Pinot Noir Flashcards
Learn characteristics, winemaking/maturation, and important regions of Pinot Noir.
Is Pinot noir thick skinned or thin skinned?
Thin skinned
Pinot Noir generally prefers what kind of climate?
Cool to moderate
Within this category, Pinot Noir prefers more moderate climates so that it can fully ripen.
What happens to the flavors of Pinot Noir if it’s grown in a climate that’s too warm?
Flavors will lose their freshness, and overall the fruit flavors will present as cooked or stewed.
Is Pinot Noir considered very hardy or is it prone to rot and disease?
Pinot Noir is prone to rot and disease, primarly because of its thin skin.
Give a quick assessment of Pinot Noir: color in the glass, acidity, tannin, fruit profile.
- 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
Is Pinot Noir often bottled as a single-varietal wine or as one component in big blends?
A single-varietal wine
Is oak aging for Pinot Noir most often done in small, new barrels or large, neutral barrels?
Large, neutral barrels
Small, new barrels can overwhelm the delicacy of Pinot Noir.
Name some of the flavors that are expressed in a developing Pinot Noir.
- Mushroom
- Forest floor
- Crushed leaves
- Dried rose petals
What is arguably the single most important region in the world for Pinot Noir?
Burgundy, France
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?
Northern half: Côte de Nuits
Southern half: Côte de Beaune
Côte d’Or translates to ‘golden slope’.
In Burgundy, which direction do the best vineyards face?
South and southeast
This is to take advantage of as much sunlight as possible to ripen the grapes in this cool-to-moderate climate.
List the appellation hierarchy of Burgundy from lowest to highest.
- Bourgogne AOC
- Village
- Premier Cru
- Grand Cru
Describe the differences between a Bourgogne AOC wine and a Village wine.
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.
Name 2 famous villages for Pinot Noir in the Côte de Nuits.
- Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
- Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC
Name 2 famous villages for Pinot Noir in the Côte de Beaune.
- Beaune AOC
- Pommard AOC
What are 2 subtle notes on a Pinot Noir that would indicate it had spent some time in oak?
- Clove
- Smoke
How do Village wines compare with Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines in Burgundy?
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.
Does Pinot Noir in California perform best near the coast where it’s cooler, or inland where it’s hotter?
Near the coast where it’s cooler
Fog and Pacific breezes help keep these coastal areas cool.
Name 1 appellation in northern California that’s well known for its Pinot Noir.
Carneros
There are many AVAs in Northern Cali known for their Pinot Noir including Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Fort-Ross Seaview, but Carneros is excellent to know as Pinot Noir grows so successfully there.
What’s the name of the body of water that cools down Carneros due to morning fog?
San Pablo Bay
Fill in the blank:
Western Sonoma is cooled by _____.
Pacific breezes
What makes Santa Barbara County a good place to grow Pinot Noir?
Cool Pacific breezes coming from the south and west help prevent Pinot Noir from developing over-ripe flavors.
What are the main differences between Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Pinot Noir from California?
California
- Ripe red fruits
- Higher use of new oak (overt vanilla flavors)
Burgundy
- Tart red fruits
- Subtle use of oak (clove and smoke flavors)
Why is Oregon such a good place for growing Pinot Noir?
- Northerly latitude
- Exposure to Pacific Ocean and its breezes
- Moderate climate (it’s cooler than California)
Which region in Chile is showing promise for making quality Pinot Noir?
Casablanca Valley
Casablanca Valley is cooled by Pacific breezes and morning fog.
Is Pinot Noir production in South Africa focused along the coast where it’s cooler or inland where it’s hotter?
Along the coast where Antarctic breezes cool down vines.
What is one important South African region that’s known for its Pinot Noir?
Walker Bay
What are the 2 regions that grow beautiful Pinot Noir in a more moderate climate despite the general heat of Australia?
- Yarra Valley
- Mornington Peninsula
Which ocean provides cooling breezes to Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula?
Southern Ocean
Name 3 appellations in New Zealand that are well suited for Pinot Noir production.
- Martinborough (North Island)
- Marlborough (South Island)
- Central Otago (South Island)
Why does Central Otago make some of New Zealand’s most powerful Pinot Noir?
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.
