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What Type of Wine is Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir is one of the most popular red wine varietals, despite its problems. If it were a person, it would be a diva that was difficult to please. This grape variety is one of the most difficult to grow, even though it has been cultivated since the days of the Romans. Pinot Noir has many names across the world; you can find it as Blauburgunder, Spatburgunder, Burgundac, Pinot Nero, and Clevner.
Pinot Noir first came to the attention of the worldwide stage due to the wines made from it in the Burgundy region of France. This tiny portion of France, only thirty miles long and two miles wide, is the only region in the world to get consistent success with this grape.
The vine is difficult to propagate because it is genetically unstable. The fruit may not resemble the grapes produced by the parent vine. Because there are up to 1000 different clones to the Pinot Noir grape, you never know what you will get. The vine is also susceptible to almost every problem grapes can suffer from, including frost damage, bug infestations, and disease.
Once you reach harvest time, you must pick them quickly before they begin to shrivel. Once picked, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to ferment properly. This varietal is prone to violent fermentations, where the wine-to-be bubbles up and out of its container. It is also difficult to retain the right color. It can also lose its flavor and aroma as soon as it is bottled if the vintner is not cautious.
Even with all these issues, Pinot Noir can still make an exquisite bottle of wine. Pinot Noir has a much higher concentration of resveratrol than other grapes, especially when it is grown in a humid, cool climate.
The flavor, however, is what really makes Pinot Noir famous. Difficult to qualify, Pinot Noir can be really great or really bad. A great vintage makes a lasting impression. The aroma of Pinot Noir is possibly the most complex of all grape varietals. It has an intense scent of black cherry or ripe grape, with a spicy undertone that suggests sassafras, mint or cinnamon. You can also detect hints of mushroom, ripe tomato, violets, or barnyard.
The wine is full bodied and rich without being heavy. It is neither tannic nor acidic, but it gives you substantial flavor in spite of its delicacy. The texture is soft and velvety. It should feel like liquid silk, flowing over your palate. The overall effect should be harmonious, possibly even sublime. It should be the perfect balance of fruit, body, acidity, tannin, and alcohol.
Pinot Noir reaches its peak between 5 and 8 years after its vintage. It does not have the longevity of some of the other red wine varietals. Newer stock will produce light, fruity wines. The right color of the wine should be garnet. Pinot Noir is also used to make rose wines. A white version is Pinot Gris. It is also sometimes used to make sparkling wines.
