Pinot Noir

Question 1

Describe the Pinot Noir Grape

Answer 1

It is a black grape variety with thin skins and is prone to rot and disease

Question 2

What climates is Pinot Noir grown in? Why?

Answer 2

Cool to moderate climates, if it is too hot the wine will lack varietal character

Question 3

Describe the colour intensity, sweetness, acidity, tannins, body and primary characteristics depending on ripeness

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

How does Pinot Noir interact with oak? What are the maturation options?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

When does Pinot Noir appear in a blend?

Answer 5

Generally only in Champagne style sparkling wines

Question 6

Name the regions in France that grow Pinot Noir

Answer 6

Burgundy, Champagne

Question 7

Name the regions in the US that grow Pinot Noir

Answer 7

Sonoma, Carneros, Santa Barbara County, Oregon

Question 8

Name the regions in Chile that grow Pinot Noir

Answer 8

Casablanca Valley

Question 9

Name the regions in South Africa that grow Pinot Noir

Answer 9

Walker Bay

Question 10

Name the regions in Australia that grow Pinot Noir

Answer 10

Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula

Question 11

Name the regions in New Zealand that grow Pinot Noir

Answer 11

Martinborough, Marlborough, Central Otago

Question 12

Describe the climate of Burgundy

Answer 12

Ranges from cool in the north to moderate in the south.

Question 13

Where is Pinot Noir best suited in Burgundy? What is the region’s name? What two subregions is it broken down into?

Answer 13

The moderate south.

Cote d’Or

Cote de Nuits

Cote de Beaune

Question 14

Apart from climate, what is the determining factor of Pinot Noir quality in Burgundy

Answer 14

Aspect, must face south to south-east

Question 15

What is the AOC of regional style burgundy called? Describe it

Answer 15

Bourgogne AOC. light to medium body, low tannin, high acid, fresh red fruit, drink young

Question 16

What are the four levels of Burgundian Pinot Noir?

Answer 16

Bourgogne AOC, Village, Premier Cru, Grand Cru

Question 17

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.

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Describe Burgundian Premier and Grand Cru Pinot Noir wine, what distinguishes these wines?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Describe the climate of California in respect to Pinot Noir. Are there any moderating influences that make growing Pinot Noir possible?

Answer 19

Generally too warm, but the moderating effects of the Pacific Ocean, including breezes and fog help cool sites down

Question 20

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?

Answer 20

Generally ripe, notable amounts of oak. The very best are capable of botle aging

Question 21

Name the three regions in California that produce quality Pinot Noir and explain the climatically moderating factor/s that make it possible.

Answer 21

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

Question 22

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?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Where in Chile is Casablanca Valley? What are its moderating influences? Describe its Pinot Noir

Answer 23

North of Santiago. Cool sea breezes and morning fog from the Pacific Ocean. Very fruity, cooked strawberries.

Question 24

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?

Answer 24

South Africa. Moderated by strong southerly sea breezes. Vibrant red fruit, very good to outstanding wine

Question 25

What are the two principle regions for Pinot Noir in Australia? What are their moderating qualities? Describe wine made there

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What are the climates of Martinborough and Marlborough? What is the quality of their Pinot Noir

Answer 26

cool to moderate. Very good to outstanding

Question 27

Describe Central Otago Pinot Noir. What are its moderating inflences?

Answer 27

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