The lightest pinot noirs in the U.S. are made in Oregon.
Answer: False.
Oregon certainly has a justifiable reputation for making many light-bodied, elegant pinot noirs. But Oregon does not have a monopoly on such wines. In fact, one could successfully argue that in the last few years, many Oregon pinots have gotten quite a bit riper, fleshier, more extracted, and fuller bodied. It’s an issue of style. At the same time, California’s Sonoma Coast and South Central Coast (which in parts are cooler than Oregon) often make very light bodied, elegant pinots. And we should not forget upstate New York!