Pinot Noir Review

Question 1

Pinot Noir is _____ to ______ in color.

Answer 1

Pale, Medium

Question 2

Is Pinot Noir thin or thick skinned?

Answer 2

Thin

Question 3

What are the tannin levels of a typical Pinot Noir?

Answer 3

Low to medium tannins

Question 4

What are some primary flavor characteristics of a typical Pinot Noir?

Answer 4

Red Fruit: strawberry, raspberry, red cherry

Question 5

What climate does Pinot Noir typically grow in?

Answer 5

Cool 62° F and below** (16.5°C)
**Moderate 62°F - 65°F (16.5°C to 18.5°C)

Question 6

Pinot Noir is most commonly produced as a single varietal or blended wine?

Answer 6

single varietal

Question 7

Does Pinot Noir use oak? If you answered, yes, why? What kind?

Answer 7

Pinot noir is often matured in oak. Usually these barrels are older/larger to not overtake the delicate flavors of this varietal.

Question 8

Are most Pinot Noirs means to be enjoyed when young or do they do better with age?

Answer 8

Most meant for young consumption

Question 9

What are some outstanding examples of tertiary flavors Pinot Noir can develop?

Answer 9

mushroom**
**forest floor

Question 10

What are some subtle oak aromas Pinot Noirs can develop?

Answer 10

smoke**
**clove
*vanilla

Question 11

What region is considered the “home of Pinot Noir?”

Answer 11

Burgundy

Question 12

What region is Burgundy is known for their outstanding Pinot Noirs?

Answer 12

Côte de Nuits

Question 13

What is the climate of Burgundy?

Answer 13

Cool in the North and Moderate as you head South

Question 14

What are some characteristics of Bourgogne AOC Pinot Noirs?

Answer 14

light to medium body**
**low tannins
high acid**
**fresh red-fruit flavors

Question 15

Which direction do the best slopes in Burgundy face?

Answer 15

South and South East facing are best

Question 16

What are the names of the the Northern and Southern halves of Côtes d’or?

Answer 16

North: Côte de Nuits**
**South: Côte de Beaune

Question 17

What are 2 famous villages in the Côtes de Nuits?

Answer 17

Gevery-Chambertin AOC**
**Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC

Question 18

What are two famous villages in the Côte de Beaune?

Answer 18

Beaune AOC**
**Pommard AOC

Question 19

What are some characteristics of Village wines?

Answer 19

Better placement: on well draining soils, and moreo desirable facing slopes**
** Typically more complex than Bourgogne AOC wines

Question 20

What are the 4 levels of hierarchy for Pinot Noir in Burgundy in descending order? (Highest to lowest quality)

Answer 20

*Grand Cru AOC
*Premier Cru AOC
*Village AOC
*Bourgogne AOC

Question 21

Describe some typical characteristic of grand cru and premier cru AOC

Answer 21

*commonly on slopes facing South or SE
*they receive extra sunlight and warmth due to direction and slope
*Oak aromas of clove, smoke and vanilla
*Tertiary flavors of forest floor and mushroom
*best aging potential

Question 22

Where in California is Pinot Noir Grown?

Answer 22

Los Caneros
Sonoma
Santa Barbara County

Question 23

What are moderating factors for Pinot Noirs grown in Los Caneros?

Answer 23

Cooled by morning fog from San Pablo bay

Question 24

What are moderating factors for Pinot Noir grown in Sonoma?

Answer 24

Western are parts cooled by Pacific Ocean breezes