Are you tiring of sauvignon blanc? I have no problem with Ireland’s favourite white wine, but there are plenty of interesting alternatives. I have suggested albariño, grüner veltliner and Riesling before. Another variety definitely worth trying out is pinot blanc, known as weissburgunder in Germany and pinot bianco in Italy, which is typically lightly aromatic with delicious fresh plump rounded fruits, good crisp acidity and lowish alcohol.
It is the perfect summer wine, either as an aperitif or alongside all sorts of lighter salads, pasta, cheese, fish and white meats. For that reason, I always look out for pinot blanc, and the other varieties mentioned above, on restaurant wine lists.
While it is rarely cheap, pinot blanc can offer good value. Alto Adige in Italy and Alsace in France produce very high-quality pinot versions. Most retailers will have at least one, usually priced at about €20-€25. It is growing in popularity in Germany and Austria, where it produces excellent dry wines (and in Austria great sweet wines too).
The other German burgunder worth trying out is grauburgunder, better known as Pinot Grigio in Italy and pinot gris in France. It is also very popular in Germany, where modern grauburgunder is dry and unoaked and can be very good indeed.
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Over the last few weeks, I have covered dry Riesling, and the triumvirate of so-called burgunders (from Burgundy) that are grown in Germany. If you have yet to discover the joys of German wine, now might be a good time.
Kuentz-Bas Pinot Blanc 2019, La 4ème Tour
13%, €17.95, down from €20.95 until August 1st
Succulent, plump, textured peach fruits with reviving citrus and a dry finish. Drink with quiche, salads or a tarte à l’oignon.
From O’Briens
Geil Pinot Blanc 2022, Rheinhessen
12.5%, €20-22
Racy red apple and pear fruits with a fine dry finish. Try it with grilled plaice, creamy cheese salads, or light pasta dishes.
From Mortons, D6; Drinkstore, D7; Deveneys, D14; Redmonds, D6; Clontarf Wines; DSIX; Martins, D3; Sweeneys D3; theallotment.ie, Baggot Street Wines, Red Island, Skerries; Jus De Vine, Portmarnock; Blackrock Cellar, Wicklow Wine Company
Pfeffingen Weissburgunder 2022, Pfalz
12.5%, €23
Classic pinot blanc with racy green apples and mouth-watering citrus zest. Perfect with lighter summery pasta dishes or creamy cheeses.
From Whelehan’s, Loughlinstown
Wagner Stempel Grauburgunder 2021, Rheinhessen, Organic
12%, €23-€25
Light, spicy textured peach and melon fruits with a slight spritz. Good with chicken, pork and quiches.
From: Drinkstore, D7; Donnybrook Fair: Theallotment.ie; Mortons, D6; Greenman Wines, D6; Baggot Street Wines; 64Wine, Glasthule
