Pinot Noir Vineyard

Question 1

Pinot Noir Bud/Ripen Key

Answer 1

11

Question 2

Pinot Noir Budding

Answer 2

Early budding (prone to spring frost and best on slopes in continental climates to mitigate frost risk)
Spring frost can reduce yields

Question 3

Pinot Noir Ripening

Answer 3

Early ripening (can avoid autumn rains leading to higher quality with less damaged fruit and avoid dillution)

Suitable for cooler climates (grapes have time to fully ripen slowly, increasing concentration)

If climate is too cool - may struggle to fully ripen skins for tannin/color/flavor

Tends to ripen too fast in warmer climates (can reduce concentration)

Question 4

Pinot Noir Fertility/Yields

Answer 4

Yields need to be limited to produce quality with concentration and flavor

Often higher planting densities (root competition for better fruit intensity)

De-budding and green harvesting can control yields

Question 5

Pinot Noir Best Soils

Answer 5

Limestone and Clay (good balance between drainage and water retention leads to higher quality fruit)

Calcareous clay

Question 6

Pinot Noir Vigor/Canopy Management

Answer 6

Thin skins lead to sunburn so canopy needs to shade fruit in warmer conditions (sunburn leads to bitter flavors and jammier fruit style)

Fungal disease is a concern so canopy management must reduce humidity and increase airflow

Question 7

Pinot Noir Aromas and Flavor Compounds

Answer 7

Primary red fruit
Secondary Oak Derived clove/smoke
Tertiary earth/game/mushroom

Question 8

Pinot Noir Skins

Answer 8

Thins skins (pale color)

Question 9

Pinot Noir Hazards

Answer 9

Millerandage
Downy/Powdery Mildew
Botrytis
Leafroll/Fanleaf Virus
Shriveled berries from sunburn

delicate and difficult to grow. Careful canopy management and spraying adds to cost

Question 10

Pinot Noir Vine Peculiarities

Answer 10

Many clones available (smaller berries, deeper color, disease tolerance) leading to various styles and quality levels

Produces lots of small bunches