In the vineyard, Pinot Noir is capricious. It is early at bud break, moderately vigorous and early maturing. It is rather susceptible to rot. Its film contains only a few coloring materials (anthocyanins). Thus, it lends itself well to white vinification, such as Weissherbst, Federweiss and Blanc de Noirs, or rosé which is found in Switzerland under the name of Oeil-de-Perdrix, a specialty of Neuchâtel.
Pinot Noir thrives in cool climates and favors well-drained limestone soils.
Vinified in tuns or stainless steel vats, Pinot Noir produces fruity wines with soft tannins which exude aromas of raspberries, strawberries and violets. He then produces wines comparable to Gamay, the emblematic grape variety of Beaujolais and also planted in Switzerland.
Aged in barrels , Pinot Noir shows secondary notes of vanilla, cloves and toast.
With attention and meticulousness, this grape variety has the power to produce exceptional wines of incredible finesse and longevity.
As they age, the best wines captivate with their incomparable complexity, their silky tannins and their persistence on the palate, revealing tertiary notes of truffles and undergrowth.
Despite extensive research, the exact origins of Pinot Noir have not been proven. It is genetically close to the wild Vitis Silvestris vine. By natural crossing with Gouais Blanc it is the progenitor of illustrious descendants such as Aligoté, Chardonnay and Gamay .
It most likely comes from the north of France. He was in fact mentioned for the first time in 1375 in Burgundy , his favorite land, which raised him to the rank of global star. Pinot Noirs from the Côte d'Or are among the most expensive wines in the world, like the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
Pinot Noir also plays an important role in sparkling wine blends, in Champagne and the Prosecco region for example. In Champagne , it is vinified as white and produces, with Meunier and Chardonnay, large vintages. It brings structure and aging potential to the blend. In Veneto, it has recently been blended with the Glera grape variety to produce rosé Proseccos .
With the exception of Ticino , Pinot Noir is the most planted black grape variety in the various regions of Switzerland where it covers 3,986 ha, or 27% of the national vineyard . It is found in German-speaking Switzerland, on the Graubünden side, in Neuchâtel , in the Trois-Lakes region as well as in the cantons of Valais and Vaud . Graubünden has made it a specialty, producing excellent Pinot Noirs, like the Maienfel Pinot Noir from Cottinelli .
The best New World Pinot Noirs come from the United States (Oregon, California) or the South Island of New Zealand (Central Otago).
As an aperitif, choose for example the liveliness and deliciousness of a Menestrello Prosecco Rosé . A fruity and refreshing vintage that will open your taste buds.
For white meat or fish, opt for a rosé Pinot Noir with a discreet structure and delicate aromas of red fruits, such as a quality Oeil-de-Perdrix from Château d'Auvernier in Neuchâtel. L'Oeil-de-Perdrix is also a good alternative if you want to combine Pinot Noir and raclette.
For red meat, game or dishes with sauce, turn to a more powerful, spicy and woody wine. A wine from Burgundy like a Mercurey from Domaine Henri de Villamont , from Valais like La Guérite from Maurice Gay , from the canton of Vaud like the Domaine de Montauban Grand Cru , or, for travelers, a Pinot Noir from Oregon in the USA from the Francis Ford Coppola Winery .
For dessert, treat yourself to a moment of grace with a Champagne from Maison Duval-Leroy , accompanied for example by slices of pineapple or a raspberry tart.
