The World’s Best Pinot Noir Regions, Mapped

Nicknamed the “heartbreak grape,” Pinot Noir is a notoriously finicky grape that’s known as one of the most challenging to grow. And yet, it produces what is undeniably one of the sexiest and most sought-after red wines in the world. When done successfully, Pinot Noir is capable of perfectly mirroring the terroir in which it’s grown, resulting in expressive bottlings with distinct tasting notes that differ from region to region. Considering Pinot Noir’s ability to reflect the land, it’s crucial to know which regions of the globe to look toward when hunting for a quality bottle.

Native to Burgundy, France, Pinot Noir is grown all over the world — but not all Pinot Noir regions are created equally. Given its thin skins, the grape tends to thrive in cooler climates, though it can also do well in warmer climates with proper shading from the sun. The resulting wines range from those rife with earthy, mushroom-like notes to those bursting with plush red fruit and hints of forest floor. But it all depends on where it’s grown.

Whether you’re looking to find your new favorite bottle of Pinot or you’re just dipping your toes into the grape for the first time, keep reading to check out the world’s most important regions for Pinot Noir.

Burgundy, France

Considering Pinot Noir is native to Burgundy, it should come as no surprise that the French region is easily the world’s most important for the grape. Even today, as Pinot Noir production continues to expand around the world, Burgundy continues to produce the most, accounting for over 30 percent of worldwide Pinot Noir production. Burgundian soils are rich with limestone, which allow for excellent drainage and moisture retention (two things crucial for the delicate grape to thrive), but also imbue grapes with the seductive minerality the region’s reds are known for.

Given the prestige terroir, we can point to Burgundy as the likely driver behind Pinot Noir’s globally high prices. The region is home to nearly every one of the world’s 50 most expensive wines, with only seven total bottles that made the cut hailing from outside the region. Of the 43 Burgundian wines listed, a whopping 26 are Pinot Noir, with the vast majority coming from just two iconic producers — Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Domaine d’Auvenay, which can fetch tens of thousands of dollars at auction.

Baden, Germany

Germany might be best known for its world-class Riesling, but when it comes to reds, there’s no grape more important than Pinot Noir. Known locally as Spätburgunder, Pinot Noir is the most planted red wine grape in Germany with each of the 13 wine regions home to plantings of the grape. But while wines made from Pinot Noir are produced across Germany, Baden accounts for most of the country’s production, with roughly 35 percent of the region’s land under vine dedicated to the red grape. It’s in Baden where several winemakers are experimenting with Burgundian styles and techniques, resulting in expressions that can easily go toe-to-toe with their French counterparts. Similarly to red Burgundies, Baden Spätburgunder often delivers lively red fruit, expressive minerality, and earthy forest floor notes.

Central Otago, New Zealand

Sauvignon Blanc might be the most famous variety produced in New Zealand, but Central Otago’s Pinot Noirs deserve a spot on every wine lover’s shelf. The region is defined by its mountainous landscape and high altitudes, which provide a unique climate for Pinot Noir to thrive. The days are filled with bright sunshine that allows for balanced ripening, while nights are cold and dark, allowing the grapes to flourish and produce highly structured wines with delectable fruit notes. Given the diversity of the region’s landscape, wines produced in Central Otago often have particular sub-regional attributes. For example, while Pinot Noirs from Gibbston are perfumed with fine tannins and long finishes, those from Bendigo, which is slightly warmer, often have punchier tannic structures and silky textures.

Willamette Valley, United States

In the United States, there is no region more important for Pinot Noir in the Pacific Northwest than Oregon’s Willamette Valley, with the grape accounting for over 70 percent of wine production in the region. It’s a notable figure considering approximately 75 percent of all wine produced in the Beaver State hails from the Willamette Valley. First planted in 1965 when California winemakers went North in search of cooler climates, Pinot Noir was an integral aspect of Willamette’s establishment as a wine region, which was made official in 1983. Similarly to Central Otago, Pinot Noirs from the area often have quite a bit of sub-AVA variation, though they’re overall known for delivering the structure of Old World Pinots with the same fruit as those from New World, making them an ideal balance between the two.

Sonoma, United States (Russian River Valley)

The Willamette Valley might be the most important Pinot Noir region in the Pacific Northwest, but Sonoma County — more specifically the Russian River Valley — is far and away the most important Pinot Noir region in California. Located just off the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Sonoma receives near-constant sea breezes, not to mention the layer of morning fog known as the marine layer, which create near-perfect conditions for Pinot Noir to thrive. In the Russian River Valley, soils like Goldridge sandy loam and Sebastopol clay produce highly expressive bottlings of Pinot Noir that burst with aromatic florals, bright fruit, and refined herbs and spice.

Casablanca Valley, Chile

Located about 60 miles northwest of Santiago is the Casablanca Valley, a roughly 20-mile-long valley situated, at its farthest point, just 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The more northern location of the region allows the Casablanca Valley to stand out from other Chilean regions known for their arid, hot climates. The region’s coastal proximity allows it to benefit from cool, morning fog and more dense cloud cover throughout the year, which helps to shade the delicate Pinot Noir from the harmful impacts of the sun. The region also receives cool, salty breezes from the ocean, further aiding the grapes in their development. Often grown in a combination of sandy clay and granite soils, Casablanca Valley Pinot Noirs are known for their fresh and fruity qualities, with refined tannins and refreshing acidity.

*Image retrieved from Ganna Zelinska via stock.adobe.com