05/25/07 Pinot Blanc

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. This past week we have talked about nothing but Chardonnay. So - I started looking for other white wines that really appeal to me on another level. One of those white wines is from the grape Pinot Blanc. Pinot Blanc is a mutation of Pinot Gris, which makes it a relative to Pinot Noir. It may be best known in the Chablis region of France, where it is grown right alongside of Chardonnay. Also grown in the Alsace of France where they make some truly lovely dry white wines. Those Pinot Blanc show such delicacy and finesse, that they are to me, some of the best examples of what can be done with this particular grape. Some styles have a very smoky quality that makes them quite exotic. I find them to be a bargain for the caliber wine that you are getting. Pinot Blanc is best known in Italy as Pinot Bianco. There it is made in a richer more buttery style and is the predominant white grape used to make some serious Italian sparkling wines. Pinot Blanc also has a long history in California but hasn't gained much recognition. Unfortunately, it seems to be viewed as some sort of lesser grape, that is subordinate to Chardonnay. I hate that and I am here to say that it should be viewed and tasted on its own merit, and when you take a chance on a good Pinot Blanc, I don't think you will be disappointed. Right now Pinot Blanc is certainly one of my new favorite white wines. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.