Pinot Blanc

TL; DR

The very pale cousin in the Pinot family famed for making fleshy (but refreshing) white wines.

So, what is Pinot Blanc all about?--red

Ok, so this is complicated. Although we call it a Pinot family, all the Pinot grapes (including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris & Pinot Meunier) are just mutations. You can sometimes even see these mutations on the same vine, with pink bunches alongside white ones, because Pinot does like to mutate. All those Pinot grape types mentioned above share most of their DNA, with only slight differences in genetics dictating what colour (and flavour) you’ll get. Pinot Blanc is one of the less common Pinot mutations and probably the most underrated one, too. Often confused with Chardonnay, it is one of Alsace's four ‘noble’ grapes and is renowned for making fresh and minerally white wines wherever it’s grown.

Where did Pinot Blanc originate?--earth

The current thinking is that Pinot Blanc came from Burgundy, although the Alsatians on the French/German border think it could be theirs.

Who's famous for Pinot Blanc?--racy

France - Alsace

Italy - Friuli & Alto Adige

What does Pinot Blanc taste like?--aromatic

Pinot Blanc can be a bit of a chameleon, varying in style from light and very pretty, with white flowers and lemon, to more richness and white nectarine fleshiness. It’s so often grown in cool climates that the minerality is just part of Pinot Blanc’s schtick, sometimes to the point where it can be too lean and a bit bland. Still, the best Pinot Blanc is both fruity and vibrant, with a real zesty fresh edge to complement the lovely white fruit flavour.

How is Pinot Blanc made?--cellar

Lots of winemakers treat Pinot Blanc like Riesling or Pinot Gris, crafting the wine in steel tanks and bottling it early to maintain the aromatic freshness. But we like it when producers give it more oomph, picking the grapes a bit later and maturing the wine in older oak barrels (as they increasingly do in Germany). Then, you get something with a bit more sunshine in the flavours and great texture.

What are the different styles of Pinot Blanc?--lemon

Just to muddy the water even more, Pinot Blanc is known as Pinot Bianco in Italy and Weissburgunder in Germany. The Austrians, bottling it as Weissburgunder, make the richest styles, where the grapes are sometimes picked very ripe and famously blended with the local Welschriesling to make luscious, juicy, sweet wines. Ol’ Pinot Blanc is more versatile than you think, as it’s also one of the accepted grapes in Champagne production (though very rare).

What foods pair with Pinot Blanc?--plum

With its freshness and energy, lighter styles of Pinot Blanc are great friends of richer, creamy dishes where its acid cut/white fruit flavour is a great contrast. Think roast pork with mashed potatoes in true Alsace style (it’s also killer with quiche). Fresh and cooked seafood, turkey, chicken and tofu are all Pinot Blanc bedfellows, and you just need to go for more fuller-bodied Pinot Blanc wines when the flavours get bigger.

Recipes to pair with Pinot Blanc--pizza

1. Slow Roast Pork Belly
2. Turkey, Walnut and Grape Salad
3. Creamy Prawn Linguine
4. Sweet Potato and Rosemary Pasta Bake

Fun fact about Pinot Blanc--eggplant

Not only is Pinot Blanc known for different coloured grape bunches on the same vine, sometimes it can be the same grape! We’re talking striped Pinot Blanc berries that are combinations of yellow/green and grey!

If you like this, you should also give these grapes a guzzle...--wines

Chardonnay, Albariño

About the Author:

Andrew Graham is a master winemaker and viticulturist (aka a grape guy) who fell into the wine industry as a teenager and never looked back! Voted the 23rd most trusted wine critic on the planet, Andrew judges at wine shows across the globe and runs foolishly long ultramarathons in his spare time (swiftly followed by a recuperative glass of wine or a frosty beer).