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?

Answer 2

Cool to moderate

Within 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

Is Pinot Noir often bottled as a single varietal or one component in big blends?

Answer 6

A single varietal

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 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 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 half: Côte de Nuits
Southern half: Côte de Beaune

Côte d’Or translates to ‘golden slope’.

Question 11

In Burgundy, which direction do the best vineyards face?

Answer 11

South and southeast

This is to 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 AOC
2. Village
3. Premier Cru
4. 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.

Most 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 AOC
2. Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC

Question 15

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

Answer 15

1. Beaune AOC
2. 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. Clove
2. Smoke

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Village wines
* Show flavor intensity
* Have good complexity and length
* Are able to age a few years in the bottle
* Come from well-positioned slopes and aspects with well-draining soil

Premier and Grand Cru wines
* Are the best of the best
* Are the most complex, concentrated, and intense
* Vineyards are always mid-slope where the sun shines the longest
* Can age for many years, even decades

Some Premier and Grand Cru wines are so rare their prices start in the thousands upon release.

Question 18

Does Pinot Noir in California perform best near the coast where it’s cooler, or inland where it’s hotter?

Answer 18

Near the coast where it’s cooler

Fog 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

What’s the name of the body of water that cools down Carneros due to morning fog?

Answer 20

San Pablo Bay

Question 21

Fill in the blank:

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

What are 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

Casablanca Valley is cooled by Pacific breezes and morning fog.

Question 26

Is Pinot Noir production in South Africa focused along the coast where it’s cooler or inland where it’s hotter?

Answer 26

Along the coast where Antarctic breezes cool down vines.

Question 27

What is one important South African region that’s known for its Pinot Noir?

Answer 27

Walker Bay

Question 28

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

Answer 28

1. Yarra Valley
2. Mornington Peninsula

Question 29

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

Answer 29

Southern Ocean

Question 30

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

Answer 30

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

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Central Otago is in a rain shadow

A rain shadow protects the Pinot Noir from cool Pacific breezes and bad weather which give the grapes unlimited sunshine to fully ripen.