written by team member Danielle
Uncover the fascinating world of Pinot Noir with these six essential facts. This beloved red grape, known for its elegance and complexity, has a storied past and a vibrant presence in vineyards worldwide, making it a favourite among wine lovers.
1. Whilst its spiritual home is in the Burgundy region of France, it is also planted in Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, The Republic of Georgia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Hungary, Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, New Zealand, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States, and Uruguay!
2. It is a very old grape variety, dating back over 2000 years and thought to have been enjoyed by the Romans.
3. It is a tricky grape to grow as the thin skins and tightly packed bunches make it susceptible to disease.
4. Pinot Noir is the backbone of many Champagnes – it represents just under 40% of the vineyard area.
5. It is the second most planted variety in New Zealand, after Sauvignon Blanc, covering approximately 5,642 hectares.
6. There are different styles of Pinot Noir, mainly due to where it is grown. From richer, fruit-driven wines to more structured and savoury, or aromatic and light.
Want to taste some fabulous Pinot Noir? You can!
An Evening with Folding Hill
Friday 17th October, 7pm
Market Place Store, Oundle
£15 per person
We are very excited to have Tim Kerruish, owner of Folding Hill in New Zealand’s Central Otago region, come to Oundle and present his stunning wines. Tim and his wife Nikki, both doctors, moved to New Zealand from the UK, and as all natives do they decided they needed a batch (a holiday home). They found a beautiful site in Central Otago with just sheep grazing the land. Having built a hut on the land they noticed vines being planted on the neighbouring land, so had their soil tested and were told it will produce great Pinot Noir. Vines were planted and the great adventure started…
Philip Amps: “Over the last twenty years I have been lucky to visit the family on three occasions and see the vines mature. The tractor hut has been replaced by a beautiful house and the final piece of the jigsaw is that they are about to build their own winery on site. The wines are fabulous… come and taste and you will see why Pinot Noir from NZ is getting all the wine writers hugely excited!”
*Featured photo credit New Zealand Winegrowers Inc, [Nautilus]
