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Pinot Blanc

The white grape variety Pinot Blanc is a mutation of Pinot Gris, which is itself a mutation of Pinot Noir – so Pinot Blanc is something of a happy accident. Pinot Blanc has its origins in France’s Burgundy wine region, home to those other famous Pinots, but is now a leading grape in the Alsace region. Pinot Blanc is similar to Chardonnay in many ways, making full-bodied wines that perform well with barrel aging. It can display apple, pear, spice and mineral flavors and aromas. In Alsace it is featured in many blended white wines, including sparkling wines, and is used on its own to make varietal wines.

In Austria, where it is known as the Weissburgunder grape, Pinot Blanc is a popular choice for dry white wines as well as rich Trockenbeerenauslese dessert wines. In Italy, as Pinot Bianco, the grape is used to make dry white table wines. Pinot Blanc has also made its way to New World winemaking regions, including the U.S. Pacific Northwest, California and Canada.

Pronunciation

[Pee-no BLONK]

Recommended food pairings

Roast chicken, rabbit, mild fishes, vegetable dishes, eggs

Serving temperature

45-50°

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