Pinot Blanc
What is it?
Pinot blanc is a white grape primarily planted in Germany and Italy. Pinot blanc is actually a mutation of the Pinot noir grape! In fact, the Pinot noir grape is genetically unstable and prone to mutation. Occasionally, there will be what is called a "point mutation" where most of the vine produces the usual black grapes but one part of the plant produces a mutated white grape. This is how both Pinot blanc and Pinot gris came to fruition. (Note, however, that this is the origin story for white Pinot noir -- more on that next week.)
Primary flavors include pear, peach, raw almond, lemon zest, and crushed gravel. It is suggested to have this wine with foods with subtle flavors, like salad with creamy dressing, mild and soft cheeses, and flaky white fish. We had this wine with sweet potato and broccoli donburi.
Next week, we will feature a white Pinot noir wine, followed by a true Pinot noir wine, which will round out our small venture into the Pinot territory.
Molly's Rating and Tasting Notes
7.5. This is one of the better dry white wines we've had. I get some peach, honeydew, and petrichor on the nose. The flavor has those same flavors, but the honeydew is exaggerated. There isn't much acidity, but the sweetness of the fruit flavors leaves the tongue satisfied and wanting more. I'd recommend this if you like white wine and haven't tried Pinot blanc yet.
Ryan's Rating and Tasting Notes
8.2. On the nose I get lime, honeydew, pear, radish, and hints of chlorine at the end. Upon tasting, I am met with flavors not too dissimilar to the sensations that once graced my nose. It is decently sweet, without being overbearingly so. There's a little bit of acidity to balance out that sweetness as well. Some of the tasting notes I get that stand out from the ones mentioned above is a bit of breadiness, mostly resembling brioche, marble (the stone, not the spherical toy), and some nuttiness. The finish isn't super long, and the taste dissapears after a short while. The mouthfeel isn't very heavy either, and it doesn't really coat the mouth, which I think compliments the other aspects of the wine well. Overall a quality white wine. (Disclaimer, I left this wine out for a little while before doing the review so it was warmer and more aerated than usual).
References
[1] Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack. Wine Folly: The Master Guide. Avery - A Penguin Imprint, New York, NY, 2018.
[2] "Pinot Blanc." Wine Folly. https://winefolly.com/grapes/pinot-blanc/. Accessed: September 2023.
Wines we haven't finished
- None this week!