Pinot Noir

Question 1

Is Pinot noir thick skinned or thin skinned?

Answer 1

Thin skinned

Question 2

Pinot Noir generally prefers what kind of climate?:* warm to hot* cool to moderate

Answer 2

Cool to moderate## FootnoteWithin this category, Pinot Noir prefers more moderate climates so that it can fully ripen.

Question 3

What happens to the flavors of Pinot Noir if it’s grown in a climate that’s too warm?

Answer 3

Flavors will lose their freshness, and overall the fruit flavors will present as cooked or stewed.

Question 4

Is Pinot Noir considered very hardy or is it prone to rot and disease?

Answer 4

Pinot Noir is prone to rot and disease, primarly because of its thin skin.

Question 5

Give a quick assessment of Pinot Noir: color in the glass, acidity, tannin, fruit profile.

Answer 5

• Color: pale to medium* Acidity: usually high* Tannin: usually medium, but can be low* Fruit profile: red fruits, such as cherry, cranberry, strawberry, and pomegranate

Question 6

Pinot Noir is often bottled as:* a single varietal* one component in big blends

Answer 6

A single varietal

Question 7

Oak aging for Pinot Noir is most often done in:* small, new barrels* large, neutral barrels

Answer 7

Large, neutral barrels## FootnoteSmall, new barrels can overwhelm the delicacy of Pinot Noir.

Question 8

Name some of the flavors that are expressed in a developing Pinot Noir.

Answer 8

• Mushroom* Forest floor* Crushed leaves* Dried rose petals

Question 9

What is arguably the single most important region in the world for Pinot Noir?

Answer 9

Burgundy, France

Question 10

The most acclaimed vineyards of Burgundy are found in a particular part of the region called the _____ _____, which is divided into 2 sections: a northern half and a southern half.What are the names of those 2 sections?

Answer 10

​Most acclaimed vineyards in the Côte d’Or.Northern half: Côte de NuitsSouthern half: Côte de Beaune## FootnoteCôte d’Or translates to ‘golden slope’.

Question 11

In Burgundy, which direction do the best vineyards face?Why?

Answer 11

South and southeastTo take advantage of as much sunlight as possible to ripen the grapes in this cool-to-moderate climate.

Question 12

List the appellation hierarchy of Burgundy from lowest to highest.

Answer 12

1. Bourgogne AOC2. Village3. Premier Cru4. Grand Cru

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.Village-level wines will show more flavorful and complex characteristics, and will be better suited for aging than Bourgogne AOC.## FootnoteMost Village-level vines are planted in vineyards with better-draining soils and beneficial slopes and aspect vs. Bourgogne AOC vines.

Question 14

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

Answer 14

1. Gevrey-Chambertin AOC2. Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC

Question 15

Name 2 famous villages for Pinot Noir in the Côte de Beaune.

Answer 15

1. Beaune AOC2. Pommard AOC

Question 16

What are 2 subtle notes on a Pinot Noir that would indicate it had spent some time in oak?

Answer 16

1. Clove2. Smoke

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Village wines show flavor intensity, good complexity and length; they are also able to age a few years in the bottle. Village wines come from well-positioned slopes and aspects with well-draining soil.Premier and Grand Cru wines are the best of the best. They are the most complex, the most concentrated, the most intense, and the vineyards are always mid-slope where the sun shines the longest. They can age for many years, even decades. Some are so rare their prices start in the thousands upon release.

Question 18

Pinot Noir in California performs best when it’s:* near the coast where it’s cooler* inland where it’s hotter

Answer 18

Near the coast where it’s cooler## FootnoteFog and Pacific breezes help keep these coastal areas cool.

Question 19

Name 1 appellation in northern California that’s well known for its Pinot Noir.

Answer 19

Carneros

Question 20

Morning fog created by this body of water cools down Carneros.

Answer 20

San Pablo Bay

Question 21

Western Sonoma is cooled by _____.

Answer 21

Pacific breezes

Question 22

What makes Santa Barbara County a good place to grow Pinot Noir?

Answer 22

Cool Pacific breezes coming from the south and west help prevent Pinot Noir from developing over-ripe flavors.

Question 23

Describe the main differences between Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Pinot Noir from California.

Answer 23

California* Ripe red fruits* Higher use of new oak (overt vanilla flavors)Burgundy* Tart red fruits* Subtle use of oak (clove and smoke flavors)

Question 24

Why is Oregon such a good place for growing Pinot Noir?

Answer 24

• Northerly latitude* Exposure to Pacific Ocean and its breezes* Moderate climate (it’s cooler than California)

Question 25

Which region in Chile is showing promise for making quality Pinot Noir?

Answer 25

Casablanca Valley## FootnoteCasablanca Valley is cooled by Pacific breezes and morning fog.

Question 26

Pinot Noir production in South Africa is focused where: along the coast where it’s cooler or inland where it’s hotter?Name one South African region that’s known for its Pinot Noir.

Answer 26

Along the coast where Antarctic breezes cool down vines.Walker Bay is known for its Pinot Noir.

Question 27

Despite the general heat of Australia there are 2 regions that grow beautiful Pinot Noir in a more moderate climate.What are those 2 regions?

Answer 27

1. Yarra Valley2. Mornington Peninsula

Question 28

Which ocean provides cooling breezes to Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula?

Answer 28

Southern Ocean

Question 29

Name 3 appellations in New Zealand that are well suited for Pinot Noir production.

Answer 29

1. Martinborough (North Island)2. Marlborough (South Island)3. Central Otago (South Island)

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Central Otago is in a rain shadow which protects it from cool Pacific breezes and bad weather which give the grapes unlimited sunshine to fully ripen.