Pinot Noir Précoce
Encyclopedia
Pinot noir précoce or, as it is called in parts of Germany, Frühburgunder is a dark, blue-black, -skinned, variety of grape
used for wine
, and is a form or mutation of Pinot noir
which differs essentially by ripening earlier than normal (thus the use of the descriptive nomination 'précoce'). Whilst sometimes treated as a separate grape variety by ampelographers
, there are nevertheless those who consider it is simply an early ripening form of Pinot Noir, and in some cases Pinot noir précoce wines may therefore be found straightforwardly labelled "Pinot Noir".
As it seems highly likely that Pinot noir précoce is simply a natural early ripening mutation of Pinot noir, it is extremely likely to have occurred and been selected and specially cultivated in many different Pinot growing regions (e.g., Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, Loire, and throughout many older German vineyards) on many separate occasions throughout the long history of Pinot noir cultivation in Europe.
Wines from Pinot Noir Précoce are closely similar to, if not indistinguishable from, those of Pinot noir, and it is far from clear that anything distinguishes its wines other than oenological characters resulting from its early ripening (e.g., relatively fuller flavour development, lower acidity, and the like).
. Up until the early 20th century, it was one of the most grown varieties in the Ahr
region, but then declined to only 15 hectares (37.1 acre) in the 1960s, and was on the verge of becoming exitinct due to problems of vine diseases. In the 1970s, the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute
took an interest in it, and began selecting virus-free clones suitable for propagation. The variety has thereafter had a modest revival in Germany, and in 2008 plantations stood at 252 hectares (622.7 acre). It also attracts some interest in new regions characterised by cold climate viticulture.
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
used for wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
, and is a form or mutation of Pinot noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
which differs essentially by ripening earlier than normal (thus the use of the descriptive nomination 'précoce'). Whilst sometimes treated as a separate grape variety by ampelographers
Ampelography
Ampelography is the field of botany concerned with the identification and classification of grapevines, Vitis spp. Traditionally this has been done by comparing the shape and colour of the vine leaves and grape berries; more recently the study of vines has been revolutionised by DNA...
, there are nevertheless those who consider it is simply an early ripening form of Pinot Noir, and in some cases Pinot noir précoce wines may therefore be found straightforwardly labelled "Pinot Noir".
As it seems highly likely that Pinot noir précoce is simply a natural early ripening mutation of Pinot noir, it is extremely likely to have occurred and been selected and specially cultivated in many different Pinot growing regions (e.g., Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, Loire, and throughout many older German vineyards) on many separate occasions throughout the long history of Pinot noir cultivation in Europe.
Wines from Pinot Noir Précoce are closely similar to, if not indistinguishable from, those of Pinot noir, and it is far from clear that anything distinguishes its wines other than oenological characters resulting from its early ripening (e.g., relatively fuller flavour development, lower acidity, and the like).
Geographical distribution
The early ripening of Pinot Noir Précoce means that it is primarily popular in colder wine regions, and most of the current plantations are found in GermanyGerman wine
German wine is primarily produced in the west of Germany, along the river Rhine and its tributaries, with the oldest plantations going back to the Roman era. Approximately 60 percent of the German wine production is situated in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, where 6 of the 13 regions ...
. Up until the early 20th century, it was one of the most grown varieties in the Ahr
Ahr (wine region)
Ahr is a wine region for quality wine in Germany, and is located in the valley of the river Ahr, a tributary of Rhine, and is situated in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. With only of vines as of 2008, it is one of smaller of Germany's 13 regions...
region, but then declined to only 15 hectares (37.1 acre) in the 1960s, and was on the verge of becoming exitinct due to problems of vine diseases. In the 1970s, the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute
Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute
The Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute was founded in 1872 and is located in Geisenheim, Rheingau, Germany. In 1876 professor Hermann Müller from Switzerland joined the institution, where he developed his namesake variety Müller-Thurgau , which became the most planted grape variety in Germany in...
took an interest in it, and began selecting virus-free clones suitable for propagation. The variety has thereafter had a modest revival in Germany, and in 2008 plantations stood at 252 hectares (622.7 acre). It also attracts some interest in new regions characterised by cold climate viticulture.