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Article: America's hope for quality Pinot Noir rests with Oregon
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- August 6, 1987
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright (null) Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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Pinot Noir is the most difficult grape to grow, say most
winemakers from around the world. Even experts in Burgundy who
produce the most exquisite and often ultra-expensive Pinot Noir often
are racked with despair after a poor harvest.
Fragile, mercurial and demanding, Pinot Noir may be the oldest
cultivated grape. It buds and ripens early. If left too long on the
vine in an effort to produce a more complex wine, the grape can rot.
Spring frosts can drastically stunt secondary growth. The grape vine
is unstable. It mutates easily and can die young, requiring frequent
replanting. Moreover, Pinot Noir is susceptible to numerous viruses.
In Vines, Grapes and Wines, author Jancis Robinson ...