White Pinot Noir 10 Items Follow

Not a distinct variety in itself, White Pinot Noir is the result of Pinot Noir grapes pressed and vinified without skin contact, producing a clear, golden wine with a character quite distinct from Pinot Noir Noir (so to speak). The idea is old in Champagne, where Blancs de Noirs ("white from black") have long been made from Pinots Noir and Pinot Meunier, but as a still wine, the style is relatively new. The most serious producers are confined largely to Willamette Valley, more experimental pockets of California such as the Anderson Valley, though producers in Alsace, Germany, and Italy’s Oltrepo Pavese also make wines in the style.

Tasting Notes for White Pinot Noir

Made from red wine grapes, White Pinots are generally richer and more golden than most white wines, with great viscosity and a textured mouthfeel. Apple, pear, and melon fruit are common, as well as baking spice and ginger.

Food Pairing for White Pinot Noir

The rich palate of the wine makes it a natural to pair with lobster, creamy seafood dishes, chicken and pasta preparations, as well as sauteed mushrooms. It even has the stuffing to cross over to pork chops with applesauce.

Sommelier’s Secrets for White Pinot Noir

To preserve the wine’s white character, only a fraction of the juice is pressed out, which avoids releasing tannins.