Pinot Noir History

Pinot noir history is a long and varied one. The pinot noir grape has been cultivated for centuries. It was grown and vinified by the Romans in the first century AD. Today it is grown around the world, from Algeria to the United States. Read on to learn more about this ancient grape that is beloved by Burgundy oenophiles.

While it can only be guessed exactly how the pinot noir grape was transported and planted around the world, it was described as being very similar to today's vines that are grown in Burgundy in De re rustica. It is known that Catholic monks were cultivating the pinot noir grapes in Burgundy in the sixth century with much success. The wine produced from these grapes was being transported to the Pope until the French Revolution in 1789. At that time the church run vineyards were seized and redistributed to families in the area. The vineyards are family run today.

It is believed that today's pinot noir vines may be only one or two generations removed from wild vines. The vines that grow so well in France today may have been imported from ancient Greece.

The vines are considered to be genetically unstable. Offspring vines may bear fruit that does not resemble the parents at all. Currently there are 46 recognized clones and there may be as many as 1,000 clones throughout the world.

Well known clones and mutants include the following:

• Pinot Blanc
• Pinot Chardonnay
• Pinot Moure
• Pinot Teinturier
• Pinot Gouges or Pinot Musigny
• Pinot Liebault
• Pinotage
• Wrotham Pinot
• Fruhburgunder

The pinot noir grape is grown around the world, but it does best in Bourgogne, France. The soil there is well drained and full of calcium carbonate. The area where these grapes are grown with so much success is called the cote d'Or or Slope of Gold. Of all the wine regions in the world, this is where the pinot noir grape is grown consistently with much success.

The wine regions where this grape is commonly grown include:

• Australia
• Austria
• Canada
• England and neighboring Wales
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Moldova
• New Zealand
• Spain
• Switzerland
• United States

The pinot noir grape will absorb the taste of the land where the grapes are grown, so it is very important to carefully pick where the grapes will be planted. Typical smell and flavor descriptions include:

• Fruit – cherry, strawberry, raspberry, plum, ripe tomato
• Floral- rose, violet
• Spice – rosemary, cinnamon, caraway, peppermint, sassafras
• Herbs- beet, oregano, green tea, black olive, rhubarb, green tomato

Some of the problems that plague the pinot noir grape may help to explain why it is so difficult to cultivate, even in what may seem ideal climates.

• Frost – While the vines do well in cold temperatures, the young leaves of the plants in the spring can be killed by frost. The pinot noir is an early leafing variety.
• Sharpshooter Leafhopper – Like many other grape varieties, the pinot noir plays host to the Sharpshooter Leafhopper. Unfortunately, this pest carries Pierce's Disease, which can decimate an entire vineyard in a few short years.
• Leaf Roll Virus – The leaf roll virus affects many pinot noir vines that are ten years of age and older.
• Birds – As with other grapes, the pinot noir is susceptible to birds eating the ripened fruit, perhaps even more so because of the smaller leaf size of the plant.

The pinot noir grape holds much potential if the right combination of plant and soil can be found. In the United States, it is believed that the plants may be grown successfully and consistently in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. It may also find a permanent home in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

Pinot noir history has shown us that ancient grape varieties may be as good a performer in today's market as they were at the beginning of recorded history. The wine produced from the pinot noir is enjoyed today in the same way it was during the time of the Romans. With a little success, it will continue to be enjoyed centuries from now.

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