2. Pinot What?
Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Pinotage. Are these grapes connected somehow? Understanding the relationship between them will enhance your knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of the all the Pinots you drink.
10 May 2019

3. Tasting See Swirl Smell Sip See Notice the color and intensity
Is the wine clear or hazy?
Swirl Gently swirl the wine around in the glass to release aromas
Smell What aromas do you smell?
Are they light or intense?
Sip What flavors do you taste?
Does the wine feel light or heavy?
What sort of textures do you feel?
How much does it make your mouth water?
How long to the flavors linger?
Aroma Wheel Primary v. Secondary v. Tertiary

4. Pinot Noir History Older than Cabernet Sauvignon by 1000 years
PN was 1st documented in 1300’s
Thought to have originated in Burgundy
Migrated to Alsace, Germany, Northern Italy, then around the world
Janice Robinson, author of Wine Grapes for more information
-much older than Cab Sauv by 1000 years
-PN was first documented in 1300’s as a side note to people’s general distaste for other grapes grown in Burgundy
-migrated to Alsace, Germany, northern Italy, then all over the world
-Janice Robinson, author of Wine Grapes – a complete guide to 1368 wine varieties including their origins and flavors.

5. Propogation of wine grapes:
Making multiple plants from the same plant
Take a cutting
Layering
Clones
Making multiple plants from two plants
Cross fertilization
HybCrossing
Hybirds
Making multiple plants from the same plant
Take a cutting – method used in commercial nurseries
Layering- cane bent down with tip pointed upward out of the ground
Risk of phylloxera
Clones
Genetically identical but still possible to see mutation
may be done to have a better resulting fruit quality, resistant to disease, handle specific growing condition better
Result in a new variety: pinot blanc, Pinot Gris as mutation of pinot noir
Making multiple plants from two plants
Cross fertilization
Where the pollen of one plant is transferred to another plant and it develops into a grape with seeds
Organic material will be different from both parents
May have some recognizable characteristics of the parent vine but not always
Not seen largely in commercial usage because of the time investment for testing to then determine the long-term value of the variety and whether it should be grown/ sold
Hybirds
Where a vine has parents from 2 different vine species usually one is Eurpopean: Vitis Vinfera
American vines species vitis labrusca, vitis riparia, vitis rupestris, vitis berlandieri, or muscadine routundifolia
Some are resistant to powder/ down mildew and phylloxera
Vidal Blanc Vitis Vinerfa and an American vine parent
Crossing
When a new vaiety is produced from 2 parents of the same species
European vine Vitis vinifera
Cab Franc X Sauv Blanc = Cab Sauv

6. Genes:
Crossing of Gouais Blanc and Pinot = Aligoté, Aubin Vert, Auxerrois, Bachet Noir, Beaunoir, Chardonnay, Dameron, Franc Noir de la Haute-Saône, FranÇois Noir Femelle, Gamay Blanc Gloriod, Gamay Noir, Gros Bec, Knipperlé, Melon, Mézy, Peurion, Romaine, Romorantin, Roublot, Rubi, Sacy
Crossing of Gouais Blanc and Various = Abondance, Affenthaler, Aramon Noir, Blanc Dame, Blauer Wildbacher, Blaufränkisch, Bouillan, Burgund Noir, Cep Rouge, Chalosse Noire, Chevrolin, Dameret, Dimyat, Elbling, Epinou, Feunate, Folle Blanche, Frâncusa, Gouget Noir, Graisse, Grolleau Noir, Gros Blanc, Grosse Jacquère, Grosse Roussette, Gueuche Noir, Guignard de Saintours No 2 Noir, Heunisch Rose, Jacquère, Menu Pineau, Merlinot, Milgranet, Molette, Mollard, Montils, Montmélian Blanc, Morlin Gris, Muscadelle, Noir Fleurien, Onchette, Pé de Perdrix, Pétoin, Raffiat de Moncade, Ranfol, Ribier Noir, Riesling, Rosé du Var, Rossara Trentina, Roussaou, Saint-Côme, Sainte-Marie, Saint-Pierre Doré, Timpurie

7. Clones: Fruhburgunder = almost exclusively in western Germany
Ripens 2 to 3 weeks before PN which explains its name Fruh = early
Clones of PN
Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are genetic mutations of Pinot Noir.  Pinot Blanc the white version.  Pinot Gris the gray/pinkish purple version.  (I have heard that Pinot Blanc is actually a mutation of Pinot Gris )  So, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris/Grigio and Pinot Blanc/Bianco have identical DNA profiles.  Pinot Meunier is a chimeric mutation of Pinot Noir - the inside cells are close to Pinot Noir or Gris but the outer layer is distinctive.
many different clones of PN exist- winemakers realize that different ones result in different qualities levels and tastes. Some do better in specific climatic conditions over others
more than 1000 registered clones according to Janice Robinson
Because Pinot Noir is genetically unstable, a vine can occasionally experience a point mutation in which it bears all black fruit except a single cane that produces white fruit! Within the Pinot Noir grapevine are two genes called anthocyanins that spur a biochemical reaction. When these genes are active, they give the grape its dark color. “Noir” means black, after all! In one of Pinot Noir’s mutations, these genes are both inactive. This produces Pinot Blanc, or White Pinot.
There isn’t much that these three grapes have in common beyond their preference for cooler climates and their ability to produce wines with crisp acidity
PN and PG have thin skins (noble white grape in Alsace)
Many are floral

8. Anne Amie Cuvée Pinot Blanc 2015
Anne Amie Pinot Blanc 2015
Also know as Weissburgunder in Germany, Pinot Bianco in Italy
Region: Yamhill-Carlton AVA and the Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers
Twelve Oaks Estate
Estate vineyard are on rolling hills of the Yamhill-Carlton District and on the steep hillsides of the Chehalem Mountains Both are in Willamette Valley
Lies east of the Cascades MTS and stretches south from Portland. It has the largest concentration of wieners in Oregon. Moderate climate, experiences cooling breezes from the Pacific. Mostly dry with long sunny date and cool nights
Grape: 100% Pinot Blanc
History:
Dr. Robert Pamplin is a philanthropist, businessman, farmer, minister and author of 13 books. He purchased the historic Chateau Benoit Winery in Awarded Entrepreneur of the Year, an America’s Outstanding Individual Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professional….
Thomas Houseman- winemaker- started his career in his parent’s Hampton Roads, Virginia home making wine from welches grape juice.
Tasting notes: Aroma of orange blossom, jackfruit, gramham, Meyer lemon, juicy fruit, golden delicious apple and Flavors of yellow plum, golden delicious apple, and cherimoya. Mineral driven finish
Specs:
765 cases, harvested on 22 Sept 2015, release date Oct 2017
ABV 13.4%, Total Acidity 6.2 g/L, RS 0.6%
Sustainable farming and winemaking
Hand harvested; whole cluster pressed
The lightly press juice was cold fermented for max varietal character the rest was aged in French oak 10% new on its lees for 10 months before bottling
Winey is proud to be Salmon Safe and LIVE certified
90 Points from Wine Enthusiast
Pairing:
Roast chicken, clam chowder, eggplant parmesan, shrimp risotto, grilled sturgeon, onion tart
Price: $20.99

9. Pinot Grigio: from northern Italy and foothill of the Alps
Pinot Grigio: from northern Italy and foothill of the Alps . Austria, Romaine, Slovenia, and Hungary, Pfaltz, Okanagan (Canada)
-produced in stainless steel tanks, not oak aging no malolactic fermentation, lower ABV
-cooler climate, picked early to hold onto acidity
Fruity & Dry Pinot Gris: Australia, new Zealand, Chile, California, Oregon
fruit driven style, pick out lemon, yellow apple, white peach,
More fruit says sun friendly climates,
Less intense acid as compared to Italy, more of an oily textured mouthfeel .. .malolactic fermentation
-produced in stainless steel tanks nor neutral barrels, aged on the lees, some malo
Fruity & Sweet Pinot Gris: Alsace France, the only region in the world making sweet style
Flavors of sweet lemon candy, honey comb, honey crisp apples,
Increase mouth feel with use of noble rot grapes to max flavor potential
-let stay on the vine to get all the sugar into the grapes, lower acidity, potentially grown in warmer climate, more fruity.

10. Chimeric skin:
Attached, for your viewing pleasure, is a Pinot Gris grape that is chimeric in its skin.  It has two different DNAs on that skin.  My photo but feel free to use.

11. Gio Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2017
Region:
Delle Venezie DOP which includes Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentio-Alto Adige, and Veneto
Veneto appellations regions
Wine is appellated Delle Venezie DOC but vineyards are located in the Veneto region
Grape: Pinot Gris
History:
Gio (pronounced Joe) is short for giovane, the Italian word for young.
Wine growing collaboration of winegrowers dating back to 1948 which supports about 1300 families
Gio wines are fresh, young and vibrant; crafted by a collaboration of local winegrowers dating back to 1948 called Viticoltori Ponte. This Collective, focused on family-owned vineyards, farms over 4,900 acres in Veneto and delle Venezie appellations and is guided by long-time winemaker Damiano Canali (
1948: 12 founding partners
1955: inauguration of new Ponte de Piave premises
1987: Foundation of Viticoltoral practices
: merger with Treviso winery of Villorba and Eraclea
2001: acquisition of Caposile winery
Today the work of the best winegrowers in Vento region
Make themselves into innovators, committed to elevating wines from the vineyard practices to state of the are winery practices. (superior processing of the grapes to have a more refined end product
Respect the land with balanced agricultural practices thanks to the use of innovative winemaking technologies
Tasting notes: bouquet is fruity, delicate, complex
Specs:
Clay soil of medium fertility and light sand
Soft pressing and control temperature
4 g/L residual sugar
Certified organic and FSSC 22000
One headquarter location near Venice; Ponte di Piave which is adjacent to the historical premises of the winery just outside the center of Ponte di Piave in the direction of Oderzo
Pairing: risotto, pasta, fish, shellfish, chicken, salads, sushi; Boursin, Goat Cheese, Gouda
Price: $13.99

12. The conglomerate of vineyards that make up the co-op are show here.

13. The Ned Pinot Gris 2018 The Ned Pinot Gris 2018
Region: Waihopai Valley and Leefield Station
Represents vibrant diversity that is so prevalent in Marlborough growing region.
Grape: 100% Pinot Gris
History:
Brent Marris grew up on some of the vineyards in Marlborough planted by his father
Brent was the first local Marlborough to become a qualified winemaker, he helped develop the Oyster Bay brand, built Wither Hills with his father (sold that off), then built Marisco Vineyards.
268-hectare property on the banks f the Waihopai River, planted Sauv Blanc, P Gris, and PN.
Purposely restricting varieties to those proven to deliver outstanding fruit
By 2006 he launched The Ned brand name.
80% of production is exported
Tasting notes: delicate salmon pink color. Has a gentle aromatic of baked yellow apple, persimmon and powdered ginger embedded in a warm palate
Specs:
Ethos: young at heart – true expression of grassroots wine making
A sustained warm summer, one of the warmest Decembers on record
Ripening in January to March
Unpredictable weather patterns meant harvest was done fast
Portion of the fruit was give skin contact to help enhance a salmon pink color – signature style for the Ned
Gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks
Temp control ensured a slow, steady fermentation to preserve aromatics
Selected yeast strains to enhance varietal intensity
Drink with in 2 to 3 years of vintage date.
Pairing: pairs well with fish and watermelon salad
Price: $15.99

14. Georgia, Slovenia, Certain parts of Italy
Pinot grigio, Malvasia, Rkatsiteli, and Friulano
6000 BC Geogia holds the strongest claim to having invented the style
Archaeological evidence of qvevri (clay vessels) which were historically buried underground to allow temperature fermentation conditions.
Food matches complexities, textures and aroma is arguably more adaptable and food friendly than whit or red

15. Pinotage History 1925 – Developed by Professor Abraham Perold
PN chosen fine wine & thrive in harsh vinicultural environments
1960 – called the signature South Africa’s grape
1980s Beyers Truter promoted it international
Today grown in California, Virginia, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany
Developed by Professor Abraham Perold in 1925 at Welgevallen experimental farm at the University of Stallenbosch (South Africa) as a cross between cinsault (called Hermitage) and PN
Pinot Noir chosen for its ability to produce fine wines, the second for its ability to thrive in a harsh vinicultural environment and be successful.
Then largely ignored for 50 years
At the time Cinsault was known in the South Africa as Hermitage, which prompted the moniker Pinotage.
The popular in 1960s and it has been called the signature South Africa’s grape
Revival began in 1980s thanks to Beyers Truter who championed it international for recognition
Grown: California, Virginia, Australia, NZ and Germany

16. Wildekrans Estate Pinotage 2016
Region: community of Bot River
South Africa should have a hot climate considering the latitude between 27 and 34 degrees.
Mitigating factors to cool the area include the cold Benguela current that flows from the Southern Ocean and the Cape doctor wines- strong south easterly summer wind that bring in the cool ocean air
Grape: 100% Pinotage
History:
Philosophy base on the premise that great wines begin in the vineyard. Care is taken to match varietals to suitable soil types then nurturing to produce low yield crops of pronounced structure and fruity intensity
Tasting notes:
Deep garnet red in color, with a nose of plums, cherries, vanilla, spice, and earth. Bright garnet red in color with a nose of plums, cherries, vanilla, spice and earthy. Med full body with moderate acidity. Silky texture with flavors of raspberries, jammy plum, cherry coca and spice that lingers on the palate. Mature for 12 months in med toasted oak and 20% in heavy toasted AM oak.
International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2018: Super aromas of vanilla custard and spiced red fruits. Lovely grip in the mouth of savory edged tannins with bright acidity. Vanilla spice comes through on the taste. Body is smooth and lush. There is a very long and generous finish. A lovely example.
Specs:
Low yielding trellised vineyards -grown and bottled on estate
Soil: subsoil mixed with topsoil of stone sand which ensures earthy red wine and silky tannins
Crossing between Cinsault and Pinot Noir
Pairing: spicy meats, grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, and aromatic cheese.
Price: $18.99

17. Pinot Menuier:
Identified as a close relative to PN before the 16th century
Where did the name come from?
Chimera Clone
Where is it grown?
Identified as a close relative to PN before the 16th century – didn’t have the full picture on the grape until many years later
Where did the name come from?
-It gets its cool name from the French word for can be identified by ampelographers by its indented leaves that appear downy white, like flour has been dusted liberally on the underside, and lightly on the upper side, of the leaf. The name "Meunier" comes from the French word for miller with many of the grapevine's synonyms also hearkening to this association-such as "Dusty Miller" which is used in England, "Farineaux" and "Noirin Enfariné" used in France as well as "Müllerrebe" and "Müller-Traube" used in Germany.
Chimera Clone
In groundbreaking research, Paul K. Boss and Mark R. Thomas of the CSIRO Plant Industry and Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture in Glen Osmond, Australia, found that Pinot Meunier has a mutation (VvGAI1) that stops it from responding to gibberellic acid, a plant growth hormone. This leads to different, white-haired, leaf and shoot growth, and also to a slight stunting in growth, explaining why Pinot Meunier plants tend to be a bit smaller than Pinot noir. The mutation exist only in the outermost cell layer of the cultivar, the L1 or 'epidermal' layer, meaning Pinot Meunier is a chimera. Through tissue culture, it is thus possible to separate out plants containing both the mutant (L1) and non-mutant (L2) genotypes, yielding a normal Pinot noir -like genotype and an unusual looking L1-genotype vine with compressed internodes and thickly clustered leaves. The mutants could not produce full-grown tendrils, it seems that gibberellic acid converts grapevine flower buds into tendrils.[2]
Where do you see PM?
Champagne, Germany, California, Oregon

18. Champagne:
Slightly more than 1/3 of the grapes grown in Champagne are PM
Chardonnay – crossing of Gouasis Blanc and Pinot Nor - brings high acidity, floral, fruit
Pinot Noir- greater body, structure, backbone, red fruit character
Pinot Meunier- clone – brings (late budding) fruity flavors to the blend and is important to wines that are made to be enjoyed young.

19. Darting Pinot Meunier Pfaltz 2016
Region:
Bad-Durkeim prime sites, planted on south facing slopes
Phaltz is the second largest growing region in Germany,
80 KM strip that extend north form the Alsace region of France
Vouge mts turn into Haardt mts.
it is the driest region of Germany suffering the same rain shadow effect as Alsace
Grape: 100% Pinot Meunier
Grape is also grown in Champagne, Germany, US, and Australia as a still red
History:
Vineyard history dates back to 1780, it was just in 1989 that winery began selling grapes under own wine label.
Winemaker Helmut Darting- believes in minimal interventions techniques. “every time you handle a wine, you diminish it”
Tasting notes: It has a light red color, with a touch of sediment, and a mild, pleasing aroma of red fruit and spice. It is a light-bodied wine, subtle and elegant in its presentation, with delicious flavors of cherry and cranberry, a mild spicy backbone and a hint of earthiness. Nice acidity, a lingering finish, and interesting. Overall, it was delicious.
Specs:
Soil marl and chalky limestone
Fermenting as slow as possible at cold temp in stainless steel, using only natural yeast
Avoid oxygen
Red fermented on the skins in stainless steel than transferred to large oak cask
Only time wine is handled is the first racking is to finish the wine by bottling
Preserve the character
Sustainable wine practice
10-20% new oak used
Is genetically a ‘chimera” its inner cell layers are composed of a Pinot genotype which is close to Pinot noir or pint Gris; the outer epidermal. Layer is however made up of a mutant, distinctive, genotype.
Pairing: lamb lollipops, pork, roast duck, mushrooms or gilled vegetables
Price: $26.99

20. Interesting facts about Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir gets its name from the French words for “black pine”
Pinot Noir is an often-used varietal grape in the production of Champagne.
Despite the difficulty in cultivation, Pinot Noir is among one of the most sought-after red wine varietals in the world.
Unlike many wines, Pinot Noir has the ability to age beautifully.
Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon has famously called Pinot Noir, “Sex in a glass.”
Five of the ten most expensive bottles of wine sold in 2016 were Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the 10th most planted grape in the world
In 2013 a case of 1978 Romanee-Conti sold for just shy of a half million dollars
International Pinot Noir Day is August 18

21. Maison Albert Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir Secret de Famille 2016
Region: Regional AOC of Burgundy
is a crafted from a blend of grape for all around the Cote d’Or region.
Chambolle-Musigny, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Grevrey-Chambertin, Marsannay
Treat these wines as “villages” where yields are restricted, and age is adapted for each wine
Moderate continental climate, rain can be a frequent hazard disrupting flowering in early summer and harvest in fall
1247 micro climates counted int eh Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits
Location is important in determining hierarchy / premier south facing slopes
Grape: %100 Pinot Noir
History:
Burgundy 34% PN and 48% Chardonnay
Bichot family dates back to Settling in Burgundy in 1350 in the fief of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois
1831 Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in his name in Monthelie.
Settled the family in the center of Beaune in 1912
Albert Bichot (born in 1900) specialized in international commerce in N America, Asia, Oceania recognized as one of the best wine lovers in the world for the time
2nd half of the 20th century the 4 sons Albert, Bernard, Benigne, and Jean-Marc developed a large cellar and bottle center and winery. And sold the wines all over the world.
Current generation, Alberic Bichot continues these efforts with conviction that quality wine comes from quality grapes. Currently the winery as 6 estate vineyards across burgundy.
Tasting notes: fruity aromas of black currant and wild red berries. Velvety and silky, boasts soft, balanced structure on the palate, which ends with a delicate finish reminiscent of red fruit.
Specs:
2016 spring was disrupted by climatic ups and downs, there was a wonder if anything would be produced – frost on April 26 damaged a considerable part of Burgundy’s production. But it also contributed to the flattering balance in the wines
Best enjoyed within 3-5 years of purchasing in order to appreciate all its fruitiness
Deep garnet color, dense floral aroma and flavors concentrated tannins that are smooth despite
Vintage was made to either lay down or enjoy young.
Calcareous clay and granite
Winemaking 50% in tank and 50% in barrels. 18 to 25 days
100% aged in oak barrels for 10 to 12 months/ 20% new oak
Pairing: roasted or gilled meats, poultry, vegetables and mild cheese
Price: $29.99

22. Cote d’Or of Burgundy
Over 100 little AOC in the Cotes de Or region of Burgundy

24. 810 Caroline St, Suite 101 |Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Rita@city-vino
810 Caroline St, Suite 101 |Fredericksburg, VA