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Pinot Blanc

Weißburgunder

A scion of the famous Burgundy family, Pinot Blanc has been known since the 14th century.

  • 6

    percent of the German vineyard area

  • 6.181

    Hektar der mit Weißburgunder bestockten Rebfläche 2022

Cultivation

The demands of Pinot Blanc on soil and climate indicate that it is related to Pinot Noir. These demands are high: warm, preferably deep and strong soils as well as exposed, dry-warm sites are preferred. The variety causes few problems in cultivation and can achieve high must weights due to a long ripening period.

Significance

Pinot Blanc is not only found here at home, but also among our neighbours. In France, the variety is called Pinot Blanc, in Italy Pinot Bianco, and it is also common in Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia. German winegrowers are discovering more and more the value of this elegant grape variety.

In 2022, about 6,181 hectares or just under 6 percent of the German vineyard area were planted with the variety, which thrives wherever it is already too hot for Riesling. We have been observing a steady upward trend for several decades - since 2001, the area under vines has almost doubled. Baden, with about 1,600 hectares, is considered a stronghold of Pinot Blanc, as are Rheinhessen and the Palatinate, with about 1,589 and 1,451 hectares respectively.

Wine making and flavours

Elegant Pinot Blancs with a dry taste, fresh acidity and fine fruit are ideal menu wines. In addition to light summer wines, there are powerful bottlings up to the dry Auslese. Not overly rich in alcohol, Pinot Blanc has a discreet aroma, often reminiscent of green nuts, apple, pear, quince, apricot, citrus fruit or fresh pineapple. Moderate body and a pleasantly refreshing acidity characterise it as a versatile menu wine. It is therefore well suited to seafood, fish, veal, pork and poultry, or simply as a well-chilled terrace wine. More extract-rich variants and barrique wines also go well with lamb or delicate dishes of young game.

Pinot Blanc presents itself as pale to light yellow in the glass, delicate and restrained on the nose. Its slightly nutty aroma is typical. When dry, its medium to full body and fine acidity make it suitable for many dishes. Barrique barrels are also used for late harvest and selection wines. In addition, noble sweet wines and refreshing Weißburgunder sparkling wines are available in limited quantities.

History

Pinot Noir is considered to be the original form of Burgundy. Pinot Gris is a light bud mutation of Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc can be seen as a continuation of this mutation via Pinot Gris. Until the grapes begin to ripen, these three true Burgundy varieties can hardly be distinguished; as they ripen, the expression of the grape colour and the aroma and taste components develop. Pinot Blanc has been known since the 14th century.

At a glance

  •     Grape variety on a steady upward trend
  •     High demands on climate and soil
  •     prefers exposed, dry-warm sites and deep soils
  •     late ripening
  •     Aroma: discreet, reminiscent of apples, pears, mangos, nuts, quinces

What is the difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc?

Pinot Blanc is often the counterweight to the creamy Pinot Gris - lighter, tangier, fresher. However, the color of the grapes is particularly striking: Pinot Blanc produces greenish-yellow berries, while those of Pinot Gris are distinctly copper-colored.

with goat's cheese Courgette and chanterelle salad

with goat's cheese

  • 2 ganze Zucchini
  • 3 EL Rapsöl
  • 1 kleine Schalotte
  • 300 Gramm Pfifferlinge
  • 1 Msp. gemahlener Piment
  • 2 Bund Rucola
  • je 1/2 Bund Kerbel u. glatte Petersilie
  • je 3 EL Walnuss- u. Rapsöl
  • 4 Stück Ziegenkäse-Taler
  • 1 Prise Zucker
  • nach Belieben Salz & Pfeffer

 

Salad:

Wash the courgettes and slice thinly. Place in a bowl and mix with the oil.

 

Heat a grill pan and fry the courgettes in batches until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper, place in a bowl.

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<p>Peel and finely dice the shallot. Clean the chanterelles, wash if necessary and pat dry. Depending on size, cut in half if necessary.

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<p>Sauté the shallot in a pan until translucent. Add the chanterelles and fry vigorously for 3 minutes while stirring. Season with salt, pepper and allspice. Add to the courgettes. Wash the rocket and spin dry.

 

Dressing:

Wash the herbs, shake dry. Pluck the leaves, blend finely with both types of oil and vinegar in a blender or with a hand blender. Flavour with salt, pepper and sugar. Pour over the courgette and chanterelle mix and mix loosely with the rocket. Arrange on plates, sprinkle with goat's cheese.

  • Pinot Blanc (trocken)

 

  • Varietal Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir The Pinot Noir grape is the number one red grape variety in Germany.

    Spätburgunder

  • Varietal Faberrebe This early-maturing, high-yielding vine produces light to golden yellow, fruity, elegant wines with well-structured acidity and a subtle muscat tone.

    Faberrebe

  • Varietal Trollinger In Württemberg, Trollinger is the most widely cultivated red wine variety, ahead of Lemberger and Schwarzriesling.

    Trollinger