Pinot blanc
Synonymy
In the European Union, Pinot blanc is officially called by other names: Beli pinot (Slovenia), Pinot Bianco (Italy, Malta), Rulandské biele (Slovakia) and Weisser Burgunder (Germany, Austria). These synonyms are officially recognized in France regarding plant propagation material.
Registration Information
In France, Pinot blanc is officially listed in the “Catalogue of vine varieties” on the A list and is classified for wine grapes. This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Cultivation and Vine Characteristics
Pinot blanc is a vigorous variety with consistent productivity, yielding more than Pinot gris or Pinot noir. It is slightly sensitive to Chlorosis but thrives in deep, warm soils, whether stony or not. Pinot blanc also shows good resistance to cold temperatures. The bunches are small to medium-sized, and the berries are small.
Wine Characteristics
Pinot blanc can produce pleasant, light-bodied wines with moderate acidity. This variety is also well-suited for crafting base wines used in sparkling wine production.
Clonal selection in France
The five certified Pinot blanc clones carry the numbers 54, 55, 1294, 1295 and 1296. A conservatory collection of 200 or so clones was planted in Alsace in 1984. Two other conservatories have been planted: on of 24 clones in the Champagne wine-growing region and one of 14 clones in the French department of Côte-d’Or in 1993.
Available Clones
54
Clone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium
- Production Level: Medium
- Cluster Weight: Medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium
- Acidity: Medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Typical wines of the grape variety.
55
Clone Characteristics
- Fertility: Low to medium
- Production Level: Low to medium
- Cluster Weight: Medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium
- Acidity: Medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Typical wines of the grape variety.
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