Pinot Noir

Description

Pinot noir (French pronunciation: [pi.no nwaʁ]) is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes. The name is derived from the French words for "pine" and "black" alluding to the grape variety's tightly clustered dark purple pine cone-shaped bunches of fruit.

Pinot noir grapes are grown around the world, mostly in the cooler regions, but the grape is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France. It is widely considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world, but is a difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine.

Notes

Grape Colour: Black
Also called: Blauburgunder, Spätburgunder, Rulandské modré
Major regions: Burgundy, Champagne, California (Russian River Valley), Marlborough, Central Otago, Oregon, Casablanca Valley, Romania, Tasmania
Notable wines: Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges
Ideal soil: Chalky clay

Wine characteristics

General: Light tannins
Cool climate: Cabbage, wet leaves
Medium climate: Strawberry, raspberry, cherry, mushroom, meaty