pinot noir

noun

pi·​not noir ˈpē-(ˌ)nō-ˈnwär 

pē-ˈnō-

variants often Pinot Noir

: a full-bodied red wine that is known for its complexity and often tangy character, that is produced especially in Burgundy, Oregon, California, and New Zealand, and that is used in the production of champagne

also : the grape itself

Examples of pinot noir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sipwell Rock Steady Winemakers use Champagne-method conditioning to produce delicate carbonation in this effervescent rosé made from pinot noir grapes organically grown in California’s Sonoma Coast. —Kate Bernot, Outside, 30 Mar. 2026

As to whether today’s pinot noir wine tastes the same as whatever medieval knights were knocking back in the French royal court at Paris, grape DNA can’t reveal much about flavor. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2026

The main events, of course, include Friday’s Taste of Pigs and Pinot, the high-energy kickoff event boasting more than 60 pinot noirs to sample. —Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026

The sommelier turned us on to our new favorite Alto Adige wine—Rohregger Vom Lehm pinot noir, which paired flawlessly with all the dishes. —Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "black pinot"

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pinot noir

• boudoir
• moire