3.6 Pinot Noir

Question 1

Is Pinot Noir thick skinned?

Answer 1

No, it is a thin skinned grape.

Question 2

What climate type does Pinot Noir prefer?

Answer 2

Cool to Moderate

If the climate’s too warm, the flavors may lose their freshness and become reminiscent of cooked fruit

Question 3

Is Pinot Noir easy to grow? Why or why not?

Answer 3

No. Pinot Noir is prone to rot and disease, primarily because of its thin skin.

In poor vintage years, it can be difficult to produce even small amounts of quality Pinot.

Question 4

What’s the flavor profile of Pinot Noir?

Answer 4

Usually red fruits, such as cranberry, red cherry, and strawberry- ranging from fresh to cooked.

Question 5

What’s the color and structure of Pinot Noir?

Answer 5

Color: Pale to medium intensity, ruby/garnet
Acid: High (can be M+)
Tannin: Usually medium, can be low

Question 6

Is Pinot Noir generally produced as a blend or single-varietal?

Answer 6

Single-varietal

(except in Champagne)

Question 7

Is oak aging for Pinot Noir most often done in small, new barrels or large, neutral barrels?

Answer 7

Large neutral barrels.

Small new barrels easily overwhelm Pinot’s delicate aromas and flavors.

Some producers use a small percentage of new oak.

Pinot oak aromas/flavors often include smoke, cloves & vanilla)

Question 8

What tertiary flavors develop in age-worthy examples of Pinot Noir?

Answer 8

• Mushroom
• Forest floor

also violet
rose petals
dried fruit

Question 9

What region is the “home” of Pinot Noir?

Answer 9

Burgundy. France

Question 10

The top vineyards of Burgundy are found in a particular part of the region called the Côte d’or, which is divided into 2 sections: a northern half and a southern half. What are the names of those 2 sections?

Answer 10

Northern : Côte de Nuits
Southern : Côte de Beaune

Question 11

Translate Cote d’Or

Answer 11

Côte d’Or translates to ‘golden slope’.

Question 12

Describe the Burgundian Quality pyramid

Answer 12

Top wines: Grand Cru
2nd tier: Premier Cru
3rd tierz; Village wines
4th tier: Regional wines (Burgogne AOC)

Question 13

Describe the differences between a Bourgogne AOC wine and a Village wine.

Answer 13

Bourgogne AOC will show lighter body, less intensity, and less longevity vs. a wine at the Village level. These wines are meant for immediate consumption.

Village-level wines will show more flavorful and complex characteristics, and will be better suited for aging than Bourgogne AOC.

Most Village-level vines are planted in vineyards with better-draining soils and good aspect compared to Bourgogne AOC vines.

Question 14

Name 2 famous villages for Pinot Noir in the Côte de Nuits. and 2 in the Cote de Beane.

Answer 14

Cote de Nuits:
Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC

Cote de Beaune:
Beaune AOC
Pommard AOC

Question 15

How do Village wines compare with Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines in Burgundy?

Answer 15

Village wines
Flavor intensity
Good complexity and length
Able to age a few years in the bottle
Grown on well-positioned slopes and aspects with
well-draining soil

Premier and Grand Cru wines
Are the creme de la creme
Complex, concentrated, and intense
Vineyards are almost ALWAYS mid-slope where the sun
shines the longest
Can often age for decades
HIGH prices!!!!

Question 16

While California is generally too warm to grow quality Pinot Noir grapes, name some pockets where the finicky grape can thrive.

Answer 16

Los Carneros
Sonoma
Santa Barbara County

Question 17

What California climate features create good vineyard sites for Pinot Noir?

Answer 17

Proximity to the cool coast
Fog and coastal breezes

Question 18

What feature benefits Los Carneros for PN production?

Answer 18

Cool morning fog from San Pablo Bay

Question 19

What feature benefits western Sonoma for PN production?

Answer 19

Cool Pacific Ocean breezes

Question 20

What feature benefits Santa Barbarba County for PN production?

Answer 20

Cool Ocean breezes from bot the West and South.

Question 21

Describe the flavor profile of California PN.

Answer 21

Red fruit
smoke, clove & vanilla

with age: forest floor & mushroom

Question 22

What are the main differences between Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Pinot Noir from California?

Answer 22

Burgundy
* Tart red fruits
* Subtle use of oak (clove and smoke)

California
* Riper red fruits
* Higher use of new oak (vanilla)

Question 23

Why does Oregon have good terroir for Pinot Noir?

Answer 23

Northern latitude
Pacific Ocean and its breezes
Moderate Climate (cooler than California)

Question 24

Which region in Chile is well suited for making quality Pinot Noir?

Answer 24

Casablanca Valley (cooled by ocean breezes and morning fog)

Question 25

Which region in South Africa is well suited for making quality Pinot Noir?

Answer 25

Walker Bay (Southerly Ocean breezes)

Question 26

Which regions in Australis are well suited for making quality Pinot Noir?

Answer 26

Yarra Valley & Mornington Peninsula (cool breeze from Southern Ocean)

Question 27

Which regions in New Zealand are well suited for making quality Pinot Noir?

Answer 27

Martinbourough
Marlbourough
Central Otago

Question 28

Why does Central Otago make some of New Zealand’s most powerful Pinot Noir?

Answer 28

A ring of mountains protects the Pinot Noir from cool sea breezes and rain which provides abundant sunshine and cool, nights.