🍇 Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is an ancient black wine grape from Burgundy in eastern France, whose history there can be traced back to the 14th century. In cool climates it gives light to moderately coloured, moderately acidic red wines valued for their aromatic complexity and finesse, and it is one of the pillars of Champagne. ²

A large family. The VIVC catalogue, which checks pedigrees with DNA markers, names Traminer (Savagnin) as one parent of Pinot Noir; the other is unknown. ¹ According to the OIV, crosses of Pinot Noir with Gouais Blanc gave 21 varieties grown in France. ² Pinot Gris is a close relative, and Pinot Blanc is a variant of Pinot Gris and therefore of Pinot Noir. ⁴

A demanding vine. Pinot Noir buds early, so spring frosts can hurt it, although it withstands winter cold very well. Cool, damp weather during flowering causes poor fruit set and uneven berries, so it does badly on wet clay soils, and it is susceptible to downy mildew, botrytis and leafhoppers. ²

Small harvest, rich grapes. The variety has low fertility, small clusters and very small berries, and in Burgundy it yields only 3–9 tonnes per hectare. The grapes are high in sugar, moderately acidic and have skins rich in polyphenols, and the wines age well in barrels. In warmer, more southern regions they gain alcohol but lose aromatic finesse. ²

Around the world. In 2015 Pinot Noir covered 112,000 ha. France had about 32,000 ha, 4 % of its vineyards, the USA 25,000 ha and Germany 12,000 ha, where it ranked third after Riesling and Müller-Thurgau. It also grows in Italy, Switzerland, Romania, Hungary, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and South Africa, and its area was growing fast in France and the USA. ²

Spätburgunder in Germany. According to the German Wine Institute, it covered 11,519 ha in 2023, about 11 % of the vineyard area, and is the country's leading red variety; most of it grows in Baden (5,029 ha), followed by the Pfalz, Rheinhessen and Württemberg, and on the Ahr it occupies 64 % of the vineyards. The institute says the vine reached Lake Constance in 884, the Rheingau in the 13th century and the Ahr from Burgundy in the 18th century. ⁶

The red grape of Champagne. Pinot Noir covers 38 % of the vineyard area in Champagne and dominates the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Bar. It likes cool, chalky soils and gives Champagne body and structure, with aromas of red fruits and flowers such as rose and violet. ⁴ Pressed gently, it is blended with Chardonnay into white sparkling wines. ²

Many names on the label. An EU wine may name a single variety only if at least 85 % of the wine comes from it. ³ Pinot Nero, Spätburgunder, Blauburgunder, Blauer Burgunder and Klevner are synonyms of Pinot Noir, not different grapes. ²⁶ Frühburgunder, or Pinot Madeleine, is a separate relative that ripens earlier and plays only a minor role. ⁶

Why it matters to you. A label saying Pinot Noir, Pinot Nero or Spätburgunder promises at least 85 % of the same grape. ³ Red wines are usually served at 15–18 °C, and the German Wine Institute suggests 16–18 °C for Spätburgunder. ⁵⁶ The WHO stresses that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. ⁷