Pinot Noir - In South Africa mainly in cool climate regions

Pinot Noir is a noble classic among red wines, which is also very versatile. The intense ruby-red wine has a rich bouquet, but is nevertheless fine and elegant. Its flavour spectrum is ethereal and ranges from red to black fruits. Pinot Noir is almost always vinified as a single variety, as a sparkling wine it is called Crémant d'Alsace and rosé wines made from it are dominated by flavours of plum, elderberry and strawberry. Pinot Noir was probably cultivated in its native Burgundy almost 2000 years ago. Today, around 87,000 hectares worldwide are planted with the red wine grape.

More about Pinot Noir

Profiles

The Pinot Noir red wine is light and fine. It has few tannins and plenty of acidity. Depending on the ageing process and terroir, the flavour nuances of Pinot Noir range from silky and sensual to rustic and robust to polished and elegant. It is always characterised by ripe and luscious fruit aromas.

Fruit★★★★

Body★★★

Tannin★★

Acidity★★★★

Alcohol★★★

Flavours

Pinot Noirs delight with an almost ethereal spectrum of flavours, which becomes increasingly refined and varied the higher the quality of the Pinot Noir. The rather subtle aroma reflects red and black fruit flavours of cranberry, raspberry and cherry. Notes of roses, earthy tones, wood, spices and herbs can also often be tasted. Very mature Pinot Noirs also have aromas of mushrooms or leather. However, as Pinot Noir is always a reflection of its terroir, it is even classified according to vineyard location in its native Burgundy, France, for example.

Dominant notes:

- Cranberry
- cherry
- raspberry
- clove
- Mushroom

Possible notes:

- Herbs/flowers: violet, iris, hibiscus, rose, potpourri, rosehip, red liquorice, dried herbs
- Citrus: blood orange
- Red fruit: cranberry, pomegranate, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, candy floss
- Dark fruit: plum, plum sauce, blackberry, wild blueberry
- Dried fruit: dragon fruit
- Earth/Other: cocoa, powdery vapour, dry leaves, potting soil, mushroom, truffle
- Secondary notes: Cream, toasted bread
- Aged in oak: Brown sugar, cola, cinnamon, allspice, clove, vanilla, milk chocolate

Harmonises with

With its complexity and elegance, Pinot Noir is the perfect wine for food. Its earthy character harmonises perfectly with game dishes as well as wild mushroom and truffle dishes. However, it also goes well with white meat, soft cheeses such as Camembert and Brie and is also the right choice for dessert.

General information

The versatile Pinot Noir is a high-quality classic among red wines. It is one of the finest red wines in the world and comes mainly from cooler wine regions. Its original home is Burgundy and it is believed that the grape variety was cultivated there almost 2000 years ago and was bred by French winegrowers from a wild vine. It is not unlikely that the Pinot Noir vine is one of the oldest grape varieties in cultivation worldwide. It takes its name from its pinecone-like appearance. "Pin" is the French word for pine tree.

From France, the red wine grape began its triumphal march around the world. Today, Pinot Noir red wines also come from the United States, Germany, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Moldova. Around 87,000 hectares of vineyards worldwide are planted with it, even though it is considered a diva in the vineyard. It is difficult to cultivate and produces very different wines in the same location in each vintage. Basically, the red wine vine likes a temperate climate with a long growing season and calcareous soils. Only in this way can the grapes develop their intense flavour.

If the winemaker has a knack for Pinot Noir, his wines are characterised by finesse and elegance. Pinot Noir red wines are almost always single-varietal. Among the sparkling wines, Crémant d'Alsace is produced exclusively from Pinot Noir, while Pinot Noir is only one of several components in other champagnes. Rosé wines are also made from Pinot Noir and are characterised by aromas of sour plum, elderflower and green strawberry. Whether red wine, sparkling wine or rosé, Pinot Noirs always have a rich bouquet and intense ruby red colour.