| Pinot Noir |
| The premier grape "cépage" of the Burgundy region of France, producing a red wine that is lighter in color than the Bordeaux reds (such as the Cabernet's or Merlot). Cépage clones of this variety have many alias names such as Auvernat Noir, Blauer Klevner, Coraillod, Noirien, Schwartz Klevner, Vert Dore, and even plain numbers. It has proved to be a capriciously acting and difficult grape for N. American wineries, best results being obtained in cool, fog-liable regions such as the Carneros region of northern California. Choice of a suitable clone version is critical, as is careful vineyard pruning technique and planting density. The importance of clone version is amply demonstrated with the recommendation of the "Wadensville" (Wädenswil) and "Mariafelder" (Klevner Mariafeld) clones, the latter ripening in mid-October, for use in the Finger Lakes region of New York State where they have consistently produced quality wines despite not being as cold-hardy as some other clones. Oregon growers seem to have a preference for the "UCD5 (Pommard)" clone. The worlds best "quality" wines are reputed to result from a mixing of suitable clones; a common practice in Burgundy, France, where numbers 667, 777 and 828 appear to be currently favored in addition to the reliable 114 and 115 when grafted to suitably limestone tolerant, moderately vigorous rootstocks such as Fercal and 161-49C. Cherished aromas and flavors often detected in varietal wines include cherry, mint, raspberry, truffles and the ubiquitous gamey odor in new wines often referred to as "animalé" by the french winemaker. German growers know this grape under several alias names, such as Spätburgunder. In Italy the variety is known as Pinot Nero. Growers in New Zealand are reported to use the AM 10/5, Bachtobel and UDC5 (Pommard) clones as dominant choices. The mutant clone variety known as Pinot Meunier is widely planted around the world under several alias names and is used to produce the main blending wine for so-called "Blanc de Noir" sparkling wines. In California the cépage has often been erroneously divided into various Gamay varieties until recent times. A new study (Meredith, Bowers et al, Science 9/99) has determined that many of the varieties for which Burgundy is justly famous, such as Chardonnay, Gamay Noir etc, all trace back to a cross that occurred between this variety and Gouais Blanc. |
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Introduction Glossary Cultivation Acknowledgments Introduction Hybrids |
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