Pinot Noir Flashcards
1
Q
General characteristics of Pinot Noir:
A
- Difficult to grow- Less than 2% of grapes are Pinot Noir - Very easy variety to drink- Many have soft, light tannins and do not need time in the bottle to evolve attractive flavors.- Except for the best from Burgundy, best consumed youthful and fruity.- Thin skins and light in color.
2
Q
Pinot Noir climates and best characteristics:
A
- Hot: becomes jammy.- Too cool: grapes don’t ripen and will have excessive vegetal flavors.- Likes moderate or cool climates.- Displays red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, cherry) with vegetal and animal nuances (wet leaves, mushroom, gamey-meaty aromas).
3
Q
Classic Pinot Noir:
A
- Red Burgundy- Bourgogne AC = 100% Pinot Noir- Wines from the different villages show slightly different aspects so they are given their own appellations.
4
Q
What are the individual villages of Bourgogne AC?
A
- Gevrey-Chambertin- Nuits-Saint-George- Beaune- Pommard
5
Q
What does Germany call Pinot Noir?
A
Spätburgunder
6
Q
Where does Germany grow Pinot Noir?
A
Southern regions of Pfalz and Baden.
7
Q
What is the German Pinot Noir climate like and what are the wine characteristics?
A
- Cool climate- Typical style has pronounced, perfumed red berry fruit and light tannins.
8
Q
Australia climate and style of Pinot Noir:
A
- Most is too hot- Places that benefit from ocean breezes cooling effects or altitude, such as Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
9
Q
North American regions and characteristics of Pinot Noir:
A
- Carneros, cooler parts of Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties: full-bodied, intensely fruity but some display pronounced animal and vegetal characteristics (leather, meat, wet leaves)- Oregon: suitable moderate climate where some very high-quality Pinots are produced
10
Q
Characteristics of NZ Pinot Noir:
A
- most promise to rival Burgundy.- Generally more full-bodied, with lower acidity and more intense red fruit (cherry, strawberry) than the Burgundy wines.- Spicy notes often accompany red fruit flavors- Martinborough and Central Otago make the ripest, most intense NZ Pinots.- In Martinborough, a lighter style is grown and used for sparkling wine.
11
Q
South American regions and characteristics of Pinot Noir:
A
- Casablanca and San Antonio subregions of Chile.- Intensely fruity Pinot Noirs often with flavors of strawberry jam.- Only country to produce some inexpensive Pinots is a soft, fruity style.
12
Q
South Africa and Pinot Noir:
A
- makes some high quality Pinots in small quantities on the coast.
13
Q
Pinot Noir blends:
A
- Champagne- Gamey - Pinot Noir = basic Red Burgundies
14
Q
What are the characteristics of Bourgogne AC:The villages:Premier Cru:Grand Cru:
A
- Bourgogne AC: med-bodied with a balance of red-fruit and savory aromas, light tannins and med-to-high acidityVillages: intensity, complexity and length.- Premier Cru: intensity, complexity and length.- Grand Cru: such as Le Chambertin: most powerful, long-lived and complex Pinot wines in the world. Expensive.
