Just in time for International Pinot Noir Day!

As if we would need an excuse to have a glass of the “Queen of Grape Varieties”.

What is it that people so much love about this grape? There must be something about it, right?

So let’s have a closer look. Some facts about one of the most sought after grapes you for sure should not miss!

Cherries (Photo by Roksolana Zasiadko via Unsplash)

Old Lady

Pinot Noir stands as one of the most ancient vine grape varieties, with its cultivation tracing back to the 1st century AD in Burgundy. This heritage predates Cabernet Sauvignon by at least a millennium, marking its presence for over a thousand years before its esteemed counterpart.

Call me “Black Pine Cone”

Noir means black and the word Pinot comes from French word Pineau, which is a diminutive of the word “pin” meaning pine. It is named Pinot Noir because the grape clusters look like black pine cones.

Game of Names

Augustiner, Auvernas, Blauer Klevner, Blauer Spätburgunder, Frühschwarzer, to name a few from Germany, Auvernat, Bourguignon, Clevner, Formentin Noir, and others in France, Pinot Nero in Italy, Cerna, Pino Ceren, Pino Fran, and more in Moldova, Blauburgunder, Blauer Klevner, Clevner, Schwarzburgunder in Austria, Pinot Cernii, Pinot Cherny in Russia, Pinot Noir, Burgundy, Clevner, and more in Switzerland, and yes, there are even more names in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and the USA.

Phew, and bare in mind, that’s just a little glimpse into the list of synonyms for Pinot Noir.

Swirling glass of red wine (Photo by Saman Taheri via Unsplash)

A World Citizen

This grape variety has found its way to diverse regions, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia’s northern regions, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, New Zealand, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, Uruguay, and notably the United States, which boasts the second — largest acreage for Pinot Noir cultivation, totaling 73,600 acres.

Like a Chameleon

Pinot Noir embodies terroir like no other, shaped by soil and climate into a versatile flavor spectrum. From Oregon’s light-bodied elegance to Napa’s bold fruitiness, terroir crafts unique stories. Santa Lucia’s winds gift cherry cola notes, Santa Barbara adds its twist. Burgundy, Australia’s Margaret River, and New Zealand’s Central Otago also leave their distinct mark.

Water and oil chameleon (Photo by Vinicius “amnx” Amano via Unsplash)

Unveil the chameleon-like Pinot Noir and explore terroir’s influence with Vinovoss!

Just in time for International Pinot Noir Day!

Lotte Gabrovits