The Pinot Noir grape variety is known throughout the world. His predecessors have been mentioned since the 4th century in various documents. Wines from this variety are called Burgundy. They are mentioned in famous literary works, for example, in the novel “The Three Musketeers”, authored by Alexandre Dumas. Nowadays these wines are still highly valued due to their variety of flavors.
Origin story
The homeland of Pinot Noir is the province of Burgundy in France.DNA examinations were carried out, as a result of which it turned out that the parents of this grape are the Traminer variety and the Pinot Meunier clone.
Over time, Pinot Noir gained such popularity that it began to be grown in other countries on various continents. Because of this, new names began to appear. Despite the similarity, all samples grown in other countries were very different from the original in smell. This is explained by differences in soils and the sum of temperatures.
"Pinot Noir" is translated from French as black bud, which refers to the color and shape of the berries.
Description and characteristics of the variety
Pinot Noir is varied. All its clones have common characteristics, but the best alcoholic products are considered to be those made from the classic version.
External signs
Pinot Noir is distinguished by its leaves and grapes. The leaves look like this:
- The average size.
- Round shape.
- Wrinkles and small bubbles on the leaf plate.
- The presence of 3 or 5 blades, of which the central one is the largest.
- Deep or shallow side cuts.
- The upper cutouts are small, open or deep.
- There are no lower cutouts and may be open.
- The terminal teeth are in the shape of triangles with a rounded corner at the apex, their sides are convex.
- The teeth at the edges are sharp, convex.
- Weak drooping.
- The plate is cobwebby and bristly.
- In autumn, the green color gives way to yellow with bright red spots.
The clusters reach a length of 7-12 centimeters and a width of 5-8 centimeters; they are cylindrical and cylindrical-conical in shape with blades. The comb is lignified, very dense, reaches 4 centimeters in length. One bunch, on average, weighs 66-120 grams.
The winegrowers give the following description of the fruit:
- 14-16 millimeters in diameter.
- Average weight – 13 grams.
- The shape of a circle is sometimes close to an oval, but is often deformed.
- Dark blue color, close to black.
- The skin is thin but dense.
- The pulp is juicy.
- The juice is colorless.
- There are 2-3 seeds inside.
- The fruits are covered with a bluish coating.
Varietal features
The following varietal features are distinguished:
- Upright shoots.
- The seedlings are weak-growing, the bushes are medium-sized.
- The growing season is 140-150 days, subject to temperature conditions (sum of temperatures – 2800 °C).
- Fruit ripening occurs from the end of September.
- Bisexual flowers.
- Low yield - 50-60 centners per hectare. The maximum yield is 103 centners per hectare.
- The proportion of fruitful shoots is 60-90%.
- High frost resistance – up to -30 °C.
- Low resistance to spring frosts – down to -2*-3 °C.
- Low efficiency of replacement kidneys.
- Replacement buds damaged by frost are restored by the next season.
- The berries contain 19-25% sugar, acidity is 7-9 grams per liter.
- The load rate is 1-2 bunches on a branch.
In this grape variety, depending on certain factors, mutations are possible, leading to the appearance of clones and differences in shape, and fruit peas are also possible.
Features of agricultural technology
Pinot Noir should be planted on gentle slopes, avoiding plains and lowlands. Grapes require dry, calcareous soils.
It is recommended to plant bushes at a distance of 0.8 meters from each other, maintaining 1 meter between rows. The trellis should be 1-1.5 meters high.
The flavors of the grapes and the future wine depend on the temperature. The best option is a slight coolness; in extreme heat, the berries ripen quickly, but there are no fruity notes.
The quality of the fruit is determined by the load.To the detriment of the harvest, it is necessary to leave no more than 4 bunches on a branch, otherwise the taste characteristics will greatly deteriorate.
We recommend pruning to 7 eyes and infrequent watering.
Diseases and pests
Pinot Noir is resistant to oidium, mildew and gray rot; it is poorly resistant to phylloxera, however, grafting onto grapes with resistance will increase this indicator. When affected by this disease, the plant dies after 5-6 years.
Prevention is common - by pruning greenery, which increases the ventilation of the bush.
Slightly susceptible to pests.
Pinot Noir grapes are used to make high-quality wines and champagnes. It is rarely mixed with other varieties, since it itself opens up differently, giving the opportunity to experience different flavor notes.
