Alsace! Pierre Sparr Pinot Blanc

Okay, so what IS the difference between Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, or Grigio? The difference is they are two completely different varietals. Pinot Grigio/blanc is famous as the easily found white from Italy even though more Pinot Blanc is grown there. Pinot blanc is actually a mutated for of Piont Grigio and usually provides more substance in the glass when it comes to flavor and body. Some of the best Pinot Blancs (all subjective of course) are grown in the Alsace region of France or the Alto Adige region in Northern Italy. I enjoyed this Pierre Sparr Reserve Pinot Blanc from Alsace's 2004 Vintage tonight with some Salmon. It was fantastic. The wine has a bright golden hue in the glass with aromas of peach, pear, and sweet citrus, something like tangerine. On the palate it is nice and big, touching every tastebud and giving a sense of thicker viscosity. There does seem to be a bit of residual sugar but not a whole lot. The acidity is sharp, helping the finish. It actually reminds me a lot of an unoaked Chardonnay form a cooler climate. Anyway, its a good drop, cost me about $12.00 and well worth it. Oh, the Salmon turned out great. Hard to ruin Salmon. Overall, I give the wine an A-.