Level 2 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
Pinot Noir
The most demanding red grape — Burgundy, New Zealand, Oregon.
Topics covered
- Burgundy appellations
- New World expressions
- Winemaking for Pinot
- Flavour profile
Level 2 Study Guide
Bordeaux-Style Reds
Quick Revision
- Light-medium body, low-medium tannin, high acid
- Red cherry, raspberry, strawberry
- Ages to: forest floor, mushroom, game
- Burgundy: Côte d'Or (Nuits/Beaune)
- New World: Oregon, NZ, California
- Thin skins = susceptible to disease
Key Facts for the Exam
- Light to medium body, low-medium tannin, high acidity; red cherry, raspberry, strawberry aromas
- Burgundy (Côte de Nuits: Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges; Côte de Beaune: Pommard)
- New World: Oregon (Willamette Valley), New Zealand (Marlborough, Central Otago), California (Carneros)
- Thin skins = low tannin and susceptibility to disease; demanding to grow
- With age develops earthy, forest floor, mushroom, and game notes (Burgundian style)
- Oak use: mostly old, large oak in Burgundy; some new oak in New World for added structure
Level 2 Exam Tips
- 1.Pinot Noir = low tannin, high acidity. Always contrast it with Cabernet Sauvignon (opposite).
- 2.Burgundy is THE classic Pinot Noir region — Côte d'Or sub-regions are commonly tested.
- 3.New World Pinot Noir tends to be riper and more fruit-forward versus Burgundy's earthy complexity.
- 4.Thin skins = difficult to grow = explains why Pinot Noir is expensive and climate-sensitive.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Describing Pinot Noir as full-bodied — it is characteristically light to medium body
- ✗Forgetting that old Burgundy develops earthy/mushroom notes (tertiary aromas, not faults)
- ✗Confusing Côte de Nuits (mainly red Pinot Noir) with Côte de Beaune (more whites and lighter reds)
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Burgundy red wine so expensive?
- Burgundy prices reflect a combination of tiny supply and global demand. The Côte d'Or has limited vineyard land, Pinot Noir is difficult to grow, and the classification system (Grand Cru, Premier Cru) creates a hierarchy with tiny production volumes at the top. Top estates sell wines that are highly sought after by collectors worldwide.
- How does New World Pinot Noir differ from Burgundy?
- New World Pinot Noirs (from Oregon, New Zealand, and California) tend to be riper, more fruit-forward, and more immediately approachable than Burgundy. They show more intense red fruit and often more prominent oak. Burgundy Pinot Noir typically has more earthy complexity, subtler fruit, and greater mineral expression from the limestone soils.