Among all wines, Pinot Blanc has stood test of time. Pinot Blanc wine ranks as one of the most drunk wines in the world. It is a grape vastly served in sparkling and sweet desert wines.
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Pinot Blanc is both a grape and wine produced from the grape that does not get much attention. However, it is present in many wines drunk daily.
Due to the versatility of this wine, this article tends to shed more light on the major facts about Pinot Blanc wine.
The Facts:
Pinot Blanc Wine: Flavor Profile
Pinot Blanc is a semi dry white wine very similar to a Chardonnay due to the fact that it has a medium to full body and light flavour. It is high in acidity which gives it a sour profile. Pinot Blanc’s lighter flavours usually comprises of citrus, melon, pear, apricot, and smokey or mineral undertones.
Pinot Blanc Grape By Any Other Name
Being a popular wine worldwide, Pinot Blanc has different names in different regions of the world. Referred to as Weissburgunder or Klevner in Germany and Austria. Pinot blanc goes by the popular name Pinot Bianco in Italy and Spain. Indigenous peoples ofHungary name Pinot Blanc Fehér Burgundi. Rulandské Bile is Pinot’s Czech name. Slovakians call Pinot Blanc, Rulandské Biele; to Croatians, Pinot bijeli or Burgundac bijeli.
Pinot Blanc produced in these states also have high acidity levels giving it a sharp, tart taste. How pinot blanc grape grows determines the grapes characteristics.
Foods you can eat with Pinot Blanc
This wine has soft characteristics that make it a perfect match for certain foods. It is not a good match for a flavorful or spicy food, but will go well with foods with little flavour. Examples of good food that match Pinot Blanc include mild flavoured cheese, light flavoured meats, light to medium sauces, egg sandwich, seafood salads, dishes that include apples, and many others.
If you love Pinot Blanc, try Pinot Grigio!
Origin of Pinot Blanc Grape
From various studies, we found out that Pinot Blanc wine originated from Alsace. Some school of thought believed it to have originated in Burgundy in France where it flourished alongside with Chardonnay. A grape appellation controlee system was then introduced in burgundy in 1937 which permitted certain wines over others. Chardonnay gained favor over Pinot Blanc. Presently, Pinot Blanc is found all over Alsace in France where it is a wine loved by many.
The Pinot Blanc Grape Shares genetic fingerprint with Pinot Noir
Pinot Blanc appeared through a skin mutation Pinot Noir. It is a point genetic mutation of Pinot noir. Pinot noir is quite unstable genetically and will at some point experience a mutation in which a vine bears all black fruit except for one cane which produces white fruit.
North American Pinot Blanc
North America commercially grows and produces Pinot Blanc in large quantities. The level of alcohol added to the wines produced in these states is usually high. Pinot Blanc produced in these states also have high acidity levels giving it a sharp, tart taste. How pinot blanc grape grows determines the grapes characteristics. This makes it the number one choice in the production of sparkling wine in California while it is more used for the production of ice wine in Canada.
Poor Man’s Chardonnay, Never!
Alsace’s Pinot Blanc, ranks as one of the best bargains worldwide. Here, Pinot Blanc has to rely on its fruits for its flavour and tannins as they do not use new oak in Alsatian winemaking. Marketed as an affordable alternative to chardonnay. Wine critics dubbed Pinot Blanc the “poor man’s chardonnay. Nevertheless, wine should be enjoyed for qualities such as immediate appeal to the mouth, rich, ripe, juicy apple flavors and floral aromas.
Diversity Unmatched
Pinot Blanc is unmatched in diversity. Flavors and aromas differ based on country and climate grown, as well as wood aging and process of winemaker. Different styles Pinot Blanc range from the light and fruity Pinot Biancos of Italy, to complex, oaky perfection of California winemakers.
Winemakers in California have recently started to use techniques used to make expensive chardonnay to make Pinot Blanc. The process started with Chalone Vineyard in Monterey County decades ago. Monterey County makes reserve bottling from grapes grown in a vineyard planted in 1946 and a regular estate bottling from grapes grown in a vineyard planted in 1972.