Pinot Noir

Also known as

Pinot Nero, Spätburgunder

Pinot Noir is a black-skinned Vitis vinifera grape that originated in France and is most closely associated with Burgundy. Its name comes from the French words for pine and black, referring to its tightly clustered, pinecone-shaped bunches. Pinot noir, Pinot gris and Pinot blanc are color mutations of the same genetic variety, while Pinot meunier is a chimeric mutant of Pinot. DNA evidence links Pinot Noir to Savagnin Blanc with one parent still unknown.

It grows mainly in cool to moderate climates across about 20 countries on four continents. France holds the largest share, especially in Burgundy and Champagne, followed by the United States, Germany and Italy. Leading New World regions include Oregon's Willamette Valley, California's Russian River and Sonoma Coast, New Zealand's Central Otago and Marlborough, and cooler corners of Australia, South Africa and Chile.

In the glass it is typically pale to medium ruby, with high acidity and light, fine tannins. Expect red fruit such as strawberry, raspberry, cherry and cranberry, often with earthy, mushroom or forest-floor notes. It appears as a light-bodied red and is one of the main grapes in Champagne and traditional-method sparkling wines.