On 18th August 2026, we’re raising a glass to the grape that holds a very special place in Raymond’s heart.

It’s International Pinot Noir Day and at Brasserie Blanc there’s really only one way to mark it: with a glass of something silky, seasoned and utterly French, poured alongside a plate that deserves it.

Why Pinot Noir Holds Raymond’s Heart

“My favourite wine is Pinot Noir,” Raymond says, and he means it in the broadest possible sense.

He loves it from the simplest bottle to the most expensive, drawn to the grape not for status but for what it gives back in the glass.

For a man who has spent a lifetime coaxing flavour from simple, honest ingredients, that quiet complexity feels like a kindred spirit.

The Pinot Noir Waiting For You At Brasserie Blanc

Come and meet the bottle we’ve chosen to celebrate with: Pinot Noir L’Artiste, VDF Loire Valley, from Famille Bougrier.

A light cherry red with ruby reflections, it greets you with a nose of red fruits, think Morello cherry and redcurrant, lifted by a delicate floral note.

On the palate it’s supple and tender, the tannins well integrated, unfolding into gentle notes of undergrowth, with a juicy, appealing freshness on the finish.

There’s real heart behind the bottle too. The Bougrier family has tended this winery since 1885, six generations strong, and the L’Artiste range is a tribute to grandfather Jean-Claude, the teacher and artist behind the wines, who hid behind his cap and gave those around him so much joy and laughter.

You’ll find it by the glass, carafe or by the bottle, ready whenever you are.

Perfect Pairings From Our Menu

We’ve been thinking about how best to enjoy your glass, and a few dishes on our menu are practically made for it.

• Confit de Cuisse de Canard Gressingham: our confit duck leg with dauphinoise, carrot and candied orange is the classic match. Pinot Noir’s soft tannins and red fruit sit beautifully against the richness of the duck.
• Suprême de Poulet Fermier Poêlé: the tarragon and mustard beurre blanc on our pan-fried chicken supreme brings out the wine’s savoury side.
• Travers de Boeuf Braisé: our slow-cooked beef short rib is deeply flavoured and a glass of Pinot Noir has just enough structure to keep pace without overpowering it.
• Crêpes Franc-Comtoise: for something meatfree, the earthy mushroom, spinach and Swiss chard in this dish plays wonderfully with Pinot Noir’s own gentle earthiness.
• Selection de Fromages: if you’d rather finish than start, our cheese board of Brillat-Savarin, Saint-Nectaire, Bouchette, Keen’s Cheddar and Shropshire Blue is a joyful way to see your glass out.

Join Us on 18th August

So come and toast the grape Raymond has loved for a lifetime. Whether you’re new to Pinot Noir or it’s already your usual order, we’ll have a glass waiting and a table ready to welcome you. Santé, and we’ll see you at ours.