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WSET ® Level 2 Wine > Pinot Noir > Flashcards

Pinot Noir Flashcards

Learn characteristics, winemaking/maturation, and important regions of Pinot Noir.

1
Q

Is Pinot noir thick skinned or thin skinned?

A

Thin skinned

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2
Q

Pinot Noir generally prefers what kind of climate?

A

Cool to moderate

Within this category, Pinot Noir prefers more moderate climates so that it can fully ripen.

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3
Q

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

A

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

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4
Q

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

A

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

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5
Q

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

A
  • 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
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6
Q

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

A

A single-varietal wine

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7
Q

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

A

Large, neutral barrels

Small, new barrels can overwhelm the delicacy of Pinot Noir.

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8
Q

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

A
  • Mushroom
  • Forest floor
  • Crushed leaves
  • Dried rose petals
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9
Q

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

A

Burgundy, France

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10
Q

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?

A

Northern half: Côte de Nuits

Southern half: Côte de Beaune

Côte d’Or translates to ‘golden slope’.

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11
Q

In Burgundy, which direction do the best vineyards face?

A

South and southeast

This is to take advantage of as much sunlight as possible to ripen the grapes in this cool-to-moderate climate.

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12
Q

List the appellation hierarchy of Burgundy from lowest to highest.

A
  1. Bourgogne AOC
  2. Village
  3. Premier Cru
  4. Grand Cru
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13
Q

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

A

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.

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14
Q

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

A
  1. Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
  2. Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC
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15
Q

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

A
  1. Beaune AOC
  2. Pommard AOC
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16
Q

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

A
  1. Clove
  2. Smoke
17
Q

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

A

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.

18
Q

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

A

Near the coast where it’s cooler

Fog and Pacific breezes help keep these coastal areas cool.

19
Q

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

A

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.

20
Q

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

A

San Pablo Bay

21
Q

Fill in the blank:

Western Sonoma is cooled by _____.

A

Pacific breezes

22
Q

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

A

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

23
Q

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

A

California

  • Ripe red fruits
  • Higher use of new oak (overt vanilla flavors)

Burgundy

  • Tart red fruits
  • Subtle use of oak (clove and smoke flavors)
24
Q

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

A
  • Northerly latitude
  • Exposure to Pacific Ocean and its breezes
  • Moderate climate (it’s cooler than California)
25
Q

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

A

Casablanca Valley

Casablanca Valley is cooled by Pacific breezes and morning fog.

26
Q

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

A

Along the coast where Antarctic breezes cool down vines.

27
Q

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

A

Walker Bay

28
Q

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

A
  1. Yarra Valley
  2. Mornington Peninsula
29
Q

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

A

Southern Ocean

30
Q

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

A
  1. Martinborough (North Island)
  2. Marlborough (South Island)
  3. Central Otago (South Island)
31
Q

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

A

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.

WSET ® Level 2 Wine (29 decks)

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