Pinot Blanc a Nice Alternative to Chardonnay

If you’ve never tried pinot blanc why not consider giving it a taste? It’s generally a medium to full bodied white wine with high acidity and flavor characteristics that range from citrus to apple to vanilla.

The grape is grown in France, Germany, Austria and Italy (where it’s referred to as pinot bianco) and to a lesser extent in North American locations including California and Eastern British Columbia.

Although it’s only available in small quantities locally, it’s worth searching out as a nice alternative to Chardonnay. Serve it chilled and you’ll find that it pairs up well with a variety of green salads, mild cheeses, salmon and foods served with heavy cream sauces.

Here are a couple of pinot blancs that I’ve tried as of late and think you might enjoy:

Sumac Ridge Vineyards 2005 Reserve Pinot Blanc (about $12): This wine is full of light citrus and green apple flavors, balanced by a slightly vanilla finish and touches of oak. If you’re unable to find Sumac Ridge wines at local grocers, they can be purchased at British Columbia liquor stores that carry the Vintner’s Quality Alliance (VQA) designation.

Lucien Albrecht 2005 Pinot Blanc (about $13): Everything about this French wine seems to be slightly understated – in a good way. The aroma is faintly herbaceous with hints of fresh apple followed by gentle flavors of sweet clover and honeydew melon. Even the wine’s acid is fairly subdued, and the resulting finish is slightly crisp and dry. I purchased my bottle at the Haggen Fairhaven Market store.