Pinot Blanc/Pinot Bianco

Pinot Blanc, called Pinot Bianco in Italy, is the third mutation of Pinot Noir that I have wrote about for this site, there are more... Pinot Blanc is the white version, and unlike Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc can only be made into white wine. Pinot Blanc is fun to smell. Really, the aromas are so floral and fruity and pretty, almost never oaked because that would hide these beautiful aromatics and steal the vibrant acidity.

I just returned from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the ruling class in that area of the United States, but Pinot Blanc thrives amongst the grapes produced here as well. I find the crisp acidity from the relative mild cooler climate makes these Pinot Blancs great starter wines. Shellfish, ceviche, smoked salmon, and tuna poke were a few of my favorite pairings with Pinot Blanc, but don't underestimate how pleasing it can be as an aperitif sipper, just by itself.

Other notable areas of production for Pinot Blanc include Alsace, France (honestly, my favorites) Trentino in northern Italy, Baden, Germany (called Weissburgunder) and freckled throughout the new world, too. If you would like to try, a fun custom event includes one each of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot noir.