Pinot Noir Flashcards
Describe the Pinot Noir Grape
It is a black grape variety with thin skins and is prone to rot and disease
What climates is Pinot Noir grown in? Why?
Cool to moderate climates, if it is too hot the wine will lack varietal character
Describe the colour intensity, sweetness, acidity, tannins, body and primary characteristics depending on ripeness
Pale to medium colour, dry, high acidity, low or medium tannins and light or medium body. Light or medium flavours of red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, red cherry) that can range from fresh to cooked depending on the ripeness of the grapes.
How does Pinot Noir interact with oak? What are the maturation options?
Pinot Noir can be easily overwhelmed by oak, the best Pinot Noir has a subtle touch.
Older oak and / or larger formats are used to impart more subtle flavours.
When does Pinot Noir appear in a blend?
Generally only in Champagne style sparkling wines
Name the regions in France that grow Pinot Noir
Burgundy, Champagne
Name the regions in the US that grow Pinot Noir
Sonoma, Carneros, Santa Barbara County, Oregon
Name the regions in Chile that grow Pinot Noir
Casablanca Valley
Name the regions in South Africa that grow Pinot Noir
Walker Bay
Name the regions in Australia that grow Pinot Noir
Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula
Name the regions in New Zealand that grow Pinot Noir
Martinborough, Marlborough, Central Otago
Describe the climate of Burgundy
Ranges from cool in the north to moderate in the south.
Where is Pinot Noir best suited in Burgundy? What is the region’s name? What two subregions is it broken down into?
The moderate south.
Cote d’Or
Cote de Nuits
Cote de Beaune
Apart from climate, what is the determining factor of Pinot Noir quality in Burgundy
Aspect, must face south to south-east
What is the AOC of regional style burgundy called? Describe it
Bourgogne AOC. light to medium body, low tannin, high acid, fresh red fruit, drink young
What are the four levels of Burgundian Pinot Noir?
Bourgogne AOC, Village, Premier Cru, Grand Cru
What distinguishes Village vineyard sites? Describe Village Pinot Noir. Name the two famous villages in Cote de Nuits and the two in Cote de Beaune.
Better situated, better aspects, better draining soils. intensity of flavour, complexity and more length than regional wine.
In Cote de Nuits there is Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges. in Cote de Beaune there is Beaune and Pommard
Describe Burgundian Premier and Grand Cru Pinot Noir wine, what distinguishes these wines?
Concentrated red fruit with oak and tertiary flavours of mushroom and forest floor.
Made from fruit grown in the very best sites, particularly south to south east aspects.
Describe the climate of California in respect to Pinot Noir. Are there any moderating influences that make growing Pinot Noir possible?
Generally too warm, but the moderating effects of the Pacific Ocean, including breezes and fog help cool sites down
Describe the ripeness and level of fruit in Californian Pinot Noir. Are there any examples of fruit high enough in quality to be capable of developing tertiary notes?
Generally ripe, notable amounts of oak. The very best are capable of botle aging
Name the three regions in California that produce quality Pinot Noir and explain the climatically moderating factor/s that make it possible.
Carneros - cooled by morning fog from San Pablo Bay
Sonoma - cooled by sea breezes
Santa Barbara County, cooled by sea breezes from the west and south
What is the quality of Oregon Pinot Noir? What is the climate of Oregon? What are its moderating features? What are its primary, secondary and tertiary notes?
Very good to outsanding
Oregon is moderate with a northerly latitude and exposure to Pacific Ocean.
Complex with fresh flavoured fruit, oak, earth and mushroom tertiary notes
Where in Chile is Casablanca Valley? What are its moderating influences? Describe its Pinot Noir
North of Santiago. Cool sea breezes and morning fog from the Pacific Ocean. Very fruity, cooked strawberries.
Where is Walker Bay? What are its moderating influences? What is the fruit flavour in the wine like? What is the quality of wine made there?
South Africa. Moderated by strong southerly sea breezes. Vibrant red fruit, very good to outstanding wine
What are the two principle regions for Pinot Noir in Australia? What are their moderating qualities? Describe wine made there
Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, cooled by sea breezes from the Southern Ocean
Style ranges from light and fragrant to fully ripe cooked fruit and medium tannin
What are the climates of Martinborough and Marlborough? What is the quality of their Pinot Noir
cool to moderate. Very good to outstanding
Describe Central Otago Pinot Noir. What are its moderating inflences?
Ripe, powerful red fruit, medium tannins, medium to full body, oak, requires resting
Very south but protected from inclimate weather and breezes by a ring of mountains
