The Many Faces of Pinot

How many Pinot's are there? If you have ever ventured into the best aisle in the grocery store (wine aisle), you have probably caught on that there are a few different colors that Pinot showcases. Let's talk about one of my favorite varietals of all time, shall we?

There are many mutations that Pinot has evolved to, the most popular are: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris (Grigio), Pinot Blanc, Pinot Munier. They aren't just related to one another, they all share the exact same DNA showing that they are all the same grape!

Pinot is one of the only grape varietals that can make a sparkling, white, rosé, and a red wine. 

There are 6 mutations of Pinot to note:

Pinot Noir: A hard-to-grow black wine grape with green flesh that originated around Burgundy.
Pinot Gris: A pink-skinned wine grape that produces white wines to rosé-colored wines.
Pinot Blanc: A white grape that often has been confused with Chardonnay.
Pinot Meunier: A black-skinned grape that ripens a bit earlier than Pinot Noir and is mostly used in Champagne.
Pinot Teinturier: A black-skinned grape with red flesh that was observed in vineyards periodically over the last 100 years.
Pinot Noir Précoce: A mutation of Pinot Noir that ripens 2 weeks earlier than regular Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir is one of the most sought after grape varietals in the world, being known for being a perfect example of the terroir of the region. Because of it's delicate skins and vibrant aromas, the flavors and aromas compliment the region in which it's grown.

If you try a Pinot from every country, after a while, you will be able to identify where the grape was grown. Don't believe me? Try it!

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are also the same grape, just named differently due to the country! Pinot Grigio is from Italy whereas Pinot Gris is from France. 

It truely is one of the most fascinating grape varieties there is, with so many variations and different flavor profiles in each country. So, drink up and cheers to evolution!