Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a real princess, but he traveled all over the world and couldn't find it. Later, on a stormy night, a beautiful girl with a dirty body came to the city gate and said that she was a real princess. To find out if she was, the old queen put a pea on the bed, took out 20 mattresses and 20 duck down duvets, and pressed them on the peas. The princess slept on it at night. When she woke up the next day, the princess complained that she hadn't slept well all night, and she always felt that something very hard was sticking to her. The prince was very happy to hear this, because he had finally found a real princess.
- "Princess Pea"
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale is believed to be heard by many people, and after so many layers of bedding, you can actually feel the peas, and no one except a real princess will have such delicate skin.
But today we are not talking about fairy tales.
In fact, there is also such a "pea princess" in the wine circle, her name is Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir is more fragile, susceptible to mold infection, genetic mutations, etc., so Chinese like to compare Pinot Noir to the "Lin Daiyu" in grape varieties.
As Mr. Lu Xun said: "Although Lin Daiyu is beautiful, it is a kind of morbid beauty." In the eyes of the editor, Pinot Noir is more like a pampered princess.
Yes, if there is any grape variety in the world with a princess aura, it must be Pinot Noir. In addition to the need for careful care like a princess, it can also bring you a princess-like elegant beauty and proud taste.
In the past, princesses were not in vain, and it seemed that every princess was not only born beautiful, but also proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. Yes, pinot Noir is the same: dry red, dry white, pink, sparkling wine, Pinot Noir seems to be omnipotent, like a very talented and versatile princess...
More importantly, like the Princess Pea, Pinot Noir is a very sensitive grape that reflects very subtle climatic or terroir changes, and different soil compositions, sunshine intensities, and microclimates in different vineyards are reflected in wine.
Therefore, Pinot Noir is like a princess, who picks her mother's family when she is born and marries her mother-in-law!
Burgundy is Pinot Noir's mother's house
Pinot Noir is a very old grape variety, the exact origin of which has always been unknown, although Burgundy is widely believed to be Pinot Noir's mother.
(1) It can be said that the reputations of Burgundy and Pinot Noir complement each other.
When it comes to Pinot Noir, the first thing that comes to mind is Burgundy, and vice versa!
Although in recent years, Burgundy wines have become more and more popular in the market due to the low production of Burgundy wines and the higher prices. But a few years ago, Burgundy's reputation was not as loud as it is today, and Chinese generally knew only Bordeaux and Cabernet Sauvignon.
If Cabernet Sauvignon is the "king of red grape varieties", then Pinot Noir is the absolute "after the red grape varieties", one charm lies in its strong taste enjoyment, and the other charm lies in its silky elegant taste.
With the popularity of Burgundy wines, the high quality of Pinot Noir has become more and more sought after, and in turn, Burgundy is becoming more and more trusted by consumers (forming a virtuous circle).
However, in the eyes of the Burgundians, they did not produce Pinot Noir wines, which they used to communicate and dialogue with the local geography and vineyard terroir.
(2) Yes, the Burgundy winegrowers were almost invincible in their grasp of the terroir.
It's no accident that Bordeaux wines are graded by wineries and Burgundy wines are graded by vineyards!
Romani Conti Grand Park
Pinot Noir is naturally keen, and the terroir of a vineyard in a region is known to all kinds of Pinot Noir. Subtle climate change, different soil proportions, how strong the sunshine is... All of this will be reflected in the wine.
There is no doubt that Burgundy is the most suitable region for Pinot Noir to grow. Burgundy Pinot Noir is able to express the subtle characteristics of the terroir to the fullest, which is unmatched by any appellation.
For example, in the Grand Garden and the First Class Garden in Burgundy, why are the wines here more expensive than the ordinary Pinot Noir?
The most important thing to ignore is the terroir!
(3) Also can not be ignored, of course, there are also producers and their brewing process!
Burgundy is home to the most expensive wines, and the 10 most expensive red wines in the world are all Burgundy Pinot Noir, all of them, you read that right!
Among them, the most important thing to mention is of course the well-known Romani Kande (DRC), as well as Domaine Leroy, Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier, Domaine Faiveley and so on have always been the most expensive regulars on the list.
Unfortunately, Burgundy wines are inherently expensive, and the products from these wineries are even more expensive. It can be said that they are carnivals that belong only to a few people.
In fact, in Burgundy, there are many options for drinking and not expensive.
Drink all over Burgundy and there's a winery that can do it, and that's Louis de Saint Bonnet. The winery produces a very comprehensive range of wines, from the Chablis appellation in the north to the Magung appellation in the south, up to the Burgundy Grand Garden, down to the Burgundy region, and there are wines of all price points! What's more, the winery is the brand of the largest wine merchant in Burgundy and is able to provide the winery with sufficient funds to add equipment and improve technology.
Big brands should be there, small and beautiful can not be ignored! Located in the Mercure-producing village of Mercure, Cote Chalonnaise, Burgundy, the Maison L. Tramier et Fils winery offers very good value for money.
The shortlist is announced below:
French Champagne
Germany
New Zealand
United States
Chile
Australia
……
Champagne region: The most powerful candidate in-laws in mainland France
Pinot Noir is suitable for cultivation in cooler regions, and Champagne in northern Burgundy is naturally one of the ideal sources.
Champagne is a special Pinot Noir appellation, where Pinot Noir is not used to make red wine, but to make white wine, and it is a white sparkling wine.
Although most of the time, Pinot Noir is blended with Chardonnay and Monier Pino, Pinot Noir basically defines the tone and essence of the whole champagne, making the champagne more thick and deep. Of course, Pinot Noir can also be used to brew champagne alone, which is generally called Blanc de Noirs (black and white champagne), and pink champagne is naturally indispensable to Pinot Noir' credit.
No matter how much it is, it will eventually be implemented on the producer.
In China, champagne has always been the most familiar type of sparkling wine for mass consumers, and many big brands are familiar with it:
Among them, Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon and Louis Roederer are well known in the Chinese market.
However, when it comes to Pinot Noir black and white champagne, a series of champagne brands led by Bollinger are more worth trying, especially the Vieilles Vignes Francaises (Vieilles Vignes Francaises) is extremely classic.
Big brands must be there, and small farmer champagne cannot be ignored!
Egly Ouriet is the top example of smallholder champagne, producing wines that often have a hint of aged yeast, smooth, soft and dry, reminiscent of Burgundy.
The Champagne produced by Paul Louis Martin is recognized as one of the most representative of the terroir of the village of Bouz, which is the highest-grade grape grand village in the Champagne region.
Germany: The most powerful European candidate outside of France
Germany is located in the northeast of France and has a relatively cooler climate. Some people have questioned whether Germany is so cold that it can produce good Pinot Noir?
Prejudice is sometimes terrible. Just like idol singers are criticized for singing, actors with high looks are spat on for their acting skills, and The German Pinot Noir has also endured such prejudices for many years. But this is not the case!
(1) In recent years, The German Pinot Noir is also a big trend
Decanter once hosted a blind tasting party for Pinot Noir, in addition to Burgundy, more than 80 wines from well-known wineries in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States participated, and the winner was the German Pinot Noir!
WSET, an internationally authoritative wine education institution, also said that in addition to France, Germany is the best Pinot Noir appellation in Europe.
Currently, Germany is the 3rd largest Pinot Noir producer in the world, after France and the United States. By 2013, Pinot Noir accounted for 12% of the total area under cultivation in Germany, and Pinot Noir in a single region in southern Baden alone surpassed Australia and New Zealand!
And in Germany, Pinot Noir is even used to brew dry white in addition to brewing dry infrared!
German Pinot Noir dry white
PS, Pinot Noir also has its own name in Germany - Spatburgunder. Looks hard to remember? In fact, spa means late ripening, burgunder means Burgundy, which means that it is a late ripening grape variety from Burgundy, so is it much easier?
(2) The German Pinot Noir is a school of its own
In fact, Pinot Noir's performance in Germany is self-contained, as described by a wine friend: "Compared with Burgundy, The German Pinot Noir is more gorgeous, but there are quiet and reserved old world characteristics in the bones and blood, and at the same time there is a deep mineral sense rare in the new world."
However, this is only a rough description of Pinot Noir, Germany, and more styles will be derived from different appellations and wineries. In general, Germany's boutique Pinot Noir production is very small, and Germany's domestic demand is greater than supply, so there are not many exports, and the price is not cheap.
(3) German Pinot Noir classic appellations and representative wineries
Germany is generally cold, most Pinot Noir is planted in warmer places, such as Baden and Pfalz in the south, but Rheingau in the center and even Ahr in the north are also one of the most well-known Pinot Noir regions in Germany.
It was mentioned earlier that the pinot Noir wines from the classic appellations such as Burgundy were beaten by the Pinot Noir wines such as Burgundy in the Mellow Book of Alcohol, and it was Jean Stodden Spatburgunder Alte Reben from the Aljon Stodden Winery.
In addition, Weingut Okonomierat Rebholz, Dr Heger and Kunstler are among the rare German producers of fine Pinot Noir.
The momentum and high unit price of New Zealand Pinot Noir is one of the most powerful candidates for the top position
Admittedly, Burgundy Pinot Noir is in front of it and is difficult to surpass. But It took New Zealand Pinot Noir only two or three decades to become famous in the world.
Pinot Noir's success in New Zealand is largely due to its cool climate, which allows it to produce an elegant and pure flavor that no other New World country can replicate.
Today's New Zealand Pinot Noir no longer simply pursues fresh and rich fruity tastes, but consciously reduces the use of peel impregnation and oak barrels, so that wine can more express its regional characteristics. Since then, the style of Pinot Noir in New Zealand is no longer single, but very diverse.
(1) Marlborough: The highest production of Pinot Noir wine in New Zealand. Obviously, the fame of this appellation Pinot Noir has been overshadowed by Sauvignon Blanc, but it cannot hide the fact that Marburg Pinot Noir is of excellent quality.
Representative wineries: Cloudy Bay, Villa Maria Estate
(2) Central Otago: New Zealand's most important Pinot Noir appellation. If Marlborough's Pinot Noir is feminine, then Central Otago is masculine and solid masculine, broader in both taste and aroma.
Representative wineries: Felton Road, Mt Difficulty
(3) Wairarapa Martinborough: Wairarapa is New Zealand's 3rd largest Pinot Noir growing area, with Martinborough being its most famous sub-producing area. Martinborough's Pinot Noir is considered to be the most Burgundy Pinot Noir, with a style between Marburg and Central Otago, with a mixture of red and black fruits, a certain sense of structure, but not as solid as the Central Otague, and a fine mineral sense.
Representative wineries: Escarpment, Murdoch James
(4) Others: Canterbury is New Zealand's 4th largest Pinot Noir appellation, and Nelson is a small appellation west of Marlborough, but Pinot Noir performs well here.
After "A Glass of Wine Life", the United States has also become one of the most competitive candidates for the Pinot Noir family
The United States is the second largest Pinot Noir country after France, and after the Hollywood movie "Sideways" aired, Pinot Noir cultivation in California skyrocketed, especially in Sonoma, Monterey and Carneros.
Among them, Pinot Noir cultivation in the Sonoma Coast and Russian river valleys even threatens the local old vine fairy pink (Zinfandel).
Sonoma Pinot Noir is generally aged in oak barrels, with a mellow taste, full structure, and a rich black berry flavor, although the alcohol content is generally higher than that of Burgundy Pinot Noir.
Oregon is known as the best Pinot Noir region in the United States, and the Pinot Noir wine produced here is often compared with Burgundy, so it is also known as the "Golden Hill of America".
Oregon's overall climate is relatively cool, and there is less rainfall in the summer, so it is suitable for the growth and prosperity of Pinot Noir.
The Willamette Valley is Oregon's largest Pinot Noir AVA region, and the six largest sub-regions produce Pinot Noir in a variety of styles. Overall, however, Pinot Noir oregon is known for its delicate taste and fruity aroma.
Chile, Australia... The slightly weaker but not negligible Pinot Noir candidate in-laws
Chile's influence by southern ocean currents and foggy climate makes it more suitable for pinot noir than neighboring Argentina. The Casablanca Valley is particularly cool, and Pinot Noir wines often have aromas such as raspberries and red cherries.
Although Australia is the mecca of Shiraz, the diverse climate also makes Pinot Noir an ideal habitat here. In fact, the Pinot Noir style in Australia is even richer and more diverse than in New Zealand.
Among them, the Yarra Valley from Victoria is one of the coolest wine regions in the world, providing ideal conditions for pinot Noir to grow, where Pinot Noir wines exhibit a rich taste characteristic.
The so-called life is short, good wine is difficult to find, to drink to drink some good! Mother's home must have, but there are so many in-laws, you can not pick the eyes!