Pinot Blanc
A scion of the famous Burgundy family, Pinot Blanc has been known since the 14th century.
Facts
-
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.
Tips from the Asian kitchen CHINA : Dumplings
German wines have a natural advantage when it comes to harmonising perfectly with selected Asian dishes. With a lighter alcohol content, sometimes crisp acidity, moderate residual sweetness or soft tannins in red grape varieties, they go perfectly with a variety of styles of Asian cuisine.
- 500g Flour
- 240ml Warm water
- 400g Minced pork
- 100g Celery
- 1 TL Salt
- 1/2 TL Sugar
- 3 EL Light soy sauce
- 1 EL Oyster sauce
- 2 EL Oil
- 100 ml Water
PREPARATION
Knödelteig
Pour flour into a large bowl, add 240 ml of warm water and stir until well combined.
Dip your hands in some dry flour and knead the dough until it becomes smooth.
Place the dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour.
Kneading
Mix the minced pork, salt, sugar, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, oil and 100 ml water well and leave to rest in the fridge for 2 hours.
<p
<p>Chop the celeriac and pat dry with a kitchen towel.
Take the pork out of the fridge and stir in the chopped celery.
Knödel
Divide the dough into small pieces of approx. 8g.
Roll out the dough pieces with a rolling pin to a diameter of approx. 7 cm.
Take approx. 15g of the filling and place it in the centre of the rolled out pastry. Fold the dough together and press the edges in lightly with your fingers.
<p
<p>Cook the dumplings
Fill a large pan with water and bring to the boil. Add an appropriate amount of dumplings and cook until they rise to the surface.
<p
<p>Remove the knots and serve.
- Pinot Blanc (trocken)
- Pinot Blanc (halbtrocken & feinherb)
- Silvaner (trocken)
- Silvaner (halbtrocken & feinherb)
- Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir (trocken)
- Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir (halbtrocken & feinherb)
This might also interest you
-
Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon is not only a very popular grape variety, but also a very old one: The grape variety is mentioned in documents as early as 1635.
Learn more -
Bacchus The variety, which with its flowery muscat tone is reminiscent of the Scheurebe, boomed especially in the 1970s to 80s.
Learn more
