Pinot Noir is a beautiful, renowned red wine grape variety that is French in origin. Made from these French grapes, Pinot Noir wine is one of the most popular on the planet.
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Aside from creating beautiful wines, there is much known about Pinot Noir. Here are 10 wonderful facts to get you better acquainted with the grape and wine:
Pinot Noir Wine Facts:
Named After The Pine Cone:
Bunches or clusters of Pinot Noir grapes resemble a pine cone, due to the tightly packed appearance. Early French winemakers took note of this shape and started to call it Pinot (a term that means “shape of a pine cone”). The word Noir is the French for Black. So, Pinot Noir means – Black Pine Cone.
Pairs Amazingly With Many Foods:
Pinot Noir is an incredibly versatile wine. When it comes to food pairings, it is perfect for game meats, duck and other fatty birds, fatty fish such as salmon and stews. Versatile and diverse, Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with many foods. Duck and pork, even fish pair wonderfully with the dark, full wine.
Best known for the Pinot Noir grape due to climate, Germany, Switzerland, and France dominate the market. Cool climates help facilitate the perfect environment for the growing of this grape.
Best Served:
Due to the acidic and delicate nature of many Pinot Noirs, and because they often contain less tannins than other red wines. Serving Pinot Noir wine chilled brings out the best flavor profiles. This will bring out the best aromas and taste in the wine, allowing you to enjoy all of its complex notes. The myth that red wine should not be served cold died long ago.
The Romans Loved A Glass of Pinot Noir Wine:
Ancient Roman records have confirmed that the romans loved Pinot Noir. During their times of their historic empire this grape important political figures and rich individuals would import the grapes or wine to enjoy. After the conquering of Ancient Europe, Pinot Noir was spread all over the region to be enjoyed by all. Furthermore, it is theorized that businessmen and even soldiers took clippings of the Pinot Noir plant home with them and it spread across the empire.
Growing Pinot Noir:
Due to the tight pine cone bunches the Pinot grapes grow, they are particularly susceptible to various dangers for the grapes. For example, the tight clusters provide shade to many varieties of bugs, as well as the perfect environment for micro-organisms and fungi. This can make the grape difficult and often perilous to grow. Incredibly sensitive, Pinot Noir grapes thrive with great care.
Heat and Pinot:
Best known for the Pinot Noir grape due to climate, Germany, Switzerland, and France dominate the market. Cool climates help facilitate the perfect environment for the growing of this grape. The most high quality Pinot Noir come from these countries.
Pinot Noir Has Cousins We Love:
The Pinot variety of grape produces many wines enjoyed across the world. Pinot Blanc and the famous Pinot Grigio. These are examples of the Pinot Grape, all being mutations of one another. Clippings and modern technology are used to create new varieties all the time. More than 30 varieties of Pinot grow in France.
A Finicky Grape:
It is known that soil compositions, amount of sunlight, climate, and more can affect the quality of grapes for wine. More heat and sun over a sustained period of time can result in higher sugar percentages for example. Pinot Noir is no different, in fact, it is considered a particularly sensitive grape variety.
Staying Close To Home:
France, where the grape originated, is still the leading grower of Pinot Noir in the world today.