3.1 | Principal Black Grape Varieties - Pinot Noir

Question 1

what are the main characteristics of Pinot Noir?

Answer 1

black grape
thin skin
requires cool to moderate climate 
prone to rot and disease
most intended to be consumed young and fruity. Outstanding examples develop complex tertiary aromas

Question 2

Pinot Noir is typically made as a single-varietal wine, with the exception of which style?

Answer 2

sparkling wine

Question 3

what kind of oak maturation is common for Pinot Noir?

Answer 3

Pinot is often aged in older and larger barrels. New oak can overwhelm its flavors.

Question 4

The best Pinot Noirs have subtle flavors from oak. What are common oak-derived flavors in Pinot?

Answer 4

smoke, cloves

Question 5

What are the important regions for Pinot Noir?

Answer 5

France: Burgundy
Regionally Important Labelling Terms in Burgundy:
-Regional Appellations (Bourgogne AOC)
-Village Appellations
-Premier Cru
-Grand Cru

USA: California (Sonoma, Carneros, Santa Barbara County), Oregon

Chile: Casablanca Valley

South Africa: Walker Bay

Australia: Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula

New Zealand: Martinborough, Marlborough, Central Otago

Question 6

Where are the most celebrated vineyards for Pinot Noir in Burgundy?

Answer 6

Cote d’Or (Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune)

Question 7

Bourgogne AOC is a regional appellation in Burgundy that produces wine from Pinot Noir. What are the characteristics of these wines?

Answer 7

Light to medium body
Low tannins
High acidity
fresh red-fruit flavors
Intended to be consumed while young as lack intensity to age.
Even basic Bourgogne AOC can be expensive due to high demand.

Question 8

Which village wines are produced in the Cote de Nuits and Cote du Beaune?

Answer 8

Cote de Nuits: Gevrey Chambertin and Nuits Saint-Georges

Cote de Beaune: Beaune AOC, Pommard AOC

Question 9

How do the Village wines of Burgundy compare to Bourgogne AOC

Answer 9

vineyards are better situated, slopes have more favorable aspect and well-drained soils. More flavor intensity and complexity and length than Bourgogne AOC. The most famous villages are in the Cote d’Or. the best examples can age in bottle.

Question 10

What are the primary, secondary and tertiary characteristics of premier cru and grand cru Burgundy (pinot noir)?

Answer 10

primary: concentrated red-fruit (strawberries, red cherries)
secondary: subtle oak (cloves, smoke)
tertiary: pronounced tertiary of forest floor, mushroom. can evolve in bottle

Question 11

the best vineyards in Burgundy are situated on slopes facing which direction?

Answer 11

south or southeast

Question 12

Why are best Californian Pinot Noir produced in coastal regions?

Answer 12

moderating coastal influences prevent excessively cooked flavors

Question 13

What are the main coastal influences on Pinot Noir from Carneros, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara County?

Answer 13

Carneros: cooled by morning fog from San Pablo Bay
Sonoma: cooled by Pacific Ocean breezes
Santa Barbara County: cooled by sea breezes from west and south

Question 14

What are the primary, secondary and tertiary aromas of Californian Pinot Noir?

Answer 14

primary: ripe red fruit (strawberry, red cherry)
secondary: notable oak (vanilla)
tertiary: the best examples develop tertiary. Forest floor, mushroom.

Question 15

Why is Oregon’s climate ideal for growing Pinot Noir?

Answer 15

moderate climate, northerly latitude and exposure to Pacific Ocean. It is cooler than California.

Question 16

What are the primary, secondary, and tertiary characteristics of Oregon Pinot Noir?

Answer 16

primary: complex, red fruit
secondary: subtle oak (smoke, cloves)
tertiary: with bottle age can develop tertiary. mushroom, earth.

Question 17

What characterizes the aromas of Pinot Noir from Casablanca Valley in Chile?

Answer 17

very good Pinot Noir, very fruity. Often has aromas of cooked strawberries.

Question 18

Which region represents good value for Pinot Noir?

Answer 18

Casablanca Valley (chile)

Question 19

What is the climate of Casablanca Valley?

Answer 19

coastal influences from Pacific Ocean (sea breezes), also has morning fog.

Question 20

What is the climate and characteristics of Pinot Noir from Walker Bay in South Africa?

Answer 20

climate: one of coolest coastal regions in South Africa. Has strong, south-blowing sea breezes.
characteristics: vibrant red-fruit. Quality is very good to outstanding

Question 21

What characterizes the Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula in Australia?

Answer 21

styles vary from light and fragrant, to riper styles with cooked red-fruit flavors (red plum, strawberry) and medium tannins

Question 22

What is the premier black grape variety in New Zealand?

Answer 22

pinot noir

Question 23

Which region in New Zealand produces most powerful and ripest style of Pinot Noir?

Answer 23

Central Otago

Question 24

What is the climate and characteristics of Pinot from Central Otago, New Zealand?

Answer 24

climate: protected from sea breezes and rains by ring of mountains. Has intensely sunny days, cool nights.

Characteristics: intense and powerful. Pronounced red fruit
medium to full body
medium tannins
often matured in oak. May require a few years of bottle age to reach its full potential.