Pinot Blanc is the white grape mutation of Pinot Noir. It’s found mostly in Germany and Northern Italy where wines are refreshing, peachy, and dry1. British Columbia, Canada, is renowned for its cool climate and diverse terroir, making it a suitable region for growing Pinot Blanc grapes.
British Columbia has only about 230 acres of Pinot Blanc planted making it the seventh most popular white grape with 4.5% of the BC white grape crop.
The flavour profile contains pear, peach, raw almond, lemon zest and crushed gravel.
Here is a list of some BC Pinot Blanc wines I have recently tasted.
Hester Creek Old Vines Pinot Blanc ($19.99)
2022 Old Vine Pinot Blanc was hand harvested from Blocks 4 and 9 of the estate Golden Mile Bench vineyard. The roots run deep with these Block 4 vines that were planted in 1968, adding to the intensity and overall structure of this crisp white wine.
Following harvest, the grapes were meticulously sorted, destemmed and whole-berry pressed into stainless steel tanks. Following a long, cool fermentation for 28 days at 12°C, the wine was racked, blended with fine lees, and aged to further develop a pleasing mouth weight before being bottled in mid-January of 2023.
12.7% Alcohol / pH 3.52 / TA 6.53 g/L / RS 2.84 g/L.
The Foundation Series Old Vine Pinot Blanc exhibits classic aromas of honeydew melon and baked apple. The dry wine has flavours of green apple and lemon zest, a touch more body than the Pinot Gris and a honeyed texture and vibrant mineral backbone. Another terrific Summer wine. 91 Points.
Sperling Vineyards Organic Pinot Blanc 2021 ($21)
Pinot Blanc grapes are the last to ripen on the Sperling Vineyards’ East Kelowna Slopes estate. The old vines were planted in the 1980s. Hand-harvested, destemmed and soaked for 4 hours before pressing. Slightly settled juice is fermented in stainless steel with non-aromatic yeast to bone dryness.
10% Alcohol / pH 3.3 / TA 6.6 gm/L / RS 4 gm/L
Classic light aromas of lime, honeydew melon and green apple. The bone-dry wine kicks off with vibrant acidity leading to flavours of green apple, pineapple and lemon zest, light to medium body with an elegant finish. The depth and concentration show in the wine. 92 Points
Pairs well with shucked oysters, butter lettuce salad and sourdough bread. Enjoy the wine with delicate seafood and light cheeses.
Black Market Pinot Blanc 2020
(SOLD OUT – New Vintage Coming Soon)
The Black market Kaleden vineyard has half an acre of Pinot Blanc. The Pinot Blanc is barrel fermented and barrel-aged with neutral oak. With yields of two tons per acre, the grapes show an incredible depth of flavour and aroma. Hand-harvested early in the morning to preserve the acidity, the grapes were lightly pressed and then the juice was fermented in neutral barrels. 50% of the barrels used wild yeast. After fermentation, the wine was aged a further 5 months in a barrel, with batonnage every two weeks to build body and texture. The oak character is perceivable but doesn’t dominate.
13.5% Alcohol / TA 7.1 gm/L / RS 3.0 gm/L
The wine really has character. Aromas of baked apple, white peach, fresh-baked croissant, almond and lemon zest. Look for rich, complex palate notes of pear, ripe red apple, bright citrus and lightly toasted hazelnuts that are framed by a creamy texture and a long finish. 92 Points
Four Shadows Pinot Blanc 2022 ($22.99)
The gently pressed Pinot Blanc from the estate vineyard was mixed with a touch of Chardonnay and Riesling.
Alcohol 11.1% / pH 2.99 / TA 7.5 / RS 6.93 102 cases produced.
Classic light aromas of orange blossom, honeydew melon and pear. The dry wine has vibrant flavours of green apple, Anjou pear and lemon zest. The wine has a creamy textured mouthfeel, a hint of minerality and a long finish. 91 Points.
Also pairs well with shucked oysters, butter lettuce salad and sourdough bread. Enjoy the wine with delicate seafood and light cheeses.
Mayhem Pinot Blanc 2017 (Sold Out)
pH 3.47, TA 7.8, Alcohol 12.1% and 214 Cases produced.
The grapes were sourced from Kelowna. After the slow ferment maintained at a cool temperature in stainless steel tanks, the wine was further aged sur lees for five months.
A crisp white with a gorgeous aroma of honeydew melon and citrus with a hint of the lees when freshly opened. On the palate white peach, pear, melon, and herbal notes. Well-balanced acidity with a soft minerality. 90 Points
Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc 2017 ($21.85)
The Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc is intensely fruity and aromatic. The flavours and aromas of green apples and tropical fruits are complimented by more flinty notes from the fruit grown in the Similkameen Valley. The result is a wine with great complexity and balance. Consistently clean, crisp and fresh.
Reference
- Wine Folly – Pinot Blanc