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Pinot Blanc |
From its ancestral origins in northern France, Pinot Blanc has migrated widely, if not profusely, to many other cool to moderately cool climates of the world. For good reason it was probably disseminated as, and long mistaken for, Chardonnay, which it strongly resembles.
In the early 1990s, research conducted by plant geneticist Carole Meredith at the University of California at Davis revealed a common heritage between Pinot Blanc and a number of other grape varieties indigenous to northern France.
Based on DNA fingerprinting, she concluded that an original Pinot prototype and an obscure vine called Gouais Blanc are the parents of Pinot Blanc and fifteen other Gallic varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Pinot Blanc may in fact be a second generation mutation of Pinot Gris.
The vine is of low to moderate vigor and potentially very high productivity with some sensitivity to rot in humid conditions. Pinot Blanc develops most finesse in chalky soils, but is adaptable to many. The large, notched leaves are nearly identical to Chardonnay’s, and the bunches are small and compact, with bright green, oval berries.
The fruit is high in extract and moderate in sugar and potential alcohol, and neutral in fragrance, and its moderate acidity is enhanced in cooler growing regions. Pinot Blanc is best represented in Alsace, where is produced both as a single varietal wine and also blended with other varieties to yield sparkling, still, dry and botrytized wines, these latter a result of the overripe berries being attacked by the fungus responsible for the sweet dessert wines of Sauternes.
There are significant plantings in northern Italy, where it is called Pinot Bianco and often interspersed with Chardonnay vines. Oregon’s Willamette Valley is yielding the west coast’s most interesting wines. On its own, Pinot Blanc offers delicate aromas and fresh, plump, creamy fruit flavors of pears and apples with notes of spice or minerals depending on soil type. It responds well to restrained oak contact. Also grown in Germany, Austria, California, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Slavic eastern Europe. |
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Alternate Names: Weissburgunder, (Weisser) Klevner/Clevner, Weisser Ruländer, Chasselas Dorato, Beli Pinot, Diela Klevanjka, Feherburgundi |
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See Also: Aligoté Chardonnay Gamay Noir Melon de Bourgogne Pinot Grigio Pinot Meunier Pinot Noir Sémillon |
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