its ripe sweet flavours and soft oak notes.

COTEAUX DU GIENNOIS PINOT NOIR 2008 Domaine de Villargeau

(8.50, www.thewinesociety.com)

A surprise find from the Loire valley; winemaker Marc Thibault has crafted a juicy ripe, but light style with good tannic grip to the finish.

CONOSUR PINOT NOIR 2009

(5.59 each for 2, or 6.99, Majestic Wine; 7.49, Waitrose, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco, Oddbins)

This might come from Chile's largest wine company, Concha y Toro, but I have found nothing to beat this example as a good value introduction to the grape. It really delivers at a modest price.

Under 20

APSLEY GORGE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2006

(16.67, www.justerinis.com)

One of Australia's best new additions to the pinot circle made by Brian Franklin, who worked in Gevrey Chambertin before setting up in eastern Tasmania near Bicheno. Using minimal intervention techniques similar to Burgundy he has crafted a really finely balanced pinot.

DVERI PAX MODRI PINOT NOIR 2007

(16, www.enjoyserendipity.co.uk, 0208 144 2033)

I have been impressed with all the wines I have tasted from Dveri Pax, a winery based in eastern Slovenia in the Benedictine priory of Maribor. Very well-balanced, ripe, gentle fruit.

LOMA LARGA PINOT NOIR 2007

(12.26, www.justerinis.com)

Casablanca valley is still the key destination for ripe succulent balanced Chilean pinot noir; this has a juicy raspberry and cherry fruit flavour with uncomplicated bitter-sweet notes.

LEMELSON SIX VINEYARDS OREGON PINOT NOIR 2006

(18, www.thewinesociety.com)

Usually Oregon pinot noir is very pricey, but this intriguing six vineyard blend was created by The Wine Society's buyer who spotted the potential of wines excluded from the top Thea wine.

• This article first appeared in The Scotsman, Saturday September 11, 2010 Very plummy.

PAUL BLANCK PINOT NOIR 2008

(12.99, Waitrose)

We never see much pinot noir from Alsace on the shelves, but I was intrigued by the freshness, raspberry fruits and finesse of this one from a leading producer there.

ESCARPMENT PINOT NOIR 2008

(17.39, Great Grog, Edinburgh)

Larry McKenna is a master at producing exotically ripe, succulent, silky, but well-balanced pinot on the terraces of Martinborough. This has had 11 months in 30 per cent new French oak, showing complexity and spicy oak notes.

THE SOCIETY'S CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT NOIR 2008

(12.95, www.thewinesociety.com)

It may just be 20 years since Central Otago started the pinot planting rush, but now it is a hot destination.

This is made by Craggy Range which buys in grapes from growers. A velvet smooth, rich soft plummy pinot. Delicious.