What Type of Wine Is Pinot Noir?

Pinot noir is a red grape that is used to produce red wines. The name is taken from two French words, “black” and “pine” which refers to the clusters that are formed by the grapes as they grow on their vines. The grapes are naturally black.

As a light red wine, Pinot Noir was first cultivated by the Gauls before the Roman Empire. By 150 BC, vineyards were already widespread in France. The Pinot Noir grape is the main ingredient used in Burgundy. It is also used for Red Sancerre. The color of Pinot Noir covers a wide spectrum of shades –from purple red to cherry red, and even shades of brown during its aging process.

Flavors of the wine are just as varied. You can explore flavors such as vanilla from the oak, earth, jam, leather, fruit jams like strawberry, raspberry, and plum.

Pinot Noir wines go well together with dishes such as pasta with a tomato-based sauce, or light beef, fish, lamb, game, or goose dishes. They will complement other dishes with creamy sauces and spicy seasonings. Specific examples of dishes include mushroom soup, grilled salmon, and roast beef.

The Pinot Noir Grape

The Pinot Noir is known as the "Heartbreak Grape." In the world of wines and spirits, it is a well known fact that the vines of Pinot Noir grapes are very difficult to grow.

Among all the types of grapes used to produce wine, the Pinot Noir variety is the most vulnerable to mold, frost, and disease. Their susceptibility to such harmful factors is due to the grape’s very thin skin.

Pinot Noir vines are just as fickle as the grapes, making the grapes much more difficult to cultivate. The Pinot Noir vines are very thin and prone to mildew and viruses.

Even its process of fermentation is difficult. Due to its 18 amino acid content, Pinot Noir ferments quite violently –it can even uncontrollably boil out of its container. Color retention is also a challenge due to its thin skin. Therefore, one answer to what type of wine is Pinot Noir is that it is a diffiult wine to make.

Where Is Pinot Noir From?

Pinot Noir wine can be manufactured at almost any location in the world but is considerably more popular in places with cooler climates such as the north of France. Though cultivating it may be a difficult process, the end results are all worth the effort. Pinot Noir is considered to be one of the best wines in the world.

Burgundy, France is the most popular region where Pinot Noir grapes are produced. Since the grape requires cool temperatures, pinot grapes are rarely seen in the wine industry of California.

There have been many attempts to change this trend by various wineries who produced Pinot Noir in California, particularly in Sonoma County. However, Burgundy will always be the home of the Pinot Noir. It was only in the 1990s that the Pinot Noir grape began to be cultivated in huge quantities in Australia, Oregon, California, and New Zealand.

Pinoit Noir Taste

Pinot Noir grapes are relatively smaller than the grapes typically used for Cabernet Sauvignon. When making wine, the smaller the grape, the greater the intensity of the flavor. Floral flavors are usually associated with the Pinot Noir especially from Burgundy. Its flavor increases as the wine matures. However the Pinot Noir does not have the same longevity in the bottle as would the darker red wine varieties since they tend to reach their peak at 5-8 years past the vintage.

There are many other flavors aside from the standard florals which are associated with the Pinot Noir. Some say that Black Cherry is the dominant flavor, with notes of spice, vanilla, black licorice, plum, and raspberry.  A good bottle of Pinot Noir should carry a balance between acid flavors and tannins, with a black cherry aftertaste.

The Pinot Noir, undoubtedly is a popular choice for those who have discriminating palates and those who enjoy rich wine flavors and tastes. For those who love crisp wines, they should try other varieties. Some may even mix the Pinot Noir with wines that have tart flavors.