PINOT BLANC.,Pinot Blanc is a descendent of Pinot Noir and thought to be related to Pinot Gris. The Italians and Americans connect the flavor with their beloved Chardonnay. Not being able to varify the difference, the Italians planted the Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay vines in the same field, but in 1984 a DOC was granted for any Chardonnay, in recognition of its existence as a separate variety from the Pinot Bianco. Italians are producing apple-crisp Pinot Blanc wines with more body than most of the local whites and often spritzy. In Chile it is a well known grape variety but there was confusion as to its verification. In Australia the confusion was so great almost everything labeled Pinot Blanc was Chardonnay. The Americans with there relatively new planting have verified there varieties, and label the wine correctly. In the States the Pinot Blanc has done extremely well against Chardonnay in many blind tastings. Pinot Blanc is not a noble grape variety but a very popular. Its popularity might have come from the confusion between it and Chardonnay, but in any case it seems to be holding its own and increasing in notoriety. If you do not know the taste of this grape variety I suggest this is the day you go buy a bottle and introduce yourself.
FUTURE PLANS FOR PINOT BLANC.
It is now being crossed with a White Riesling at a viticulture research center at Conegliano, and is named after professor Manzoni.
Winemakers are also looking at Pinot Blanc for the high acid, neutral character, rot potential and tight bunches for making Spumante.
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