Pinot Noir
Wine Regions
Pinot Noir puts Burgundy on the wine map.
Pinot Noir in France
The most famous (and expensive) Pinot Noir wines in the world come from Burgundy in France.
The top regions are Côte d´Or (Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune) in North Burgundy.
The reason back this success is the unique terroir (limestone) and climate which gives a wide palette of sensory experience. This is also the reason why you seldom find the name of the grape variety (Pinot Noir) on the label, but only the place of production.
Pinot Noir in USA
The cold climates of Oregon and North California are perfect for Pinot Noir.
High Quality areas / regions:
Willamette Valley (Oregon)
Sonoma Coast (California north coast)
Los Carneros (California Sonoma and Napa)
Santa Barbara County (California central coast)
Oregon AVAs
| AVA | Location |
|---|---|
| Willamette Valley | From Portland to Eugene |
| Chehalem Mountains | Willamette Valley |
| Dundee Hils | Willamette Valley |
| Eola-Amity Hills | Willamette Valley |
| McMinnville | Willamette Valley |
| Ribbon Ridge | Willamette Valley |
| Yamhill-Carlton | Willamette Valley |
Map from Willamette Valley Wineries Association.
California AVAs
In general, California is too warm for Pinot Noir, but there are exceptions:
Mendocino County in the northmost CA
Chilled by the Pasific Ocean.
Sonoma Coast in northern CA
Cooled down by the ocean winds.
Los Carneos between Sonoma and Napa
Cooled down by the morning fog from the San Pablo Bay.
Santa Barbara County on the central coast
Cooled down by sea breezes from both south and west.
| AVA | Location |
|---|---|
| Anderson Valley | Mendocino County |
| Sonoma Coast | Sonoma County |
| Russian River Valley | Sonoma County |
| Los Carneros | Sonoma and Napa County |
| Santa Cruz Mountains | Santa Cruz County |
| Santa Lucia Highlands | Monterey County |
| Santa Rita Hills | Santa Barbara County |
Other US Regions
| AVA | State |
|---|---|
| Columbia Valley | Washington |
| Walla Walla Valley | Washington |
| Finger Lakes (Keuka,Seneca,Canandaigua,Cayuga) | New York |
| Hudson River Region | New York |
Blauburgunder in Austria
Most of the Austrian Blauburgunder is producd in Burgenland and in Lower Austria.
Blauburgunder wines are similar in character to Pinot Noir wines from Burgundy.
If aged, French barrels (barriques) are most often used.
Austrian Pinot Noir is a lot of quality for the money. Try it with a schnitzel!
Pinot Nero in Italy
Pinot Noir thrives well in the cold climates of Northern Italy.
High Quality areas / regions:
Trentino
Alto Adige
Veneto
Friuli
Franciacorta
Pinot Noir also plays a main role in the italian sparkling wine Franciacorta.
Pinot Noir was first cultivated in South Tyrol (Alto Adige) as "Bourgoigne Noir" around 1830. Later it was called "Blauburgunder" like in Austria.
Today both Pinot Nero and Pinot Noir are common names.
Spätburgunder in Germany
In Germany, Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) is the most widely planted red grape.
The German climate is good for producing Pinot Noir.
Spätburgunder wines are similar in character to Pinot Noir wines from Burgundy.
If aged, French barrels (barriques) are most often used.
High Quality areas / regions / regions are Baden, Pfalz and Ahr.
In Germany there is also a smaller, early ripening, variety called Frühburgunder ("Early Burgundian") which is grown in Rheinhessen and Ahr.
Pinot Noir in Switzerland
High Quality areas / regions:
Graubünden
Valais
Schaffhausen
In Switzerland, Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red grape.
Pinor Noir trives well in the cooler climates of Switzerland.
Pinot Noir in New Zealand
High Quality areas / regions:
Martinborough (North Island)
Central Otago (South Island)
Marlborough (South Island)
Pinot Noir is New Zealand's second largest grape variety (after Sauvingnon Blanc).
Some of New Zealand’s very best Pinot Noir wines are produced in Central Otago.
Other High Quality areas / regions / regions are Marlborough and Martinborough.
Mentionable regions are also Canterbury, Nelson, and Waiarapa.
Pinot Noir in Chile
Pinor Noir trives well in the cooler climates of Chile. The coastal regions of Chile can deliver some of the best values in the world.
High Quality areas / regions:
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio
Bio Bio
Chilean Pinot Noir wines are considered to be very good value for money.
Chilean Pinot Noir grows between the Pacific Ocean and the coastal mountains. This means hot days with little rain, combined with cold nights and foggy mornings. The cooling mountain breezes create high quality Pinot Noir with perfect acidity.
The mountain soil is composed of draining sand and mineral-intense granite.
Chilean Pinot Noir wines are often aged for about 12 months in French oak. This creates medium-body, bright fruit, well balanced, Burgundian style Pinot wines.
Pinot Noir in Australia
High Quality areas / regions:
Adelaide Hills (South Australia)
Mornington Peninsula (Victoria)
Yarra Valley (Victoria)
Tasmania
In general, Australia is too warm for producing a well balanced Pinot Noir, but some areas in Victoria (with cooling winds from the Southern Ocean) have proven well.
Pinot Noir thrives best in the South-Eastern's cool climat, and some wines from Yarra Valley are considered rivals to of Burgundy, with vibrant plum and cherry notes balanced by fine tannins.
Pinot Noir in Argentina
Pinor Noir trives in the cooler climates of Argentina.
High Quality areas / regions:
Patagonia
Rio Negro
Mendoza
Dry-cool climate keeps this disease-prone grape healthy. Longer growing season, desert soil, temperature dropping in the night (ensuring good acidity) are the keys of its success.
Patagonian Pinot Noir grapes were originally planted to supply the bubble industry of Mendoza, where Moet Chandon is a big player.
Pinot Noir in South Africa
High Quality areas / regions:
Walker Bay
Elgin
In South Africa, Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red grape.
Pinor Noir trives well in the cooler climates of South Africa.
Most of the production is focused on the cool south coast.