Focus on Pinot Blanc: balance and power

Pinot Blanc in Alsace: history and overview

Alsace Pinot Blanc is one of the few wines in the region to be a blend. It is made from Pinot Blanc grapes, which originated in Burgundy and arrived in Alsace at the end of the Middle Ages, and Pinot Auxerrois, a grape variety from Lorraine that was recently introduced to the region (in 1950).

It is thanks to the development of Crémant d'Alsace, which has enjoyed a recognized appellation since the 1970s, that the Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois grape varieties have developed in Alsace. Crémant d'Alsace is made from these two grape varieties, which has led to an expansion in the area dedicated to their cultivation: from 11% in 1969 to over 21% today. Pinot Auxerrois is now the third most widely grown grape variety in Alsace, behind Riesling and Gewurztraminer.

Tasting: a highly prized Alsace white wine

Although the grape varieties used to blend Pinot Blanc have a high yield, this does not mean that quality is lacking – quite the contrary! Its freshness, body and suppleness give it a unique personality that stands up well to comparison with certain Rieslings. In some cases, it can even surpass them!

Alsace Pinot Blanc is generally very pale in color, with beautiful clarity. Its nose is fresh and rich without being exuberant, with aromas of peach, apricot, even citrus, and a hint of white flowers. On the palate, Pinot Blanc d'Alsace reveals spicy notes and benefits from a relative acidity. It is a white wine that is both tender and powerful, with a beautiful balance.