Pinot Noir

History and Origin

Pinot Noir comes from the species Vitis vinifera and the origins are fairly uncertain due to how long it has been around. Pinot Noir is one of the oldest wines around and has been grown for over 2,000 years. By 150 B.C. France had vineyards of Pinot Noir. The name Pinot Noir comes from the French words which mean 'pine' and 'black' respectively. This may be an indication of the way the grapes grow in a clustered pinecone shape. It is a very delicate species to cultivate into wine yet despite this is a fairly popular wine, perhaps due on some level to the extensive history.

Growing Conditions

This varietal is like the boy in the bubble of wines. Virtually every sensitivity a varietal can have, this one does. On the vine it is sensitive to light exposure, soil type, and pruning technique. In the winery it is sensitive to yeast strains and fermentation technique. The thin skin of the grapes leave it sensitive to fungal disease such as bunch rot while the vines are sensitive to downy mildew, leaf roll, and fanleaf.

Synonyms

Pinot Noir is generally known by that very name. Here are some synonyms, though these are other language versions; pinot nero, blauburgunder, spatburgunder, burgundac, and clevner. It was known as Helvenacia Minor by the Romans.

Color

Cherry red to purple. It is often termed garnet when it is young. As it ages it might even show tints of brown. California's style, though, has been to grow Pinot that is darker in color.

Smell

Black cherry, raspberry, currant, ripe tomato, rose petal, violet, sassafras, cinnamon, peppermint, beet, oregano, green tea, and black olive are some smells you might find in Pinot Noir.

Taste

Earth, leather, vanilla (which comes from the oak aging), jam, mushroom, toast, and cedar are some of the flavors you might expect to find in the bouquet.

Good With The Following Foods

Pinots can be fairly different depending on the region in which they were cultivated due to their extreme sensitivity in the area of terroir. However, by and large Pinots are not very bold wines, so they will go well with pasta, red sauce, and lighter beef dishes. Grilled salmon, shark, and swordfish are meaty fishes that go well with this wine as well as plain roast beef, roasted lamb, duck.