No Wine For Everybody: Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a very old variety closely related to Vitis Sylvestris. However its origin cannot be definitely traced back.
Its name derives from the French words for
“pine” and “black”. The word pine may allude to the variety’s tightly packed,
cone-shaped bunches of grapes.
This variety is planted around the world
nowadays. It originates from France where high – end red wines are made from it
in Burgundy. The variety is an important constituent of noble sparkling whites
of the Champagne region.
*
its
buds break early so the vine is prone to the risk of spring frost
*
its
thin skin and tight bunches make it less resistant to fungal disease.
The wines produced from Pinot Noir grapes vary
from most reds in several aspects. Spiciness and multi- layered finesse dominate
instead of explosive fruitiness.
If generalising it could be said that Pinot
Noir would not be the first choice for wine newbies yet it could become one of
the most exciting varieties in the eyes of connoisseurs.
In cooler climates the wine has an elegant acid character with typical aromas of medicinal plants and earthiness. Such places are Burgundy, New Zealand, Canada (Okanagan), Switzerland, USA (Oregon and Long Island), Etyek and Eger in Hungary.
On a terroir with warmer temperatures and more
hours of sunlight wines produced from Pinot Noir have more velvety, mature fruity
aromas. Pinot Noir wines of this sort are grown in the mountainous areas of
Tuscany in Italy, in the USA ( Carneros / Napa California ), in Australia (
Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula ) and in Villány in Hungary.
Pinot Noir is an important grape for producing
fine champagne. It gives depth, backbone and complexity to the world’s finest
sparkling wines.
In 1925 in South - Africa Pinot Noir was
crossed with a grape of French origin called “Cinsaut” (or “Cinsault”) - which was locally known as “Hermitage”
- thus creating an unique variety only grown there known to the world as “Pinotage”.
We are pleased to announce that a limited
series of Jammertal Estate 2017 Pinot Noir will be available to the public as
from 17th of May. The design of the wine will be released in the
first week of April and those interested will be able to place an order in
advance with an early bird discount.
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