If you have ever drunk wine, you have probably heard of Pinot Noir already. It is one of the most ancient grape varieties and is planted all around the world. Sometimes you need a couple of years to start appreciating this grape, but if you find the right style, I am sure you will fall in love with it. Today I would like to help you find the right style, if you haven’t found it yet, and show you the differences between Old World vs New World Pinot Noir.
What is Pinot Noir?
First of all, let’s get to know the variety itself. Pinot Noir is a red wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera, the species most commonly used for winemaking.
Its home is Burgundy (Bourgogne) in France, just south of Dijon. Its favourite soil type is limestone-rich, chalky clay and, because it is an early-ripening grape, it prefers intermediate climates with long, cool growing seasons.
Pinot Noir has a thin skin, which means that wines made from it tend to be lighter in body and lower in tannins, as there is less tannin in the skin than in varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape’s skin is also lighter in colour, giving Pinot Noir its characteristic pale colour in the glass.
Of course, as the wine ages — and some Pinot Noirs can age for 20 years or more — the colour can become darker and more garnet-like.
To summarise, Pinot Noir wines are generally lighter in body, lower in tannins and characterised by red fruit flavours. They also tend to express the soil and terroir where they are grown, both on the nose and palate.
Old World Pinot Noir is generally more delicate, acidic and earthy. Of course, winemakers use different techniques in different regions, which can significantly influence the characteristics of the finished wine.
Old World vs New World Pinot Noir: climate
One of the main differences between Old World and New World Pinot Noir is the climate.
In the Old World, Pinot Noir is mainly planted in cool-climate regions such as Burgundy, Champagne, Germany, England and northern Italy. In the New World, it is also found in slightly warmer regions — although this does not mean genuinely warm or hot climates, as Pinot Noir is extremely fussy about temperature — such as California, Australia, northern New Zealand and Argentina.
Altitude can also play a huge role in some regions, helping producers retain acidity in the grapes even when temperatures are higher.
Winemaking differences between Old World and New World Pinot Noir
Climate is only part of the story. Winemaking choices also contribute significantly to the differences between Old World and New World Pinot Noir.
Blending Pinot Noir
In the Old World, Pinot Noir is usually not blended with other grape varieties in order to preserve the variety’s pure flavours.
In the New World, Pinot Noir is occasionally blended with other grapes to balance its bright fruit and give the wines greater concentration and complexity. However, we have to be careful because this is not always stated clearly on the label. In some regions, including California, a wine containing at least 75% Pinot Noir does not necessarily have to list the other grape varieties on the label.
Oak ageing and Pinot Noir
Old World winemakers generally use less oak influence than New World producers. This can mean spending less time in oak barrels or using barrels that have already been used two or three times.
New World Pinot Noir can tend towards a more pronounced oak influence, often using French and sometimes American oak barrels. This can add flavours such as vanilla, toast and baking spices.
Natural yeast vs cultured yeast
Another important factor is the yeast chosen for fermentation.
Old World producers traditionally make greater use of natural or wild yeasts, which can contribute earthy aromas and additional complexity. By comparison, many New World Pinot Noir producers use cultured yeasts, which can emphasise fruitiness and clean, consistent aromatics.
The end result can therefore be a noticeably different style of wine.
For example, in Burgundy many fine winemakers choose to ferment with whole grape clusters to increase tannin in their wines. This can result in some bitterness when the wine is young, but the additional structure can also help the wines develop and age for more than 20 years in bottle.
Tasting Old World vs New World Pinot Noir
When tasting these wines, we can also see differences in acidity, tannin structure and alcohol level.
Old World Pinot Noir generally has firmer tannins and a more tart, earthy character, particularly in its youth, with lower alcohol levels of around 12–13% ABV.
New World Pinot Noir tends to be more approachable within the first few years after release because the tannins are softer and the acidity is often lower. Alcohol levels are generally higher, around 13–14% ABV, although some wines can reach 15%.
Is Old World or New World Pinot Noir better?
As you can see, there are many factors and aspects that can result in a different style of Pinot Noir. Although the differences I have mentioned are generally true, a great deal depends on the winemaker and wine region.
That means you can still find a more Burgundy-style Pinot Noir in New Zealand, for example, just as producers in the Old World can make wines with a richer, more modern character.
And if I may share my opinion, this is the beauty of the wine world: everyone can find their preference in every corner of the planet.
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