Pinot Noir is a noble red varietal and one of the most famous wine grapes worldwide. Both inexperienced wine tasters and seasoned wine lovers find the wines made with Pinot Noir alluring.
Pinot Noir is the true “king of the north,” as it dominates the world’s northernmost vineyards and, although insanely popular, there’s never enough Pinot Noir to go around. The grape is hard to grow! Here’s all you need to know about Pinot Noir, a noble varietal that will surely bring endless pleasure to your life. This is our quick guide to Pinot Noir.
The History of Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is an incredibly old variety of the Vitis vinifera family of vines. We know the grape already grew wild on Burgundy’s slopes since the 1st century, but we know little about its true origin.
Pinot Noir most probably mutated from a wild vine. The grape is known for being prone to mutation. Despite its origin, Pinot Noir was adopted and domesticated in Burgundy (and as far north as Belgium) during the Middle Ages. Christian monks discovered the grape and began turning it into spectacular wine. Pinot is one of the few grapes that thrive in cold regions.
The red Burgundian grape became dominant in 1395, when Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, decreed that all other vines were to be replaced by the more exciting Pinot. Pinot Noir and Burgundy became synonyms. Burgundy’s Pinot became a benchmark for fine wine, and wine lovers worldwide fell in love with it.
Pinot Noir survived the dreadful phylloxera pest that obliterated the world’s vineyards in the late 1800s and persisted through the 20th century’s world wars. Eventually, immigrants took Pinot vines to other wine regions in Europe and the New World. The grape became the most reliable source of fine wine in cold climate regions, from Northern California to Australia.
Where Does Pinot Noir Grow?
Burgundy is Pinot Noir’s ancestral home, where it is the source of everyday wines labeled as Bourgogne and the prestigious Premier and Grand Crus (some of the most sought-after wines in the world.) Still, Pinot is also the most important red grape in other French regions, including Champagne, Alsace and the Central Loire Valley.
Pinot Noir has also found a home in Germany and Northern Italy. Still, some of the most exciting sources of Pinot are not European. After France, the United States has the most hectares planted with Pinot (where it is the third most planted grape after Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.) The grape feels comfortable in California and Oregon, mainly in areas too cold for growing Cabernet.
Grape growers have also found suitable terroirs to grow Pinot Noir in Coastal Chile, Southern Argentina, the southernmost vineyards in South Africa, and Victoria, Australia. Pinot Noir is also New Zealand’s flagship red varietal!
Interestingly, although Pinot has fans worldwide, it is not one of the most planted varietals, not even in France. Unlike other fashionable grapes, like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Pinot Noir doesn’t grow anywhere — the conditions must be exactly right, but that’s what makes the Burgundian grape special.
Pinot Noir Flavour Profile
Pinot Noir produces red wines. The grapes have a thin skin, so the wine made with them is rarely opaque. Instead, expect pale wines with a ruby red or crimson colour, often with violet hues. On the nose, Pinot Noir is all about fruit and earth: red and black cherries mingling with earthy undertones redolent of damp earth, truffles, mushrooms and forest floor.
Most wines made with Pinot Noir spend time in oak barrels. The wood infuses the wine with brown spices, smoke and vanilla, making Pinot Noir uncommonly complex on the nose.
On the palate, Pinot is known for silken-smooth tannins and a lengthy aftertaste, all held together by a tight acidic backbone that makes the wine refreshing and food compatible.
Food Pairings with Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir has impressive versatility at the table, thanks to its soft tannins and elevated acidity. Pinot is an excellent match for white meat, including pork and roasted poultry; it also goes well with oily fish, including salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines.
Pinot Noir doesn’t have the tannins to complement fatty food or thick steaks, but it is compatible with exotic dishes, from Asian-inspired stir-fried to sticky ribs. Needless to say, European Pinot Noir is often tart, while New World examples are more fruit-forward and bolder. Both Pinot styles are equally enjoyable.
Pinot Noir Alternatives
Pinot Noir is a rare grape indeed. Few varietals can compete with the wine’s smooth palate and sharpness. Still, look hard enough, and you’ll find similar traits in a few lesser-known varietals.
If you need an alternative to Pinot Noir, look for the grape’s stablemate Gamay, the source of the juicy Beaujolais. The Austrian Saint-Laurent and the Spanish Mencía are also thin-skinned and can offer an experience similar to what you get from authentic Pinot. Even young Italian Nebbiolo shares traits with Pinot, although the wines are often much more tannic. Pinot, like the best things in life, is hard to replace!
Pinot Noir FAQ
Where Does Pinot Noir come from?
No one knows the precise origin of the grape, but it has grown in Burgundy for at least a few thousand years. Pinot is one of the most ancient red varietals.
What Does Pinot Noir Taste Like?
The thin-skinned red grape produces dry red wines with a pale colour, scents redolent of cherries and blackberries, along with aromas reminiscent of turned soil, mushrooms, truffles and brown spices. On the palate, Pinot Noir is tart and has a soft texture.
Why is Pinot Noir Popular?
Pinot Noir is considered a noble grape, not only because it is the only red variety allowed in prestigious Burgundy and Champagne, but because the grape resists cold weather like no other.
Pinot Noir; A Noble Varietal
There’s no doubt Pinot Noir is a noble varietal. It’s amongst the oldest French grapes, and the source of some of the most expensive and sought-after wines.
Yes, Pinot Noir might be picky, and no, it’s not easy to grow, but when done right, wines made with Pinot Noir are the most decadent reds on the planet. The best part? Not all Pinot Noir is expensive. There are plenty of affordable mid-tier wines made with the grape in a dozen countries, and they rarely disappoint. Add Pinot to your wine rotation and enjoy the silkiest wine on earth.
