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Pinot Noir is one of the oldest vine grape varieties known
and was named by the noble Pinot family after the pinecone
shape of the grape bunches. Pinot's been cultivated
in Burgundy since the 1st century AD. One legend has it
arriving in Burgundy via the Aedui from their invasions
of Lombardy and Italy. Another legend has it arriving via
the Romans while other tales refer to the Romans finding
Pinot already established in the region. With the Barbarian
invaders driving the Romans from the region, the
Catholic church inadvertently became custodian of the
fine Pinots. The monks used Pinot Noir in their sacraments
and hence gained approval for the wine. They improved
the varietal through careful vineyard practices and
by the 6th century, most of Burgundy was divided into
church owned vineyards. The first documented mention
of Pinot Noir in Burgundy doesn't occur till 1345. French
monks brought the grape to the Rheingau region where
it's been cultivated since 1470. Church owned vineyards
were seized and distributed to families in Burgundy during
the French revolution around 1789 resulting in an independently
owned and run vineyard model that still survives
today.
Burgundy is home to Pinot Noir. Within the Burgundy
region, a 30-mile long by 2-mile wide stretch of land
known as the Côte d'Or (Slope of Gold) consistently produces
some of Europe's finest Pinots. This strip has ideal
chalky, well-drained soil, good sunlight exposure with
above average temperatures and gentle slopes. All characteristics
you'll also find in Australia's top Pinot Noir
growing regions. Wonderful Pinot Noirs come from all
over the world. It's grown in many countries and is
known by different names in different countries. Some
locations and names include:Algeria, Argentina, Australia,
Austria (called Blauburgunder or Spätburgunder),
Brazil, Canada, Czechoslovakia, England, France, Germany
(Spätburgunder), Greece, Hungary, Italy (Pinot
Nero or Blauburgunder), Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland
(Clevner, labeled "Dole" when blended with Gamay
Noir), the United States, and Yugoslavia (Burgundac).
Pinot is a difficult grape to work with. It's hard to get a
consistent, great Pinot and the problem starts with the
plant. Pinot Noir is genetically unstable. A parent plant
can produce a plant with wildly different berry size and
shape and even flavour. Cabernet Sauvignon has 12 genetically
individual clones but Pinot Noir has up to 1,000
possible clones.
Pinot Noir seems to pick up every known vine disease,
mould, fungus and/or pest. It's an early ripening variety
so spring frosts are devastating. Pinot Noir at The
Gurdies has budburst at the end of September, veraison
(when the grape changes from green to purple) end of
January to early February and we harvest anywhere
from the end of March in a hot season till the end of
April in a cold season. When picked too late the thinskinned
berries will shrivel up and lose all flavour. Extracting
all the colour is another challenge. When fully
ripe, the Pinot Noir berry is a very light purple colour
and requires careful handling to make the most of the
light colour.
Pinot Noir goes through a range of changes as it matures.
A young wine will show simple fruity characteristics
including: cherry, plum, raspberry and strawberry.
The complex flavours emerge as it ages revealing
chocolate, earthiness, smoke and truffles.
Only Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier grapes are
permitted in sparkling wines from the Champagne region.
Around the world other varieties are used to produce
sparkling wines but Pinot Noir is a key variety
anywhere in the world.
Pinot Noir has many close relatives in the grape world.
The best known include:
Pinot Bianco or Pinot Blanc. Pinot Blanc in Australia
is really Chardonnay while in the United States some
Pinot Blanc has been identified as Melon de Bourgogne.
The French Alsace region is the best known
home for Pinot Blanc. The wines produced are light
and yeasty with an apple nose. Some names Pinot
Blanc/Bianco hides behind in other parts of the world
include: Beli Pinot, Clevner, Weissburgunder, Weisserburgunder,
and Weisser Klevner.
Pinot Chardonnay is often used to describe a Chardonnay.
Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio or Pinot Beurot all refer to
the same grape. The name comes from Gris, being
French for gray from the grayish colour of the grape.
The wines range from light, crisp and dry to full and
sweet. Other names for this grape around the world include:
Auxerrois Gris, Pinot Buot, Rülander, and
Szükerbarát.
Pinot de Romans or Pinot de l'Ermitage is another
name for Durif and it isn't a member of the Pinot family
Pinot Meunier is really Meunier and is not a member
of the Pinot family
Pinot Nero is just another name for Pinot Noir
Pinotage is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut from
South Africa. First bred in 1925, it is now widely
grown in South Africa as well as the United States and
New Zealand.
* Reproduced with permission from Peter Svans
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