Bourgogne (Burgundy) versus New World Pinot Noir Wines

The Pinot Noir grape hails from Bourgogne (Burgundy) in France. It is notoriously difficult to cultivate successfully but produces some of the world’s most treasured wines. Its popularity has led to winegrowers using Pinot Noir throughout the world, particularly in what’s traditionally been called the “New World” wine appellations. 

Thus, New World regions like California, New Zealand, Argentina, and Oregon are today producing exceptional Pinot Noir, often characterized by more experimental techniques and diverse terroirs than is seen in Bourgogne. Old World Pinot Noirs, particularly from Bourgogne, are known for their subtlety, acidity, and traditional winemaking methods, such as minimal intervention and the use of wild yeasts. In contrast, New World Pinot Noirs are often fruit-forward, showcasing the influence of warmer climates and innovative winemaking approaches. 

What Are the Differences between Bourgogne and New World Pinot Noir Wines?  

One of the most notable differences between Old World and New World Pinot Noir wines is the winemaking style. Generally, Bourgogne red wines tend to be more subtle and elegant, with a greater emphasis on the expression of terroir and the influence of climate and soil on the wine. 

New World red wines, by contrast, are often bolder and fruitier, with greater intensity of flavor and body. In Bourgogne most producers use traditional winemaking techniques, such as fermentation in oak vats and prolonged maceration with the grape skins. These techniques often result in lighter-bodied red wines with softer tannins. Additionally, Bourgogne Pinot Noirs are often aged in oak barrels for extended periods, which imparts additional flavors and aromas, such as notes of spice, mushrooms, and earth. The best examples of Bourgogne Pinot Noir wines can age for decades. 

Of course, these are generalizations. Many New World winemakers copy the winemaking techniques of Bourgogne, and many Bourgogne winemakers are adopting more modern “New World”-style techniques as well. The importance of terroir-expression, long treasured in France, is growing in Argentina and California. 

Pinot Noir Winemaking Techniques 

In the New World, more modern winemaking techniques are commonly used, such as fermentation in stainless steel tanks and the use of selected yeasts to ferment the must. This often leads to Pinot Nor wines with greater fruit intensity, freshness, and more expressive fruit-forward flavors. 

Despite differences, high-quality Pinot Noir is found in both Old and New World regions, as evidenced by blind tastings where New World wines have rivalled or matched the best from Bourgogne. In both cases, Pinot Noir reaches its greatest expression in cooler climate that resemble the conditions in Bourgogne (or Champagne). A perfect example is Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where Bourgogne winemakers started investing decades ago. Top quality Pinot Noir wines are also now being produced in cooler areas of California, like the coastal areas of Sonoma and the Russian River Valley as well as in Argentina. New Zealand, too, although most renowned for its distinctive Sauvignon Blanc wines, produces Pinot Noirs with great freshness and fruity complexity. 

Also Read: Warm Climate Wines vs. Cool Climate Wines 

Five Pinot Noirs from Bourgogne from the Best Online Wine Store  

• 2020 Domaine Bruno Lorenzon Mercurey 1er Cru Les Champs Martin: a medium to full-bodied wine with layers of “smoky blueberries, plums and exotic spices” according to the Wine Advocate. “This is an elegant, complete red” designed for ageing, without over-ripeness and intrusive new oak
• 2021 Domaine Genot-Boulanger Bourgogne Pinot Noir: From the Pommard plain and vines planted in the 1960s, inside this red wine bottle you will find crunchy fruit amidst a silky and coated structure backed by an enticing aromatic palette of black fruits. It has character and depth.
• 2020 Domaine Bruno Lorenzon Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Champs Martin Cuvee Carline: Savor the deep bouquet of wild berries, smoke, raw cocoa, cloves, anise and peonies. This is a medium- to full-bodied wine, deep and concentrated. Superb for laying down in the cellar.
• 2021 Domaine Jean Yves Bizot Bourgogne Rouge Le Chapitre: A wine with earthy aromas, in part from oak. This Pinot Noir exhibits “a cool, pure and more mineral-driven middleweight flavors that are mouthcoating and succulent,” according to Burghound.
• 2011 Louis Jadot Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Boudots Premier Cru: A chance to sample a well-aged Bourgogne red. Expect aromas of spice, earth, menthol and cassis. This wine offers “focused power and punch on the balanced and impressively persistent finish,” says Burghound. 

Five Pinot Noirs from the New World  

• 2021 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir: This juicy wine offers raspberry and mulberry notes alongside notes of pine forest, red tea, and damp earth. It will age up to five more years.
• 2022 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir: A savory and medium-bodied Pinot Noir "fresh yet structured,” according to James Suckling. Expect flavors of dried strawberry, orange peel and light caramel. with dried stems.
• 2021 Bodega Chacra Sin Azufre Pinot Noir: From chilly Patagonia, Argentina, this wine melds aromas of red and blue berries, minerals, and pomegranates with violets and lemon zest. Suckling identifies it as layered and transparent with a taut finish.
• 2021 Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: Loads of red fruit flavors compliment aromas of savory herbs and dried flowers. There’s a hint of warm vanilla oak, with a long finish.
• 2021 Lavinea Tualatin Estate Pinot Noir: Matured in 30% new oak, this wine shows Oregon Pinot Noir wines develop with age. Find sweet cherry pie, black raspberry and spicecake flavors alongside “tannins that grab hold of the palate and don't let go,” according to the critic at Wine Spectator. 

We hope you liked this quick survey of two Pinot Noir styles that you can taste for yourself when you order wine online. Fine Burgundy wine is a habit worth developing.