A Plethora of Pinots

The World’s Greatest Grape Variety

by DJ Kearney with David Scholefield

Pinotphiles know that the world can be neatly divided into two kinds of people. There are those who know that pinot noir is unquestionably the world's greatest grape, and there are the poor sods who haven't figured it out yet. Pinotphiles would claim that if wine is about pleasure, pinot noir is simply the best because pinot provides the greatest pleasure.

Of course, other grapes have merit. In a global grape smackdown, chardonnay would have its supporters. It's true that, like pinot noir, chardonnay produces great wines in both Burgundy and Champagne. It is undeniable that chardonnay is much more adaptable to New World habitats than pinot noir. But all chardonnay is white. Pinot produces rosé and white wine, as well as red. And in the end, pinot noir has an ace in the hole, a Darwinian advantage that ensures its dominance. It is an advantage that is ironic. Throughout its long history of cultivation, pinot noir has demonstrated a tendency to spontaneously mutate (or to "sport" in viticultural parlance). The result is that pinot noir has a posse of wingmen. It is a grape that has become a clan.

So, if we are seriously going to consider the "world's greatest grape" question, think of it this way: if we could have only one grape in the world, which one would we want have? Since all of the pinots are genetically identical, it would be no contest. And no one would lose an eye. There would be plenty of good wine to drink.

Hopefully, this guide to the pinot family will prove the point.

Find out more by following the links:

Pinot Noir
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Pinot Meunier
Pinotage