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| Pinot Noir Grapes |
Pinot Noir [PEE-noh NWAHR]
Pinot Noir has probably been grown in France for over 2,000 years. It
is the red grape of Burgundy and is responsible for some of the
greatest wines in the world. While It can be expensive, there are many
affordable versions as well. Pinot Noir is also considered to be one of
the most difficult grapes to grow. It requires a long, cool growing
season and can be frustrating for the winemaker who seeks
consistency and for the consumer, because the gap between high and
low quality is greater than with other wines. For Pinot Noir lovers,
however, the quest for a good one has it's own rewards.
Sometimes a light bodied wine with simple fruit characteristics, but
generally a medium bodied red wine that is dry and more complex.
Young, lighter versions may display red fruit such as strawberry,
cherry, raspberry and plum. With more body and tannin, these
characters become richer and more complex, exhibiting prune, fig,
smokiness, game, leather, chocolate, blackcurrant, violet, tobacco,
truffle and black pepper. The mouthfeel is often described as silky or
velvety.
While all red Burgundies are Pinot Noir, this grape is also one of the
primary blending grapes of Champagne (along with Chardonnay and
Pinot Meunier) and is used to make red Sancerre as well as Alsatian
reds. It is also grown in Italy where it is called Pinot Nero. Cooler
regions in California grow some excellent versions, but it is Oregon
who has come to the forefront in American production. Australia and
New Zealand winemaker's are also taking up the challenge this grape
presents and some very good versions are being produced in their
cooler viticultural regions. Additionally, there are some excellent Rosé
versions of this wine from both the old and new world.
Ranging in color from cherry red to medium plum red, it takes on
brown or brick colored hues as it ages.
Pinot Noir wines are almost always oaked, often using French barrels.
But this should never be predominate over the primary fruit characters
which give this wine its desireability and personality.
Pinot Noir has probably been grown in France for over 2,000 years. It
is the red grape of Burgundy and is responsible for some of the
greatest wines in the world. While It can be expensive, there are many
affordable versions as well. Pinot Noir is also considered to be one of
the most difficult grapes to grow. It requires a long, cool growing
season and can be frustrating for the winemaker who seeks
consistency and for the consumer, because the gap between high and
low quality is greater than with other wines. For Pinot Noir lovers,
however, the quest for a good one has it's own rewards.
Sometimes a light bodied wine with simple fruit characteristics, but
generally a medium bodied red wine that is dry and more complex.
Young, lighter versions may display red fruit such as strawberry,
cherry, raspberry and plum. With more body and tannin, these
characters become richer and more complex, exhibiting prune, fig,
smokiness, game, leather, chocolate, blackcurrant, violet, tobacco,
truffle and black pepper. The mouthfeel is often described as silky or
velvety.
While all red Burgundies are Pinot Noir, this grape is also one of the
primary blending grapes of Champagne (along with Chardonnay and
Pinot Meunier) and is used to make red Sancerre as well as Alsatian
reds. It is also grown in Italy where it is called Pinot Nero. Cooler
regions in California grow some excellent versions, but it is Oregon
who has come to the forefront in American production. Australia and
New Zealand winemaker's are also taking up the challenge this grape
presents and some very good versions are being produced in their
cooler viticultural regions. Additionally, there are some excellent Rosé
versions of this wine from both the old and new world.
Ranging in color from cherry red to medium plum red, it takes on
brown or brick colored hues as it ages.
Pinot Noir wines are almost always oaked, often using French barrels.
But this should never be predominate over the primary fruit characters
which give this wine its desireability and personality.
Burgundy, France (the benchmark for all Pinot Noir wines)
Medium-bodied wines with many age-worthy versions ranging in price
from affordable to very expensive. Three main areas in the region from
North to South are: Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune (both part of the Côte
d'Or) and the Côte Chalonnaise. They are all labeled by village name.
Beyond that, there are two higher classifications: Premier Cru, labeled
"1er cru" and Grand Cru which is the highest.
Some of the best villages are (north to south): Fixin, Gevery-Chambertin,
Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits St. George, Aloxe-Corton, Beaune,
Pommard, Puligny-Montrachet, Rully and Mercurey.
Sancerre, France
Light to medium bodied wine that is generally more affordable than its
Burgundian neighbor.
California, U.S.A.
Light to medium body with the best examples coming from Carneros, the
Russian River Valley, Sonoma (Coast), Monterey, San Luis Obispo and
Santa Barbara counties.
Oregon, U.S.A.
Medium to medium-full bodied wines with strong tannin structure in some
examples. The most notable being those from the Willamette Valley
which is located just North of Portland and reaching almost to Eugene. It
is situated between the coastal range and the Cascade Mountains and is
Oregon's main wine-producing region.
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Below are some labels from my collection.
Burgundy, France
2002 Aloxe-Corton
2002 Aloxe-Corton
Two wines from Burgundy, France:
2002 Mercurey Premier Cru (1er Cru)
2001 Mercurey
2002 Mercurey Premier Cru (1er Cru)
2001 Mercurey
Burgundy, France
2001 Nuits-St-Georges, Premier Cru
2001 Nuits-St-Georges, Premier Cru
California, U.S.A.
2004 La Crema, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
2004 La Crema, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Oregon, U.S.A.
2004 Cristom, Willamette Valley, Mt. Jefferson Cuvée
2004 Cristom, Willamette Valley, Mt. Jefferson Cuvée
- 91 points by Wine Spectator Magazine
- Cuvée means the wine is from a specific "batch".
In this case it is a blend of Pinot Noir from many
individula lots.