White Burgundy
Lightness and elegance characterize the White Burgundy, which is becoming increasingly popular in Germany.
Place value
The cultivation of Chardonnay has been officially permitted in Germany since 1994. Since that time, a perfect differentiation between Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc in the statistics is possible. In 2021, the area under White Burgundy in Rheinhessen was 1,554 ha (6% of the vineyard area). In Harxheim, the vine is grown on 6.2 ha (7.9% of its vineyard area). Here, as well as in the entire German wine-growing region, the area under this grape variety has almost doubled since the turn of the millennium. White Burgundy makes relatively high demands on the site. It particularly likes dry and warm sites and strong and deep soils. The dry and elegantly vinified Pinot Blancs reach a high level of quality. They are characterized by a fine fruit, a fresh moderate acidity and are ideal menu companions.
White Burgundy
Image source: 90625877 – stock.adobe.com
History
White Burgundy (French: Pinot Blanc) has been known since the 14th century and probably developed by mutation from Blue Burgundy (French: Pinot Noir). Due to their similarities, the two grape varieties, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, were not shown separately for a long time, but were grown together. Therefore, until the 80s of the last century, the cultivation data on these two varieties of wine were incomplete. Through increasing oenological knowledge, coupled with genetic analysis in viticulture, the differences between the two grape varieties became more and more important.
Pleasure
White Burgundies, vinified with a moderate alcohol content, have a subtle aroma reminiscent of citrus fruits but also of fresh pineapple, quince, pear, apricot, apple or green nuts. This wine is versatile in gastronomy as a food companion to veal, pork or poultry. But it is also very suitable with fish and seafood dishes with its pleasant refreshing acidity. The White Burgundy appears pale to light yellow in the glass and is delicate and restrained in its nose.
As of 28.12.2022: Rheinhessenwein e. V. 2022 https://www.rheinhessen.de/weissburgunder
German Wine Institute 2022 White grape varieties 2022, White Burgundy https://www.deutscheweine.de/wissen/rebsorten/weisse-rebsorten/weissburgunder/
Wikipedia 2022 https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weißer_Burgunder
