The Pinot blanc is an internationally widespread variety and the youngest member of the Pinot family.It is recognisable from its delicate, often restrained bouquet and its soft acidity, that often makes it an ideal blending partner with other white Pinot varieties.
Origin
probably Burgundy, France
Parentage
Mutation of Grauer Burgunder
Vineyard area
1,872.57 ha; 4.2%
Vineyard area
The area under this variety remains relatively constant in Austria.
Ripening
Ripening
Significance & conditions
Because of its somewhat subtle character, Pinot Blanc is often used in cuvée blends with other varieties and is sometimes vinified in small oak casks (barriques) using malolactic fermentation. To thrive, this variety demands a lot from the soil and its environment. Compared to Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc is more prone to botrytis because the grapes are more compact in the cluster.
Area under vine in Austria
(as a proportion of the variety’s total area)
Characteristics of the wine
Only in good vineyards does this variety yield premium quality. Young wines have a blossomy expression and piquant acidity, while mature versions tend to develop flavours of bread and nuts. Élevage is slow and premium quality is only achieved with a longer period of bottle maturation.
Source varietal specifications: Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau (Federal College and Federal Office for Viticulture, Oenology and Fruit Growing) in Klosterneuburg, “Austria’s Qualitätswein grape varieties and their clones“ („Österreichische Qualitätsweinrebsorten und deren Klone“), 2nd, reviewed edition, September 2015
Source area under vine: Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism according to IACS (as at 31 May 2022)
