Super Glossary

Pinot Meunier

Life Style / Wine Grapes / Pinot Meunier: (Pronounced 'pee-noh muh-ny-ay'). (a.k.a Meunier). Has over 26 synonym names listed in the Geilweilerhof database. Some common ones are mentioned below. DNA analysis (Franks et al, 'TAG' 2002) has lately revealed this variety to be a periclinal chimeric clone of the Pinot c?page. Reported to have the synonym name Enfum? when referring to Pinot Meunier Fum? in the Champagne region of France although the Geilweilerhof database allocates the former synonym to the Pinot Gris variety. A recent australian research paper (see 'Nature', 4/25/02) reported that the mutated gene prevents a response to gibberellic acid, a plant growth hormone, leading to leaf outer layer differences and modest plant growth-stunting. Is late-budding and matures earlier than Pinot Noir with larger clusters. Widely grown in the Champagne (Aube) region of France. Used in a blend with Pinot Noir to make 'Blanc de Noir' style sparkling wines. In the Finger Lakes region of New York state (USA) it has the alias name Black Riesling. Where grown in Germany it has the alias name Muellerrebe. A mutation of this latter variety, known as the Samtrot, notable for characteristics closer to Pinot Noir clones, is also cultivated in certain N. American vineyards and Germany. Also grown in Australia where it shares the name Meunier with other aliases such as Millers Burgundy and Schwarzriesling, the latter name commonly used in Austria.
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