It actually took a long time before Pinot Blanc - known in German-speaking countries as Weißburgunder or Weißer Burgunder - could be clearly described for what it is: a mutation of Pinot Gris or Grauburgunder, which in turn is a mutation of Pinot Noir. Before that it was often confused with Chardonnay, with which it has little in common. For this reason, the misleading name Pinot Chardonnay can still be found in older specialist literature. The early sprouting and early ripening variety is now represented in a large number of countries, preferably in moderately warm locations. It probably produces its best results in Germany, where it plays an important role, especially in the warmer south, such as Rheinhessen, the Palatinate and Baden, as it finds the rather deep and warm soils here, which it particularly values. It is also very cold-resistant, but susceptible to fungal diseases. The quality and complexity of the wines depends very much on yield restrictions and the time of harvest. In Italy, where Pinot Bianco is harvested early, the wines are fresh and fruity, but rather neutral. In Germany, on the other hand, later harvests produce very complex and multi-layered wines; some are even suitable for aging in barriques. Another important region is Alsace, where the area is increasing again, less because of the still wines, but because it is an important component of the sparkling wine Crémant D'Alsace. Pinot Blanc is also grown on a few hectares in Switzerland, Hungary, some Eastern European countries and in the New World in Oregon and Canada.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Arbst weiß, Arnaison blanc, Biela klevanjka, Auvernat blanc, Bijeli burgundac, Bijeli pinot, Blanc de Champagne, Burgundske biele, Beli pinot, Beyaz Burgunder, Burgundac bijeli, Borgognino, Burgunder blanc, Borgogna bianca, Borgogna bianco, Burgunder weisser, Clevner daune, Burgundi fehér, Burgundi kisfehér, Fehér Klevner, Fin plant doré, Burgunder weiß, Burgunda, Burgundac beli, Fehérburgundi, Epinette blanche, Fehérburgrurdi, Fehér burgundi, Fehér kisburgundi, Klrvenjka bijela, Moreote variété blanche, Kisburgundi fehér, Pinot doux, Plant de la Dôle, Pineau, Pineau blanc, Kleinedel, Kleiner weiß, Morrilon blanc, Pinot beluj, Pinot Bianco, Pinot bianco verde, Pinot bijeli, Pinot Blanc, Plant doré, Pino belyi, Ruländer weiß, Rulandske bile, Pinot verde, Pinot blanc d'Alsace, Pinot blanc vrai, Pinot Branco, Roci Bile, Noirien blanc, Weissklerner, Weißklevner, Weißer Klevner, Weißarbst, Vert plant, Weissburgunder, Weisser Burgunder, Weißer Burgunder, Weißclevner, Weißer Ruländer, Terlaner Weißburgunder
