Pinot Noir

[PEE-no nwar]

Characteristics

This popular red grape originated in Burgundy but has spread across the New World. Like its white Burgundian counterpart Chardonnay, Pinot Noir is early-budding, early-ripening and thin-skinned. The sites where it tends to thrive can experience tough growing conditions, which lead to more rigorous fruit selection and lower yields. This is one of the reasons that high-quality Pinot Noir often carries a higher price tag than other wines.

The variety enjoys cool climates and grows best in calcareous soils, marl and loam. Pinot Noir is known for its bright red fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry, as well as floral notes. Its structure is friendly to many wine lovers: light in body, low in tannins, with good acidity. Pronounced earthiness can be found in Old World versions, like those of red Burgundy, whereas riper fruit-forward flavors are typical of New World styles, which are found in cool pockets of California and Oregon. The wines are juicy and approachable in their youth, but the best versions can develop elegant complexity as they age.

Where it's grown

A map of the world with France, Oregon, California, Australia, Germany, Italy and South Africa highlighted

France: Burgundy, Alsace, Loire Valley’s Sancerre; California: Sonoma, Santa Barbara, Mendocino; Australia: Yarra Valley, Tasmania; New Zealand: Central Otago; Italy: Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Trentino Alto-Adige (Map by Henry Eng)