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
459
Satisfactory quality if the yield is controlled.
Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium to high
- Production Level: High
- Cluster Weight: High
- Berry Size: Medium to high
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium
- Colour Potential: Medium
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium to high
- Oenological Characteristics: Balanced wines with good tannic structure.
521
Clone considered “typical” in champagne.
Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium to high
- Production Level: Medium to high
- Cluster Weight: Medium to high
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Suitable for the production of sparkling wines.
667
Clone appreciated for 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: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Fine and aromatic wines, good tannic structures.
777
Clone appreciated for its growing characteristics, and the quality/colour 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: Medium
- Production Level: Low
- Cluster Weight: Low
- Berry Size: Low to medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: High
- Colour Potential: Medium to high
- Acidity: Low to medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium to high
- Oenological Characteristics: Distinctive, powerful and aromatic wines with a good tannic structure.
828
Clone carrying the Red Globe leaf roll virus 2 variant. Appreciated for its growing characteristics, and the quality/colour 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: Medium
- Production Level: Low
- Cluster Weight: Low
- Berry Size: Low to medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: High
- Colour Potential: Medium to high
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium to high
- Oenological Characteristics: Aromatic, round and balanced wines with a good tannic structure.
943
More drooping vegetative habits. To be used with caution because of its particular behaviour depending on the vintage.
Available in: VineTech Select, VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium
- Production Level: Low
- Cluster Weight: Low
- Berry Size: Low to medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: High
- Colour Potential: Medium to high
- Acidity: Low to medium
- Tannic Structure: Medium to high
- Oenological Characteristics: Colourful and concentrated wines.
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