HOME

Red variety of French origin found across Europe (Germany, northern Italy...), America (California, Chile...) and Australia. Burgundy and Champagne are the Pinot Noir regions par excellence.

Recently there have been some examples of wines made with this grape in Spain. It is a variety that buds and ripens early, suitable for cooler northern climates. Although it is a red grape, it is also the basis for white champagne.

Pinot Noir is thought to have been grown in France for over 2,000 years, perhaps even prior to the Roman invasion of this area. The Pinot vine is described as "genetically unstable," meaning that it mutates very easily, which makes consistency from this vine extremely difficult. There are estimates of over 1,000 different types or clones belonging to the Pinot family. Some, such as PINOT BLANC, PINOT GRIS, and PINOT MEUNIER, have become well-known varieties on their own

When young, good wines exhibit the simpler fruity characteristics of cherries, plums, raspberries, and strawberries. As these wines mature, they display a variety of COMPLEX characteristics including chocolate, game, figs, prunes, SMOKINESS, truffles, and violets. France is the largest cultivator of the Pinot Noir grape, but few areas outside of Burgundy make really great Pinot Noir wines.

In the Champagne region Pinot Noir is one of the three grape varieties (along with Chardonnay and Meunier) allowed in the region's sparkling wine.