pinot noir

noun

pi·​not noir ˈpē-(ˌ)nō-ˈnwär How to pronounce pinot noir (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Does a pinot noir have enough acidity to cut through the grime of a Tough Mudder race? — ABC News, 22 June 2026 The pinot noir surfaced ahead of a court hearing in the Virginia restaurant wine caper. — Dan Morse, Washington Post, 18 May 2026 While trying to uncork a bottle of wine (with a very old corkscrew) my husband managed to send glugs of pinot noir across the room and onto the very white sweater of a guest. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 May 2026 Wine options include a chardonnay and a pinot noir from La Follette and a cabernet sauvignon from Komomo. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pinot noir

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "black pinot"

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinot noir was in 1889

Rhymes for pinot noir

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Browse Nearby Words

pinot grigio
pinot noir
pin pallet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pinot noir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinot%20noir. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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