Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a variety of Vitis vinifera, the red grape used commonly in winemaking, and may also refer to wines produced predominantly from pinot noir grapes. Pinot noir grapes are grown in diverse locations around the world, but the grape is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France. Production of pinot noir dates back over two thousand years.
It is widely considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world, but is a difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine.
Pinot noir thrives in France`s Burgundy region, particularly in the Côte d`Or which has produced some of the world`s most celebrated wines for centuries. It is also planted in Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, California, South Africa, the Okanagan Valley in Canada, New Zealand and Chile, with some of the best regarded coming from California`s Sonoma County with its Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast Appellations, as well as the Central Coast`s Santa Lucia Highlands appellation; the Willamette Valley in Oregon; Martinborough, Waipara, and Central Otago in New Zealand.
The leaves of the pinot are approximately 12 cm (5 inches) in diameter, smaller than the cabernet sauvignon although larger than the syrah. The grape cluster is small and cylindrical, vaguely shaped like a pine cone. Some viticultural historians believe this shape may have given rise to the name.
The pinot noir tends to produce narrow trunks and branches. In the vineyard it is sensitive to light exposure, cropping levels (it must be low yielding), soil types and pruning techniques. In the winery it is sensitive to fermentation methods, yeast strains and is highly reflective of its terroir with different regions producing very different wines. Its thin skin makes it highly susceptible to bunch rot and other fungal diseases. The vines themselves are prone to downy mildew, leaf roll, and fanleaf. These complications have given the grape the reputation of being difficult to grow: Jancis Robinson calls pinot a `minx of a vine` and André Tchelistcheff declared that `God made cabernet sauvignon whereas the devil made pinot noir.`
However, pinot wines are among the most popular in the world. Joel Fleischman of Vanity Fair describes pinot noir as `the most romantic of wines, with so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, and so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic.` Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon calls pinot `sex in a glass.`
The tremendously broad range of bouquets, flavors, textures and impressions that pinot noir can produce sometimes confuses tasters. In the broadest terms, the wine tends to be of light to medium body with an aroma reminiscent of black cherry, raspberry or currant. The grape`s color when young, often compared to that of garnet, is often much lighter than that of other red wines. This is because pinot noir has relatively small amounts of red pigment due to its thin skin.
It is also used in the production of Champagne (usually along with Chardonnay and Pinot meunier) and is planted in most of the world`s wine growing regions for use in both still and sparkling wines. Pinot noir grown for dry table wines is generally low-yielding and often difficult to grow well. Pinot noir grown for use in sparkling wines (e.g. Champagne) is generally higher yielding.
In addition to being used for the production of sparkling and still red wine, pinot noir is also sometimes used for rosé still wines, and even vin gris white wines.
Pinot noir is very prone to mutation. The widely used varieties pinot gris, pinot blanc and pinot meunier are also relatives of pinor noir. As of 1990, there were some 46 clones of pinot noir widely used in France. This compared to only 32 clones of the much more widely planted cabernet sauvignon.
In South Africa, pinot noir has been crossed with the cinsaut grape to make a unique variety called pinotage.
Recent popularity
During 2004 and the beginning of 2005, pinot noir became considerably more popular amongst consumers in the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Being lighter in style, it has benefitted from a trend toward more restrained, less alcoholic wines. Pinot noir was also heavily featured in the 2004 film Sideways. In the film, the main character Miles describes pinot to his love interest:
`It`s a hard grape to grow ... it`s thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early ... it`s not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and thrive even when it`s neglected. No, pinot needs constant care and attention ... it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked-away corners of the world. And only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand pinot`s potential can then coax it into its fullest expression.`
And Robert Parker has described pinot noir in Parker`s Wine Buying Guide: `When it`s great, pinot noir produces the most complex, hedonistic, and remarkably thrilling red wine in the world...`
This article is based entirely or in part on the
Pinot Noir wikipedia article
and is licenced under the terms of the
GNU Free Documentation Licence.
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In this categoryBeaune Clos des Mouches Blanc Premier Cru 1991
On the Mont Saint-Desiré: hillside, bordering Pommard, the climat ha exposure. The name Clos des Mouches comes from the beekeeping which had been been practiced there. In the spoken French of the middle Ages ``Les Mouches`` (Flies meant ``Les Abeilles``(Bees). The white wine is produced from the highest part of the vineyard which is planted with Chardonnay and makes elegant, aromatic and classical wines. It has certain similarities with the 1er Cru wines from Puligny Montrachet and is equally highly regarded. ``Yellow fruit aromas mingled with a nice touch of oak. Good structure and long finish. [read on...]
Vintage: non-vintag Color: unspecifie Country: France Region: Beaune Code: 42311
Beaune Geves 1er Cru 2007
As the saying goes 'all roads lead to Rome, but the finest passes through Beaune'! This historic and beautiful town is regarded as the capital of Burgandy and very worthwhile a detour to visit. Their wines are distinguished, complex, intriging, beguiling and immensely pleasing. This wine from the top 'Les Greves' 1er Cru classification encompasses all the verry best qualitties. The nose reflects cherry pips, and in the mouth there in big fruit in harmony with fine silky tannis. [read on...]
A B V: 13% Vintage: 2007 Color: red Country: France Code: 73962
Beaune-Cent-Vignes,1er Cru 1992 Ch.de Meursault
The vines used to produce this wine are grown oin the top edge of the favoured Feves. It has a bouquet of cooked fruits and plums with spicy undertones and a delicious rich well-rounded mature flavour with the remotest hint of oak. For current drinking. [read on...]
Vintage: 1992 Color: unspecifie Country: France Region: Beaune Code: 41712
Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes 2009
The grapes from this specially-selected parcel of mature vines are aged in oak barrels for 9 months after fermentation. The resulting wine is rich yet with well-balanced acidity. [read on...]
A B V: 12.9% Vintage: 2009 Color: red Country: France Code: 76473
Bourgone Rosé 2008
Made from Pinot NOir this delicious, fruity crisp pale rosé makes an excellent and different addition to our extensive rosé wine listing, with mouth watering moreish flavours of crushed raspberries, black cherries and red currents. It is versatile and can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with food especially crab and lobster. [read on...]
A B V: 12.5% Vintage: 2008 Color: rose Country: France Code: 72338
Bruno Paillard Bouzy Rouge
Still red made from grapes grown in the famous Champagne village of Bouzy. Bottled in 1994. [read on...]
A B V: 12% Vintage: -1 Color: Country: France Region: Champagne Code: 39844
Côtes de Beaune Clos de la Perriere 07
Top accolades for this truly outstanding Burgundy and with every justification. It shows the noble Pinot Noir at its magnificant best. It features expressions of red fruits and 'sous-bois' with fine intregrated velvety tannis. Awarded the maximum *** and Coup de Voeur in Hachette. [read on...]
A B V: 13% Vintage: 2007 Color: red Country: France Code: 73937
Ch.de Villelongue Cremant de Limoux Brut 09
Made upo of 60% Chardonnay, 30% Chenin Blanc and 10% Pinot Noir grown on the favourable Coteaux de Villelongue. Pale with a delicate mousse it has a serious intense bouquet of white flowers, fruit jam, citrus and honey which follow on to the palate which is rich and complex with a rare harmony. Mautre and delicious. Ideal as an aperitif or with noble fish. Awarded 3*** in Hachette. [read on...]
A B V: 12% Vintage: 2009 Color: white Country: France Code: 76421
Chambolle-Musigny 1994 Taupenot-Merme
Excellent ripeness and seductive plumpness. Raspberries and spice intermingle. A long finish. [read on...]
A B V: 13% Vintage: 1994 Color: red Country: France Region: Burgundy Code: 44883
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