04/11/05 Pinot Noir, Part one

Welcome to Vine to Wine I'm your host Linda Moran and today we're going to begin a week long series exploring Pinot Noir and its relatives. Pinot Noir; is a fussy little grape that makes winemakers and consumers alike moan with anything from extreme frustration to extreme pleasure. The Pinot Noir grape, is one of the oldest known grapes, to be made into wine. Its growth can be rather unpredictable illustrated by the fact that, it is estimated that, there are as many as 11,000 genetic mutations of Pinot Noir throughout the world. Two of the most well known are Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. The Pinot Noir grape is grown in many parts of the world but nowhere has contributed more to its reputation than Burgundy France. Great burgundies, which are made from Pinot Noir, will leave a lasting memory to the wine lover who experiences them. Pinot Noir can be one of the most seductive wines in the world during good vintage years and equally as disappointing in an off year. Pinot Noir is most identifiable, especially when young, by its wonderful aroma of violets and rose petals and flavors of fruits like strawberry, cherry and raspberry. One of Pinot Noirs most impressive roles is in the making of Champagne. It is one of the primary grapes used to make those fabulous effervescent wines. Tune in tomorrow as on Vine to Wine we continue our series on Pinot Noir and its relatives.