Pinot Bianco

Pinot Bianco, also known internationally as Pinot Blanc, is a white grape variety of French origin, believed to be a natural mutation of Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio. It belongs to the extended Pinot family, which is known for its genetic instability, often resulting in new variants. Though its origins lie in Burgundy, Pinot Bianco has become a truly international grape, cultivated across Europe and beyond, with a strong presence in Italy.

Pinot Bianco was introduced to Italy in the 19th century, and today it is widely grown from Friuli Venezia Giulia in the northeast, all the way down to Sicily. While it appears in several Italian DOC and DOCG appellations, the finest and most expressive examples of Pinot Bianco are produced in Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige, regions known for their alpine terroirs, cool climates, and precise white winemaking.

This is a very early-ripening grape variety, which makes it especially well-suited to cool or “extreme” wine-growing regions. Its ability to ripen fully in less favourable climates contributes to its international success and versatility in the vineyard.

Wines made from Pinot Bianco typically range from medium to full-bodied, and are appreciated for their elegance, freshness, and structure. The grape’s naturally good acidity gives the wines lift and ageing potential, and it responds well to oak maturation, which can enhance texture and add layers of complexity without overpowering its delicate aromatics.

In the glass, Pinot Bianco wines often show floral and orchard fruit aromas, such as apple, pear, white peach, and blossoms, sometimes accompanied by hints of almond, citrus, or minerality, depending on the terroir and vinification style.

In addition to still wines, Pinot Bianco is a key component in the production of traditional method sparkling wines. In Italy, it plays an important role in Franciacorta DOCG, alongside Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) and Chardonnay, contributing elegance, freshness, and structure to these refined sparkling wines.