Pinot Noir Flashcards
True or false: Pinot Noir is an easy grape variety to grow.
False. It’s prone to rot and disease.
Does Pinot Noir have thick or thin skins?
Thin
What type of climate does Pinot Noir need?
Cool to moderate
What happens to Pinot Noir if it’s grown in a climate that is too warm?
Can lose fresh fruit flavours and taste unattractively cooked.
Can get high alcohol levels and lack identifiable Pinot Noir fruit flavours.
What is the acidity level of Pinot Noir?
High
What is the tannin level of Pinot Noir?
Low to medium
What are the typical aromas and flavours of Pinot Noir?
Red fruit flavours: strawberry, raspberry, red cherry (ranging from fresh to cooked)
Pinot Noir is typically made as single variety wine. What is the notable exception?
Sparkling wine
Why are older and/or larger oak barrels often used for Pinot Noir?
Less impact on flavours, don’t overwhelm the grape varieties delicate flavours.
Result is subtle oak-derived flavours of smoke, cloves, vanilla.
Can very good or outstanding examples of Pinot Noir mature in bottle?
Yes, and develop complex tertiary flavours of forest floor and mushroom
What is the most famous region in France for Pinot Noir?
Burgundy
What is the name of the section of Burgundy which contains its most celebrated vineyards?
Côte d’Or (which is divided into the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune)
What is the labelling hierarchy in Burgundy (from broadest and simplest to smallest and most prestigious)?
Regional
Village
Premier Cru
Grand Cru
Name the regional appellation in Burgundy and describe a typical wine.
Bourgogne AOC
Light to medium bodied
Low tannins
High acidity
Fresh red fruit flavours
Meant to be drunk when young
Name the 4 Village AOCs for red Burgundy that you are expected to know for the WSET Level 2 in Wines qualification.
Gevrey-Chambertin AOC
Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC
Beaune AOC
Pommard AOC
What is it about Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards that allow them to be able to produce some of the most complex and intense wines of Burgundy.
-Vineyards on slopes
-South and south-eastern aspect
= more sunlight and warmth for concentrated flavours
True or false: a wine made from grapes exclusively from a single Premier Cru vineyard can have the name of that vineyard stated on the label.
True
True or false: a Premier Cru wine from Burgundy can be made from a blend of multiple vineyards
True
All vineyards must be classified as Premier Cru.
If the wine is from a single Premier Cru vineyard, the name of the vineyard can also appear on the label.
True or false: Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy have their own AOCs and only the name of the vineyard itself and the words Grand Cru need to appear on the label.
True
Why is it that California, a region which overall has a warm climate, has areas which can produce Pinot Noir?
Cooling influences from the ocean (ocean breezes and fog)
Which 3 Californian regions are known for producing quality Pinot Noir?
Los Carneros
Sonoma
Santa Barbara County
Describe the typical flavours associated with a Californian Pinot Noir.
Ripe red fruit flavours (strawberry, cherry) and often noticeable flavours from oak.
Apart from California, which other more northerly state is known to produce quality Pinot Noir with more subtle oak flavours?
Oregon
Name the coastal Chilean region which is well suited to Pinot Noir.
Casablanca Valley
