Pinot Noir from Wine Grower’s Point of View

 

Wine professionals would agree with the statement that Pinot Noir behaves like a princess, being attractive, delicate and sometimes unpredictable.

Zsolt Nagy, Jammertal Wine Estate’s viticulturist, gives us an overview about the challenges related to this variety.

How can we please Pinot Noir?

Choosing the proper location of the vineyard is a decisive factor.

Due to early bud breaking this variety is frost sensitive. You should avoid low- lying areas. That’s why we planted Pinot Noir in higher altitudes in Palkonya and Diósviszló.

However, outwitting the frost is important, but it is only one factor.

A spot on a hilltop facing to south or south-west would cause serious difficulties because of the danger of overripening. We talk about a time frame of a few days, not weeks, when the optimal picking date can be chosen.

We deal with a Sub-Mediterranean climate in the Villány wine region therefore our Pinot Noir plantations are located in north-eastern or north-western positions.

If cultivating Pinot Noir you should understand the importance of vitality.

The viticulturist has to balance on a knife’s edge to ensure the grapevines be neither overly vegetative nor overly generative.

Theoretically and practically yields can fluctuate between the extremes of 2 ‘ 000 Kg / Ha and 20 ‘ 00 Kg / Ha with all the desired / despised consequences. Balance is everything.

 Zsolt Nagy, Jammertal Wine Estate’s viticulturist

“ Pinot “ is derived from the French word for “ pine “ and is indicative of the shape of the cluster. Pinot Noir is susceptible to several viticulture hazards, like rot, because it grows in tightly packed clusters and has a thin skin. The tight bunches limit airflow between the grapes and can also promote uneven ripening.

In summer canopy management is crucial to protect against sunburn.

Pinot Noir requires special attention during ripening. Great care must be taken to avoid overripening. Our philosophy is to maintain a richer canopy which would provide for a greater shading effect. But again, it is like walking a tight rope because of the impact of foliage on the intensity air flow and the consequent risk of rot…

In a nutshell it can be said that Pinot Noir is not an ordinary variety. Always needs something extra and remains unpredictable.

The variety makes sure you understand who’s the boss and will keep the final decision in its own hands until the very moment of truth ( harvest ). We can only contribute to, not really determine the development of its great quality. Then Pinot Noir decides whether to grant us outstanding rewards, like a beautiful but capricious princess...