What is Pinot Noir? Characteristics and recommended wines
Pinot Noir is a hugely popular red wine grape variety. It is characterized by its gorgeous fruity aroma and delicate, high-quality flavor, and is used in many high-end wines around the world.
This time , we will introduce the characteristics of Pinot Noir and recommend some wines all at once! MAVI has a wide variety of Pinot Noir wines, including those produced in different regions and climates, so please use this as a reference when choosing your wine.
- What is Pinot Noir?
- Taste of Pinot Noir
- What makes it different from other grape varieties?
- Recommended Pinot Noir
- Pinot Noir Facts
What is Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir is a variety mainly used for red wine, and is widely cultivated in famous wine -producing regions around the world, including Burgundy . In France, other than Burgundy, Alsace , Jura , and Loire are famous.
Besides France , Pinot Noir is also widely grown in northern Italy (where it is called Pinot Nero) , Germany (where it is called Spätburgunder) , New Zealand , Australia (where it is produced: Tasmania) , the United States (where it is produced: California and Oregon) , Canada , and Japan .
It is mainly used for red wine, but also for rosé wine and sparkling wine, and is especially famous in the Champagne region as one of the representative varieties used in champagne. In this region, it is particularly cultivated in the Cote des Bar region in the south, and the cultivated area is said to be larger than that of Burgundy.
What are the characteristics of Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir is a very delicate grape variety and is very susceptible to the effects of climate, soil, and pests and diseases, making it difficult to cultivate.
It is well suited to temperate climates, but because it germinates early, it can be damaged by early spring frosts in cooler regions. In hotter climates, it ripens too quickly, causing the thin-skinned Pinot Noir fruit to shrink and become sunburned. It is also susceptible to pests and diseases, so various measures are taken to manage the yield.
Although it is difficult to cultivate, the greatest appeal of Pinot Noir is that it is easy to reflect the unique characteristics of each growing region by taking advantage of the terroir (growing environment such as climate and soil) . In particular, the highest quality Pinot Noir produced in Burgundy is highly regarded worldwide as it perfectly expresses the charm of this variety, which expresses the subtle differences of the terroir.
What are the characteristics of Pinot Noir's aroma and flavor?
Wines made with Pinot Noir are characterized by their " red fruit aromas ," " fruity flavor ," and " soft mouthfeel ."
Young Pinot Noir has a bright, clear ruby color and an impressive fresh red fruit aroma. The taste is light and refreshing with firm acidity. The tannins, which are the astringent element, are less pronounced compared to other grape varieties, and are well balanced with the fruitiness.
Aged Pinot Noir has a deep color, with a mixture of garnet and orange. The aroma may also have more complex aging-related notes such as dried fruit, leather, and truffles. The flavor becomes more complex, with a stronger impression of barrel-aged aromas and flavors than fruitiness. The aftertaste also lingers for a long time, giving a sensual and elegant impression.
Differences can easily occur depending on the climate and region, and Pinot Noir from cooler regions has a more delicate and clean acidity and a good balance of fruitiness, making it very silky to drink. On the other hand, Pinot Noir grown in warmer regions is characterized by a riper fruitiness, a higher alcohol content, and a fuller body.
Pinot Noir from Burgundy, the most famous cool region, generally has flavors of red fruits with a striking acidity, such as strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. If we limit ourselves to higher-ranked areas, there are also more wines that are suitable for long-term aging and have flavors that come from the barrel (smoke, clove, etc.).
What is the difference between Pinot Noir and other red grape varieties?
There are many black grape varieties for wine other than Pinot Noir, each with its own characteristics. This time, we will compare the differences between Pinot Noir and three particularly well-known varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah .
We also introduce the differences in aroma and taste, so if you're having trouble choosing your favorite type or wine, be sure to refer to this article.
The Difference Between Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon have thinner skins.
In the red wine making process, where the wine is soaked in the skins, Pinot Noir tends to have a bright color, especially when it is fresh, and the taste is not affected much by the skins, so it has less astringency than Cabernet Sauvignon. It tends to be easy to drink and has a silky mouthfeel.
On the other hand, Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape variety with thick skins. Compared to Pinot Noir, it is darker in color and has stronger tannins, so it is described as having a heavier body.
In terms of aroma, Pinot Noir has a strong impression of red fruits, while Cabernet Sauvignon often has a bluish nuance of green herbs.
The Difference Between Pinot Noir and Merlot
Pinot Noir is difficult to grow and is sensitive to temperature changes.
Although it is a delicate variety, its appeal is that it can produce high-quality wines with refined acidity and delicate aromas like Burgundy, and many of the wines produced are relatively expensive.
On the other hand, Merlot is said to be a relatively tolerant and easy-to-grow variety compared to Pinot Noir.
Merlot boasts the second largest cultivation area in the world, which supports this. Of course, there are many expensive wines, but because of the large production volume, there are also many casual lineups. It produces rich-tasting wines with soft tannins and rich fruitiness all over the world, including Bordeaux.
The difference between Pinot Noir and Syrah
Pinot Noir is said to be a grape variety that is genetically closely related to Syrah.
Both share a smooth and elegant taste, but there are differences in color and tannic strength.
Compared to Syrah, Pinot Noir is lighter in color and has gentler tannins. Most of the wines are light to medium-bodied.
On the other hand, Syrah has a characteristic that Pinot Noir does not have: "an aroma of black pepper." In cool regions, it also tends to have "red plum aromas," and in warm regions, it tends to have "black plum aromas."
Pinot Noir recommended wines
We will introduce organic wines that allow you to enjoy Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir wines are often made from a single variety, so they tend to reflect the characteristics of the soil and climate, and you can enjoy the differences between regions even more by tasting and comparing them. At Mavi, we have a variety of types of Pinot Noir from different regions. In addition to red wine, we also offer rose sparkling wine. Please enjoy according to your preference.
All Pinot Noir sold at Mavi is EU organically certified . We are currently selling a special set that allows you to compare different Pinot Noir wines by region, so if you are interested, please give it a try.
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6 Recommended Pinot Noir Wines
Mavi has over 20 types of organic wine made from Pinot Noir. Here are 6 that we particularly recommend!
Gascony Pinot Noir Red
A light-bodied red wine made in Gascony, southwest of France. It has an aroma reminiscent of cherry blossoms and a refreshing fruitiness with the roundness and smoothness of Pinot Noir. It is a very clean, light and easy-to-drink wine. With a good balance of slight tannins, crisp acidity and fruitiness, it is sure to be a hit at the dinner table. You'll find yourself drinking the whole glass in no time.
Burgundy Red - Chateau de Premeaux
A basic Pinot Noir from the Nuits region in the northern part of the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, France. This organic wine is well-balanced, elegant and unobtrusive. The fresh fruitiness is very pleasant, and at the same time, the beautiful acidity that spreads throughout gives it an elegant finish. The astringency is very soft, and it has a silky texture.
TB Pinot Noir Red
A dry red wine from Languedoc, France. The refined acidity and elegant, fine tannins bring the whole wine together in a well-balanced way. It is recommended to pair it with dishes using chicken and mushrooms, and white mold cheese.
Alsace Pinot Noir Red
A dry red wine from Alsace, France. As you can imagine from its pale, pretty color, it is a very delicate and pretty wine. It is a different type from Burgundy Pinot Noir. The moderate acidity and gentle tannins blend together comfortably, making it clear that it was carefully made.
Nature Pinot Noir Red
A dry red wine from the Languedoc region of southern France, with no preservatives (SO2). It has a strong berry flavor, with long-lasting acidity and fine tannins that make it a pleasant drink. Its distinctive acidity makes it a great pairing with red meat sashimi such as tuna, or dishes such as stewed tomatoes. It is a very delicate wine that is not suitable for long-term aging, but this Pinot Noir without preservatives (SO2) is very rare.
Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot Red
This high-class red wine is made from Pinot Noir from Burgundy's first-class vineyards and aged in barrels for about a year and a half. It has a vivid, delicate yet deep aroma with strawberry fruit, rose, black tea, minerals, and roasted aromas. It has a delicate and beautiful mouthfeel and an excellent, clear acidity. It has a surprisingly soft texture, making it a very satisfying bottle that will make you feel like you are tasting high-quality Burgundy.
See the complete list of "Pinot Noir"
Pinot Noir wine tasting set
This is a set of three red wines made from 100% Pinot Noir from various regions in France. We recommend drinking them in the following order: Gascony, Alsace, and Burgundy.
First up is Gascony, which has an aroma reminiscent of cherry blossoms, with a slight hint of tannin and a crisp acidity, resulting in a supple, fruity finish.
Next is Pinot Noir, the only red wine in the Alsace AOC. Produced by the Meyer family, this red has silky tannins and a delicate flavor.
And finally... Burgundy is the first place that comes to mind when you think of Pinot Noir. The Pelletier family's wines, which have a pleasant fruitiness and complexity, are relatively powerful and have a clean taste that you can fully enjoy.
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