September’s Varietal Hour was all about Pinots. Well almost. Of course, the French grapes; Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Meunier, as well as the Italian grape, Pinot Grigio, were all discussed.
But what about the lesser known or even obsolete Pinot-X grape names? What about a Pinot grape that was bred specifically for one country or a Pinot grape that really wasn’t a Pinot grape? Test your knowledge as we go.
In 1924, at South Africa’s University of Stellenbosch a viticulture professor crossed two French varietals, one more robust with one more difficult to grow, to create a unique grape that would thrive in South Africa’s climate.
- True
- False
ANSWER: True. Professor Abraham Perold performed an open-air hybridization in the vineyard and not in a controlled greenhouse.
Which two French grapes did Professor Perold cross?
a) Pinot Noir and Merlot
b) Pinot Noir and Malbec
c) Pinot Noir and Cinsaut
d) Pinot Noir and Gamay Noir
ANSWER: C. Pinot Noir with Cinsaut or Cinsault, a red grape that is heat tolerant and grown predominantly in the Rhone Valley, Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence regions of Southern France.
Cinsault is one of the 13 approved grapes allowed to be used to make Chateauneuf du Pape wine.
- True
- False
ANSWER: True. Cinsault is a minor blending grape along with predominately Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre for red wine in the Southern Rhone region.
The grape, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, was named PINOTAGE. Why?
a) Because Professor Perold wanted it to be a heritage grape of South Africa
b) Because an old South African name for Cinsaut was Hermitage
c) Because it took several stages to propagate
d) Because they didn’t like the name Herminoir
ANSWER: B and D. When the Cinsault grape originally arrived from France in the 1850’s it was misnamed as Hermitage. And yes, they discarded Herminoir!
Although Pinotage has failed to develop a significant presence in planted acreage, how many countries currently have Pinotage in their vineyards other than South Africa?
a) 2
b) 4
c) 6
d) 8
ANSWER: D. Eight very diverse countries are growing Pinotage: Brazil, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Switzerland, U.S. (Arizona, California, Michigan, Oregon, Virginia and Washington) and Zimbabwe.
Every grape seems to have its day. On May 17 it’s Pinot Grigio Day; Aug. 18 is International Pinot Noir Day; and Dec. 16 is Pinot Meunier Day. Does Pinotage have a day?
a) Yes
b) No
ANSWER: Yes. International Pinotage Day is Oct. 12. Hope you didn’t miss it this year!
Now what about that obsolete Pinot grape?
In the 1880s and 1890s red French grapes were being planted in California and used to make wines sold as “Burgundy.” Pinot’s many synonyms caused a great deal of confusion when it came to naming the grapes being used to make the wine.
Which of these names were used as Pinot Noir synonyms in California vineyards?
a) Pinot Franc
b) Pinot Pernand
c) Pinot Noirien
d) Pinot St George
e) All of the above
ANSWER: E. Although three of these grape names are for true Pinot Noir Clones, one turned out later not to be a Pinot Noir Clone.
In 1997, it was determined through DNA testing that a California grape, believed to be a Pinot Noir clone was actually a grape from southwestern France, known as Negrette. In the same year the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) ruled that Negrette could no longer be called by what name?
a) Pinot France
b) Pinot Pernand
c) Pinot Noirien
d) Pinot St George
ANSWER: D. The name Pinot St George was originally used because it was believed that the grape came from the Nuits-St-George region of Burgundy.
The Negrette grape, although very rare, is from the French region of Frontonnais near Toulouse. Its origin is not known and genetic studies have not been able to determine a source, but legend has it that it was brought to France from the Near East by the Knights Templar.
a) True
b) False
c) Perhaps
ANSWER: C. Who knows? It’s a legend!
Negrette is rare not only in France but also California. But a few acres of Negrette can be found in which California county?
a) San Luis Obispo
b) Monterey
c) San Benito
d) Santa Cruz
ANSWER: C. The only two wineries I could find that make a Negrette wine are both in San Benito County—Stirm Wine Co. and DeRose Winery.
If it’s a Pinot cross, bred for a country or a Pinot that isn’t a Pinot, don’t get confused. No matter what it’s called, when you find one you like just open it and enjoy! Cheers!
—CL Keedy, Wine Education Committee