pinot noir

The French grape variety Pinot Noir is considered the “diva” among grape varieties. The variety called Spätburgunder in Germany, is more susceptible than other varieties to trickling and too high yields – concentration and varietal character quickly disappear if yields are too high. However, when successful, it can produce some of the greatest wines available. The best wines, however, have structure, complexity and an intensity of fruit rarely found in wines from other grape varieties. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, redolent of freshly crushed raspberries, cherries and currants. When ripe, the best wines develop a sensual, silky mouthfeel, with fruit flavours deepening and gamey tones emerging. The most important growing areas in Europe are in Burgundy, the Côte d’Or and in Germany, the Rhine and the Ahr. Overseas, it is the cooler growing regions in the US states of Oregon, Washington State and California. Excellent Pinot Noir from South Africa comes from the Hemel-en-Arde Valley, close to the Atlantic. For some years now, Pinot Noir wines from New Zealand, with its Pacific-influenced climate, have also been joining the ranks of the top Pinots. World-class New Zealand Pinot Noir comes from the regions of Marlborough, Martinborough and, above all, Central Otago, which lies in the very south of New Zealand.