Amazing Pinot Noir Red Wine Facts
Pinot Noir red wine is one of the most popular reds and is the10th most planted grape variety in the world. It is also one of the most costly wines around the world. In fact, a bottle of Pinot Noir costs double or more than a similar quality red wine. And the wine is not even rich and noble as other reds, nor strong in colour and flavours. The grape is extremely weak, fragile and can suffer from various diseases. So what is it that makes Pinot Noir red wine so special?
Pinot Noir Wine Profile
- Fruit – Cranberry, Raspberry, Cherry
- Other – Vanilla, mushroom, tobacco, wet leaves, caramel
- Oak – French oak barrels
- Tannin – Medium to low
- Acidity – Medium High
- Ageabillity – 2-18 years depending on the style
- Serving Temperature – 17 °C
- Common Synonyms & Regional Names – Pinot Nero (Italy), Bourguignon (France), Pignola (Italy), Spätburgunder (Germany), Blauburgunder (Germany), Côte Challonaise, Bourgogne, C, Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Flagney-Echezeaux, Vougeot, Nuits-St-Georges, Aloxe-Corton.
Pinot Noir Food Pairing
Pinot Noir red wine can be pairing with almost any food. It can be both light and complex, meaning it pairs well with salmon or other rich meats. You can also combine it with mushroom risotto, goat cheese, pizza, lobster ravioli, chicken, etc.
Pinot Noir Taste
Pinot Noir can have a range of different flavours depending on the growing region and the vintage.
- France – In the French wine region Burgundy, Pinot Noir red wine is light with earthy aromas like brown paper and wet leaves. It also has floral aromas of roses, violet and fruity freshly picked cherries.
- Germany – Called Ahr, Pinot Noir red wine produced in Germany, features raspberry and sweet cherry aromas. Germany is the 3rd largest producer of Pinot Noir (right after France and the United States) and here the wine is known by the name Spätburgunder.
- Italy – The Italian Pinot Noir fruit flavours are similar to the French one, but the earthy aromas are more like smoke, white pepper and tobacco. The Italian Pinot Nero (as they call it) has more colour extraction and higher alcohol level.
- California – The California Pinot Noir red wine is bigger and fruitier. Its flavour ranges from black raspberry to sweet black cherry, vanilla and caramel.
- Oregon – The Oregon Pinot Noir is lighter than all the above and it has cherry and cranberry flavours with mushroom aromas.
- Australia – Pinot Noir does not grow well in Australia except for some regions in Western Australia. It has sweet fruit notes of blueberry and blackberry and spice-gamey aroma.
