
Pinot may be one of the oldest grape families in the world, but its story is far from simple. Highly expressive, genetically volatile, and prone to mutation, Pinot has given rise to a range of distinct yet related varieties—including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Meunier. In this guided blind tasting, we’ll explore the origins of the Pinot family and what binds these varietals together across continents and styles.
The session unfolds in four structured flights, each featuring one grape variety tasted in two expressions: one from the Old World and one from the New. Participants will taste each pair blind, compare structure, aroma, and character, and vote on which wine they believe hails from which region—and why. As we taste, we’ll discuss the historical evolution of the Pinot family, key markers of terroir and winemaking influence, and the shared traits that link these wines back to their common genetic roots.
Whether you’re refining your blind tasting skills or deepening your understanding of varietal lineage and place, this session offers both insight and surprise in every glass.
2. Learning how grapevines can have the same genetic makeup but very different characteristics
3. Tasting and observing different wines with the same genetics
4. Tasting/comparing wines of the same grape variety from different growing areas
5. Better understanding/appreciation of how vitis vinifera changes and mutates over time and in different places