The Pinot Noir and Identity Symposium is the inaugural event organised by The Pinot Noir Project – a hub for knowledge exchange bringing researchers from a wide range of disciplines together with winemakers and industry representatives for collaboration, consultation and participation.
Our first international symposium aims to focus attention on this grape variety’s unique place in the world of wine by examining how Pinot Noir’s identity has been constructed over the centuries. We invite contributions exploring not only the origins and historical evolution of its status, reputation, and mythology, but also envisaging how these aspects of its identity might be reconstructed in new environmental and commercial contexts.

We hope to answer questions such as:

• How, when, where, and by whom was Pinot Noir’s identity constructed? And in whose interests?
• What determines its representation and reception in the industry as well as the broader community?
• What effects does association with Pinot Noir have on the identity of producers, consumers, and intermediaries?
• Does identification with Pinot Noir confirm the commercial and cultural impact of its symbolic power?
• How might Pinot Noir’s identity develop in relation to climate change, new markets, and challenging health and wellbeing policies?

The Pinot Noir and Identity Symposium will therefore showcase current research on the topic, in conversation with industry practitioners including winemakers, wine writers, wine marketers, and wine connoisseurs. It is open to all wine scholars, academic and non-academic, as well as those involved in the production, promotion, and consumption of Pinot Noir wines. We are seeking diverse contributions on a variety of wine-related subjects associated with Pinot Noir and Identity from all academic disciplines as well as industry and consumer perspectives, and a wide range of geographies. Attendance by individuals or industry representatives is also very welcome.
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