Pinot Noir
Synonymy
In the European Union, Pinot noir is known by other names: Blauer Burgunder (Austria), Blauer Spätburgunder (Germany), Modri pinot (Slovenia), Pinot Nero (Italy), Pinot crni (Croatia), and Rulandské modré (Czech Republic, Slovakia). These synonyms are officially recognized in France for plant propagation material.
Registration Information
In France, Pinot noir is officially listed in the ‘Catalogue of Vine Varieties’ on the A list and is classified for wine grapes. This variety is also included in the catalogues of other European Union member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
Cultivation and Vine Characteristics
Pinot noir is particularly well-suited to temperate climate zones and yields the best results in clay-limestone terroirs. In hot climates, grape maturation is rapid, and the variety is sensitive to heat, with berries tending to shrivel when overripe. Pinot noir is typically trained and reaches its full potential when its vigor is low to moderate, with limited yields. This variety, which requires careful debudding, tends to produce a large number of grappillons. The bunches and berries are small to very small in size.
Wine Characteristics
Under favorable conditions, Pinot noir can produce exceptionally high-quality red wines, characterized by finesse, intensity, and aromatic complexity, making them well-suited for aging. The sugar accumulation potential is high, with moderate acidity (sometimes insufficient when fully ripe), and the colour is often not very intense but can be preserved over time. Pinot noir also makes excellent base wines for sparkling wine production.
Susceptibility to Diseases and Pests
Pinot noir is a delicate variety, sensitive to major diseases, particularly downy mildew, Rotbrenner, Botrytis (on both clusters and leaves), and vine leafhoppers.
Clonal selection in France
The 48 certified Pinot noir clones carry the numbers 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 162, 163, 164, 165, 236, 292, 372, 373, 374, 375, 386, 388, 389, 459, 460, 461, 462, 521, 528, 583, 617, 665, 666, 667, 668, 743, 777, 778, 779, 780, 792, 828, 829, 870, 871, 872, 927, 943, 1184, 1185, 1196, 1197 and 1306. Conservatories-collections, planted in Alsace, Burgundy (Côte d’Or and Saône-et-Loire) and in Champagne between 1971 and 1995, gather almost 800 clones.
Available Clones
1184
Lower production level and higher than average colouring intensity.
Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Low to medium
- Production Level: Low to medium
- Cluster Weight: Low
- Berry Size: Medium
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium to high
- Colour Potential: Medium to high
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium to high
- Oenological Characteristics: Wines appreciated for their colour and structure in the mouth.
1185
Lower production level and higher than average colouring intensity.
Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium to high
- Production Level: Low
- Cluster Weight: Low
- Berry Size: Low
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Low
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium to high
- Colour Potential: High
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium to high
- Oenological Characteristics: Wines appreciated for their colour, their aromatic complexity and their quality in the mouth.
MF
Loose cluster bunches that are less susceptible to Botrytis.
Available in: VineTech ClassicsClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium
- Production Level: High
- Cluster Weight: High
- Vine Vigor: Medium
- Berry Size: Medium to high
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Low
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium
- Colour Potential: Low
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Low to medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Typical wines of the grape variety with lighter colour. Suitable for the production of sparkling wines.
82
Reported to be slightly earlier ripening and seems to tolerate cold somewhat better, when vines are balanced.
Available in: VineTech SelectClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium
- Production Level: Low to medium
- Cluster Weight: Low to medium
- Vine Vigor: Medium
- Berry Size: Medium
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: High
- Colour Potential: High
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium to high
- Oenological Characteristics: Wines with deep colour, dark fruit complexity with good tannic structure.
114
Somewhat irregular clone but brings an interesting qualitative potential in its use.
Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium
- Production Level: Low to medium
- Cluster Weight: Low to medium
- Berry Size: Medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium to high
- Colour Potential: Medium to high
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Aromatic, distinctive and quite tannic wines.
115
Clone appreciated for its regularity of production, its growing characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained. Good aptitude for the production of wines for ageing.
Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Low to medium
- Production Level: Low to medium
- Cluster Weight: Low to medium
- Berry Size: Medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium to high
- Colour Potential: Medium
- Acidity: Low to medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium to high
- Oenological Characteristics: Distinctive, complex wines with good tannic structure.
125
This clone has a lower production level on average, and a lower susceptibility to Botrytis
Available in: VineTech InternationalClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium
- Production Level: Low
- Cluster Weight: Low to medium
- Vine Vigor: Medium
- Berry Size: Low than Medium
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Low to medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: High
- Colour Potential: Medium to high
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium to high
- Oenological Characteristics: Ruby red colour, smooth and powerful tannins.
165
Clone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium
- Production Level: Medium
- Cluster Weight: Medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Typical wines of the grape variety.
375
Yield to be mastered. Can be used for the production of sparkling wines.
Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium to high
- Production Level: High
- Cluster Weight: Medium to high
- Vine Vigor: Medium
- Berry Size: Medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Low to medium
- Colour Potential: Low to medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Supple and fruity red wines.
386
Fleshy berries. Considered the “typical” clone in champagne.
Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: High
- Production Level: Medium to high
- Cluster Weight: Medium to high
- Berry Size: Medium to high
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Low to medium
- Colour Potential: Medium
- Acidity: Medium to high
- Tannic Structure: Medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Suitable for the production of sparkling wines.
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