Time to talk - Pinot Noir
Grape varieties, do you know your white from your red? Do you know Cabernet Sauvignon from Chardonnay? Do you know the difference between wine grapes and table grapes?
There are about 10,000 different wine grape varieties
But only a few dozen are widely used in commercial wine making. Most winemakers use blends of several grape varieties to make a unique flavour profile.
Over a few blog posts I will focus on particular varieties. So lets take a deep dive into the red grape variety Pinot Noir.
I refer to this variety as the teenager of grapes, it does what it wants where it wants. It has mutated into additional grape varieties such as Pinot Grigio and Pinot Blanc. Its delicate nature poses both a challenge and an allure for winemakers worldwide.
Pinot Noir's Affection for Cool Climates:
Pinot Noir thrives in cooler climates, where it can fully express its nuanced character. The iconic vineyards of Burgundy, France, showcase the grape's ability to convey the essence of the terroir. The cool breezes of regions like Oregon and New Zealand also provide ideal conditions, resulting in wines with bright acidity, red fruit vibrancy, and an unmistakable silkiness.
Terroir's Impact: The Burgundian Influence:
Burgundy's limestone-rich soils impart a unique minerality to Pinot Noir, complementing its red berry flavors and floral aromas. This region remains the benchmark for lovers of Pinot Noir seeking wines with subtlety and complexity. Pinot Noir's sensitivity to terroir ensures that each vineyard tells a distinctive story through its grapes.
Leaves and Vines:
All wine grapes have different leaf shapes and this is the first way of identifying the variety. If a grape has thick skins the leaves will have more gaps in them to allow sunlight to get through.
Identifying Pinot Noir in the vineyard involves recognizing its distinctive leaves and growth habits. Pinot Noir is a thinned skinned grape so the leaves are medium-sized, with a circular shape and serrated edges, protecting the grapes from too much sun. Pinot Noir vines often exhibit a more sprawling growth pattern compared to other varieties, reflecting the grape's delicate nature and susceptibility to weather conditions.
Pinot Leaves and Grapes
Where the grape variety is planted changes the end result.
Burgundy, France: Red cherry, raspberry, earthy notes, and a velvety texture.
Willamette Valley, Oregon: Bright acidity, red currant, and a hint of forest floor.
Central Otago, New Zealand: Darker fruit profile, vibrant acidity, and a touch of spiciness.
So if you like a style why not ask what other grape varieties produce similar styles and try something new, and if you haven't liked a particular variety, don't write it off - try it from a different part of the world
When you are next out for dinner ask them to recommend a wine, tell them what you usually drink and why you like it.
