Pinot Bianco

 

Synonym: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Blanc d’Alsace, Pinot Blanc Vrai, Pinot Doux, Plant Dore, Gentil Blanc, Blanc de Champagne, Bon Blanc, Clevner, Vert Plant, Klevner, Weissarbst (France) ; Weissburgunder, Pinot Bianco Verde, Pinot Verde, Borgognino, Borgogna Bianco (Italy); Weissburgunder, Borgunder Blanc, Borgunder Weiss, Klevner Weiss, Weis Silber (Germany and Austria); Feherburgrurdi (Hungary); Roci Bile (Czechoslovakia).

 

Commonly mistaken for: Chenin Blanc, Mellon, Chasseles Dorato, Chardonnay.

                                                                    

Origin: Very old variety of French white grape, probably native of the Alsace region. The original vines were resulted from a chimerical mutation of Pinot noir or Pinot Gris. It was (and still is) widely cultivated in Germany and France, but not in calcareous soils, where it shows iron chlorosis. According to Molon (1906), in Italy was commonly mistaken for Chardonnay, and across the north-east was used to call it: Chardonnay Verde (Green Chardonnay).

 

Agronomic and environmental aspects: Good and constant yield. It has a preference for hilly and not very fertile soils with a good humidity. The vines require medium-wide training systems and rods pruning in cooler regions, while spur pruning in the warmer regions.

 

Diseases, pests and disorders: Shows a medium-low resistance to most common diseases. Susceptible to Botrytis, iron chlorosis, phomopsis cane and leaf spot. Susceptible to the winter cold shows medium resistance to the frosts. Good resistance to ESCA.

 

Description:

Growing Tip: fully open, cottony, of whitish green colour with reddish edges.      

Leaf: medium-small size, pentagonal or circular, entire or 3-lobed. Has an open U-shaped petiolar sinus, lateral sinuses shaped like a V with lobes strongly overlapped. The profile is V-shape with revolute lobes.

Bunch: small, of cylindrical form, with one developed wing, compact.   

Berry: of small dimensions, round or slightly oblate; thin skin, weak covered by bloom, of yellow colour with golden or green reflexes, juicy pulp with simple taste.

 

Vegetation growth habit:

semi-erect

Vigour:

medium-high

Average bunch weight:

medium-low (50-170 g.)

Average bunches per shoot:

1 or 2

 

Growth Stages:

Time of budburst:

medium-early

Time of flowering:

medium-early  

Time of veraison:

medium   

Time of harvest:

early or medium-early 

 

Available Clones:

-          VCR 5:Click here to see growth stage photos Vine characterized by medium-high vigour and low fertility; medium-small bunches with medium density of berries. Good resistance to Botrytis and iron chlorosis. Clone recommended for dry wine style.

 

Maturity results:

Vintage 2005

VCR 5

8/02/05

15/02/05

20/02/05

2/03/05

Baumè

9.95

10.20

11.35

11.90

pH

3.37

3.41

3.43

3.48

T.A.

5.48

5.25

5.25

4.73

 

Wine characteristics:

Wine is straw-yellow in colour, with greenish glints, elegant and full bodied, fresh and dry, well-balanced in acids and is very fragrant with a delicate perfume. It develops well with short ageing. Also Can be used in vinification for sparking wines (Champagne type), stand-alone or blended with Chardonnay and others Pinots. In Italy is traditionally cultivated in the Trentino Alto Adige, Lombardia, Veneto and Friuli regions, where it becomes an important component of several DOC: Franciacorta, Garda, Alto Adige, Trentino, Valdadige, Colli Euganei, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli Grave, Friuli Isonzo, etc.