Pinot Noir

Question 1

Palate

Answer 1

1. Thin skin
2. High acidity
3. Low to medium tannin
4. Red fruit: Strawberry, raspberry, red cherry

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

Cool to Moderate

Question 3

Wine making options

Answer 3

1. Typically single varietal
2. Careful use of oak
3. Used to make sparkling wines

Question 4

Ageing of Very Good/Outstanding examples

Answer 4

Mushroom and forest floor

Question 5

Broadest regional appellation in Burgundy

Answer 5

Bourgogne AOC

Question 6

What factors make Pinot Noir difficult to cultivate?

Answer 6

1. If growing conditions are too warm, the grapes lose their fresh fruit flavors and taste unattractively cooked
2. Prone to rot & disease
3. In poor vintages, it can be a struggle to produce even small amounts of good quality Pinot Noir

Question 7

Pinot Noirs from which region are more likely to show notable oak flavors?

Answer 7

California

Question 8

Why are small, new oak barrels rarely used for maturing Pinot Noir?

Answer 8

Strong flavors from small new oak barrels can easily overwhelm a delicately flavored Pinot Noir.

Question 9

What prevents Pinot Noir from developing overly cooked fruit flavors in high-quality coastal regions of California?

Answer 9

Moderating influences:

1. Morning fogs
2. Ocean breezes

Question 10

True or False? Pinot Noir is commonly blended with other red varieties.

Answer 10

False

Question 11

Where is Pinot Noir best suited for planting in Burgundy?

Answer 11

1. The moderate areas further south in Burgundy where it is capable of fully ripening.
2. South and south-east facing slopes that benefit from extra sunlight and are capable of producing concntrated and complex wines suitable for bottle ageing.

Question 12

What is the largest difference between regional appellations like Bourgogne AOC wines & village appellations in Burgundy?

Answer 12

Village appellations have the flavor intensity to age in the bottle, whereas the Regional appellations are meant to be drunk while young and fresh.

Question 13

Which New Zealand region produces the ripest, most powerful Pinot Noirs?

Answer 13

Central Otago

Question 14

Cooked strawberries is a common flavor characteristic of Pinot Noir from which region?

Answer 14

Chile: Casablanca Valley

Question 15

Labeling in Burgundy: The Hierarchy (4)

Answer 15

1. Grand Cru - highest quality, rarest & most age worthy
2. Premier Cru - high quality vineyard within individual village appellation
3. Village Appellations - more flavor concentration and complexity than broader regional appellations. Can age in bottle.
4. Regional Appellations: bottom of hierarchy, covers whole of Burgundy - Bourgogne AOC

Question 16

Important Regions

Answer 16

1. France - Burgundy - Cote d’Or- Cote de Nuits (North)- Cote de Beaune (South)
2. USA - Northern California - Carneros, Sonoma; Santa Barbara County in central CA
3. Oregon
4. Chile - Casablanca Valley
5. South Africa - Walker Bay
6. Australia - Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula
7. New Zealand - CENTRAL OTAGO, Marlborough, Martinborough