VUE

As complex as pinot noir tastes, its intricacies extend far beyond notable flavor profiles and favorable food pairings. While infamous for its extremely temperamental growing process, which is due in large part to its thin skin and cool climate dependency, pinot noir's increased popularity in recent years can be attributed to a surge in production around the world. In comparison to other grapes, pinot noir has a high level of transparency, allowing it the unique ability to reflect its terroir—the environment in which the grapes are produced. Factors such as soil type, climate and topography greatly influence its final hue, aroma and depth of flavor, which explains the immense variation in pinot noir from region to region. Up until the 19th century, pinot noir was grown exclusively in Europe and to this day, is still found in its largest capacity in France. However, more and more vintners from all over the globe have taken on the challenge of growing such an arduous grape because at its best, it can capture an area's culture, geography, history and agriculture in just one sip. BURGUNDY For hundreds of years, France has been known as the birthplace of pinot noir, specifically the historic region of Burgundy. Its native limestone soil is a distinctive characteristic in identifying a Burgundian pinot noir, leaving the wine with a more savory and mineralized taste. The climate can be described as moderate continental with warm summers and cold winters, and precipitation ranging from rain, hail and frost at any time during the growing season. The majority of Burgundy's pinot noir comes from the Côte d'Or, an elongated limestone slope which produces over 11,000 acres of the pinot noir varietal. The Côte d'Or can be split into two separate hills, the Côte de Nuits to the north and the Côte de Beaune to the south. The heightened elevation from each slope is what allows grapes that are at the top to receive just the right amount of sunlight and proper drainage, creating some of the finest and most expensive pinot noirs in the world. While the flavor and quality can vary drastically according to each village, the smallest variance in soil can make all the difference, as well as when the grapes were actually harvested. Pinot noirs from Burgundy are oftentimes built to age, resulting in a wine that's more acidic with a lower alcohol content than most. Pinot Noir A R O U N D T H E W O R L D B Y A B B Y M O N T A N E Z VUE ON TRAVEL V U E N J . C O M 104

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