Pinot Noir Flashcards
characteristics of the Pinot Noir grape
Black grape, thin skin, prone to rot and diseases, medium colour, high acidity, low/medium tannins, red fruit flavors, cool to moderate climate
Maturation & winemaking options
Single variety grape, with exception of Champagne
Often older barrel oak matured: Smoke, cloves
New oak can overwhelm the delicate flavors
Tertiary: forest floor, mushrooms
Regions of Pinot Noir outside France (GI)
USA California - Carneros: Morning fogs from San Pablo Bay
USA California - Sonoma west: Pacific Ocean breeze
USA California - Santa Barbara, central: Sea breeze from south en west
–> ripe red fruits, Oak vanilla
–> can develop tertiary flavors in the bottle
USA Oregon: Northern Latitude + influence by paficif ocean –> cooler than California
Chile - Casablanca Valley: Sea breezes & fog from the Pacific Ocean –> cooked strawberries, not expensive but good value
South Africa - Walker bay: coolest coastal region –> vibrant red fruit
Australia - Yarra Valley & Mornington Peninsula: Cooling breezes from southern Ocean
–> light & fragrant to riper wines
New Zealand - Marlborough & Martinborough: cool/moderate climate
- Central Otago: ripe & powerfull, protected by ring of mountains –> intens sunny days, cool nights. Pronounced fruit flavors + medium body/tannins & oak matured + bottle aged
The premier black grape in New Zealand
Pinot Noir Burgundy PDO
Cooler in the North, Moderate in the south
Tiny changes in the vineyard: south&southeast facing slopes provides extra sunlight –> concentrated & complex wines for bottle aging
Côte d’or - 2 regions
Côte de Nuits - North
- Gevrey Chambertin AOC
- Nuits-Saint Georges AOC
Côte de Beaune - South
- Beaune AOC
- Pommard AOC
Classifications
Bourgogne AOC: light to medium body, low tannins, high acidity, fresh red fruits, drink young
Villages wines: better situated slopes, drained soils –> flavor intensity, complex, length
Premier Cru & Grand Cru: Most complex & intense wines. Slope facing south/southeast –> extra sunlight + warmth, concentrated fruit flavors + subtile oak aromas, tertiary forest mushroom flavors
Best potential for aging
