Pinot Bianco, Pinot Blanc is a white wine grape originally from Alsace France. It is a point genetic mutation of Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is genetically unstable and will occasionally experience a point mutation in which a vine bears all black fruit except for one cane that produced white fruit.

Pinot Bianco has been cultivated in Alto Adige since the mid-1800s, it grows well on region’s higher altitude hillside vineyards thanks to the complex limestone and clay soils, where the cool mountain breezes help generate cooler temperature in the growing season. Pinot Bianco is also grown successfully in parts of the Friuli Colli Orientali Denomination especially in Collio where the rich mineral soils known as “ponca” and the cool Adriatic breezes enable the vines growth. Pinot Bianco vines have a natural penchant for producing large yields which in the past resulted in rather forgettable wines that were produced mostly in bulk. All that changed in the early 1990’s when the Italian Wine Industry shifted its focus from bulk production to higher quality wines, it was then that some winemakers realized by reducing yields through early thinning of bunches they could produce highly flavorful wines that also had great ageing potential (8-10 years) due to the grapes natural acidity and minerality.

Pinot Bianco is also an allowed component in Lombardia’s Franciacorte DOCG Sparkling Wines as well as in Toscana’s Pomino DOC Vin Santo.
Pinot Bianco Grapes

Pinot Bianco wines appearance is usually pale yellow in color with hints of green. The nose is a combination of floral notes along with aromas of fresh pears, peaches, apples, apricots and sometimes almonds. The palate is usually rich, creamy with a variety of flavors that include melon, pear, citrus fruit, peach, apricot, hazelnuts and almonds balanced by brisk acidity flinty minerality and depending on vinification hints of smoke.