The Cellar: The Other White Pinot

Steffen Rasch, GoLocalProv Wine Writer

The Cellar: The Other White Pinot

Most of you are familiar with the white grape variety Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio, as the Italian examples are more commonly labeled. But did you know that the Pinot family is home to yet another white variety? Pinot Blanc (or Pinot Bianco if you’re referring to an Italian example) is arguably the least known of the commercially available white Pinot varieties. This is unfortunate as this variety makes some absolutely delicious wines ranging in style from crisp and clean to rich an oaky. Pinot Blanc is a resilient variety and as mentioned very versatile. It can produce still, sparkling as well as sweet dessert-style wines. 

Pinot Blanc is primarily grown in France’s Alsace region where it has its spiritual home and where it has been vinified for hundreds of years. The grape is also grown in Germany and Austria where it is called ‘Weissburgunder’ – which literally translates into ‘white Burgundy.' Whereas the French examples are usually medium to full-bodied (and often matured in oak) the Italian style is kept in stainless, so it is lean and crisp. Finally, Pinot Blanc is also one of the primary varieties in many of the world’s best sparkling wines, most noticeably France’s Cremants d’Alsace and Lombardy’s Franciacorta – Italy’s answer to France’s Champagne. 

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This week’s first featured wine is the 2013 Pinot Bianco from Kettmeir. The almost 100 year old Kettmier winery is located near the town of Bolzano in Italy’s northern Alto Adige region. This is a cool place, literally. This high-altitude, mountainous area near the border with Austria is ideal for producing crisp white and sparkling wines and that is exactly what the folks at Kettmeir specializes in. Their ’13 Pinot Bianco was fermented in stainless steel tanks and left to mature on the lees (dead yeast cells) for a while before bottling. The result is a crisp and delicious wine – with very expressive notes of peach, apricot and citrus - perfect for easy sipping by the pool. 

This week’s other Pinot Blanc is a typical Alsatian example – meaning there is a lot more inside the wine than just Pinot Blanc. In Alsace wines labeled ‘Pinot Blanc’ are allowed to have as much Pinot Auxerrois (another white Pinot related grape variety) in it as the winemaker wants, as well as other Pinot varieties. In other words, the 2013 Pinot Blanc from Meyer-Fonne is more like a white Pinot blend with Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc and of course Pinot Gris – there is even some un-macerated Pinot Noir juice in this wine. This wine is aged in large traditional neutral wood foudres for 7 months which allows the wine to come together and oxidize but doesn’t really impart a lot of oak flavors. This is a much richer wine than the Kettmeir with yellow apples, apricot and honey – absolutely stunning. 

Cheers,

Steffen Rasch is a Certified Sommelier and Specialist of Wine. Feel free to email him at [email protected] with any wine-related questions or learn about wine in person by signing up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy. The next tasting is Sunday, May 31st during which participants will be exploring the grape varieties Pinot Gris, Gamay and Merlot.

10 New England Wine Getaways

Newport Vineyards

Newport Vineyards is the perfect Rhode Island destination for wine lovers year round. Visit the winery this weekend for tastings and tours, featuring an array of award winning wines.

909 E Main Road, Middletown, RI. (401) 848-5161.

Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineya

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton is much more than just a winery—it is a place to get away from the stresses of life and indulge your senses, a place to try new things, a place to focus on you. The vineyard is open every day, and invites you to come for a tasting and tour. Try their Petite Red, Vidal Blanc, and many more of their distinctive wines.

162 W Main Road, Little Compton, RI. (401) 635-8486.

Greenvale Vineyards

Visit Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth to sample their estate grown and produced wine, made in small batches. While at the estate, try seven different wines and keep the wine glass for only $12. While you are tasting, take in the gorgeous views of both the vineyard and river. Besides tasting the wines, Greenvale also invites customers to tour the winery and learn about the history and process of winemaking at the vineyard.

582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth, RI. (401) 847-3777.

Maugle Sierra Vineyards

For a trip to a vineyard that includes much more than just wine, hop over the border to Ledyard, CT, to check out Maugle Sierra Vineyards. The vineyard hosts live music on Fridays and Sundays to compliment your wine tasting experience. Pack a dinner or light fare and enjoy a tasting session in the Sierra Room while you take in the sunset.

825 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, CT. (860) 464-2987.

Nickle Creek Vineyards

Nickle Creek Vineyard is a family owned and operated Rhode Island wine treasure. The winery, located in Foster, makes it their mission to handcraft the most unique, high quality wines in the business. All wines are created in small batches, giving them a distinctly unique taste. This weekend, visit their tasting room to try their variety of wines. On your way out, be sure to pick up a bottle of Foster Nights to get you through those chilly New England evenings.

12 King Road, Foster, RI. (401) 369-3694.

Nashoba Valley Winery

Take the bite off the winter chill this weekend and take a drive to Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. The winery hosts tasting events everyday from 10am-4:30pm For $5, receive a free tasting glass and samples of up to five different wines. Some favorites include Strawberry Rhubarb Wine, Holiday Special Cranberry Apple (a new release in November 2013), and New English Cider. If you are in the mood for something other than wine (if that’s possible), check out their beer selection as well!

100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA. (978) 779-5521.

Bishop’s Orchards Winery

The wines from Bishop’s Orchards Winery and Farm Market in Guilford, CT, have won over 179 medals since the winery opened in 2005. The tasting room at Bishop’s is open seven days a week year round, so no time is off-limits for wine tasting. Head over on the weekend to enjoy a winery tour pre or post tasting session. While visiting the winery, also be sure to check out the market for fresh baked goodies.

1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT. (203) 453-2338.

Diamond Hill Vineyards

For a cool twist on classic wine labels, look no further than Diamond Hill Vineyard in Cumberland. At Diamond Hill, you can get custom designed wine labels perfect for any occasion. If you’re interested in tasting the wines, visit their elegant tasting room for samples of their high quality wines such as Cranberry Apple, Estate Pinot Noir, or Blackberry.

3145 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI. (401) 333-2751.

Westport Rivers

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

Tucked away on the southern coast of Massachusetts, Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, located about an hour’s drive from Worcester, is worth the trip. For only $10, you can take home a special edition etched wine glass and enjoy a tasting of up to six of their award-winning wines. While the tasting room is open Monday-Saturday, free winery tours are also offered to the public every Saturday from 1-3pm.

417 Hixbridge Rd, Westport, MA. (508) 636-3423.

Travessia Winery

Found on the southern Massachusetts coast about 30 minutes outside of Providence, is Travessia Winery in New Bedford. This micro-winery puts a twist on traditional wine culture with its cool urban flair. Travessia is open for sales and tastings Wednesday-Sunday, and invites customers to come in and enjoy their unique variety of wines.

760 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. (774) 929-6534.

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