Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir Wine - The king of red wines

Introduction: Pinot Noir red wines

This wine is, of course, just one of many exceptional Valais red wines featured in our collection. In addition to Pinot Noir, our online shop offers a wide variety of white wines, rosé wines, sparkling wines, and digestifs.

If you are looking for a gift, we recommend exploring our gift service, which includes a range of tasting boxes or a gift voucher that allows the recipient to choose freely from our online shop.

Key highlights

• Pinot Noir is one of the oldest and most important red wine grape varieties, often referred to as the "noble grape." Originating from Burgundy, France, it has been cultivated since the 4th century, earning Burgundy its reputation as the birthplace of Pinot Noir.
• This grape variety, also known as Blauburgunder, Spätburgunder, Schwarzburgunder, or Klevner, is grown worldwide. With nearly 87,000 hectares of vineyards, it ranks sixth among red grape varieties globally, following Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Syrah/Shiraz, and Garnacha Tinta.
• Thanks to its thin skin, Pinot Noir is considered a delicate and sensitive variety. It reacts strongly to different terroirs, meaning that even minor differences in soil composition or climate can significantly affect the quality of Pinot Noir wines.
• The Valais region, particularly around Salgesch, is home to some of the finest Pinot Noir terroirs. The soils in this area are highly calcareous, providing the ideal conditions for this grape. Pinot Noir dominates the region, with over 70% of the 203 hectares of vineyards in Salgesch dedicated to this variety.
• Salgesch is proud of its unique terroir and was the first municipality in Valais to introduce the "Grand Cru" label for Pinot Noir, a mark of quality assurance. Pinot Noir is also the most widely cultivated variety in Switzerland, with approximately 4,000 hectares of vineyards dedicated to it.

Origins and Importance of the Pinot Noir grape

Pinot Noir is believed to have originated in the region between Geneva, Switzerland, and Burgundy, France, where it gained international fame. This grape is considered a specialty and is one of the oldest known varieties, with a history dating back over 2,000 years.

The exact origins of Pinot Noir remain uncertain. Some suggest it may have resulted from a natural cross between Schwarzriesling and Traminer, while others believe it may descend almost directly from wild vines.

What is certain is that Pinot Noir’s global success began in Burgundy. Despite its preference for cool to moderate climates, which has earned it the reputation of being a "diva" among grape varieties, Pinot Noir is now cultivated in many countries, including France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Portugal, the USA, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. With about 87,000 hectares under cultivation, it is among the ten most important red wine grape varieties in the world.

The name "Pinot" likely derives from the elongated shape of its grape clusters, resembling a pine cone, known as "pin" in French. Meanwhile, the German term "Burgunder" references its arrival from Burgundy to Germany in the 18th century.

Characteristics of Pinot Noir grapes: Growth, ripening, and yield

Pinot Noir grapes are medium-sized, cone-shaped, and grow densely packed. They ripen relatively late in the season. High-quality red wines require early ripening sites with deep, warm, moderately heavy, and fertile soils that retain moisture well. Due to its thin skin, this frost-prone variety requires careful handling by winemakers.

The grape’s skin is rich in color pigments, which can produce wines with a deep hue when made using cold maceration, a modern vinification method. Aging Pinot Noir in oak barrels is less common, as it can overshadow its fruity character. Today, Pinot Noir is primarily vinified as a single-variety wine and is also one of the three main grapes used in Champagne production.

Flavor profile of Pinot Noir: Expressive aromas, moderate Tannins, and high acidity

Pinot Noir produces elegant, light red wines. Its aroma offers a bouquet of red fruits such as cherries, strawberries, and raspberries, along with floral, earthy, and sometimes spicy notes. Depending on the growing region, Pinot Noir wines can vary in style. Wines from Valais or Burgundy are often lighter in body with lower alcohol content, while those from overseas regions exhibit riper fruit flavors, higher alcohol, and a fuller body.

Pinot Noir and food pairing: The perfect matches

Pinot Noir is a versatile food wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. It complements poultry, veal, and pork, as well as Mediterranean pasta dishes and pizza. During summer, its light to medium body makes it enjoyable slightly chilled, pairing perfectly with roasted or braised meats.

Pinot Noir: Why wine lovers adore this grape

Whether it’s the enticing aroma of red fruits or its vibrant character, Pinot Noir captivates wine enthusiasts worldwide. When grown in the right terroir under ideal conditions and crafted by skilled winemakers, Pinot Noir produces wines of unparalleled quality with excellent aging potential.

While Diego Mathier offers every vintage in 50cl bottles on this online shop, Pinot Noir enthusiasts often prefer the 75cl bottles for better aging potential and enhanced drinking pleasure. Selected wines are also available in magnum bottles for an even more refined experience.

Our Pinot Noir recommendations

Rosé wines:

Oeil-dePerdrix La Matze AOC VS

Red wines:

Pinot Noir Nouveau Salquenen AOC VS

Pinot Noir Lucifer AOC VS

Pinot Noir Réserve de Salquenen AOC VS

Pinot Noir de Salquenen Réserve de la Famille AOC VS

Pinot Noir de Salquenen Non Filtré Oskar Mathier AOC VS

L’Ambassadeur de Diego Mathier Red AOC VS

Pinot Noir Petit Gigolo AOC VS

Pinot Noir Hospices de Salquenen AOC VS

Dessert wines:

Gemma Pinot Noir Saphir Vin Doux Naturel AOC VS

Sparkling wines:

Folie à Deux Brut, Gold Capsule, Vin Mousseux – Vin de Pays Suisse

Folie à Deux Demi-Sec, Silver Capsule, Vin Mousseux – Vin de Pays Suisse

Spirits:

Vieux Marc Barrique

Diego Mathier’s Pinot Noir wines are available in both 50cl and 75cl bottles. A wide selection of top-quality Pinot Noir wines, many of which are internationally awarded, can be found in our online shop.

Interesting facts about Pinot Noir

What is Pinot Noir?

Pinot Noir, known as Spätburgunder in Germany, is considered the country’s most important red wine grape.

Is Pinot Noir a light wine?

Pinot Noir thrives in cool to moderate climates. Depending on the region, it produces either light, fruity wines or fuller-bodied, more robust wines.

What is Pinot Noir called in Italy?

In Italy, Pinot Noir is known as Pinot Nero.

What is the difference between Pinot Noir and Blauburgunder?

Pinot Noir and Blauburgunder are the same grape variety, often praised as one of the best red wine grapes.

Is Pinot Noir always dry?

Pinot Noir wines are typically vinified dry, meaning all the sugar is converted to alcohol during fermentation.

Which Pinot Noir is the best?

Each wine region has its standout Pinot Noir. In Switzerland, Salgesch is considered the premier village for Pinot Noir. Diego Mathier’s "Ambassadeur de Diego Mathier AOC Valais" was recently crowned Gran Maestro at the Mondial des Pinots.