Guide to Rare White Pinot Noir (8 Delicious Bottles, Prices 2024)

White Pinot Noir is an unusual, yet elegant hybrid of red and white wine that’s experiencing a quiet renaissance globally. 

This white wine is made with the Pinot Noir red wine grape variety (like Blanc de Noir Champagne.)

But, this wine tastes a bit different from its parent. It does have a Pinot Noir-like palate and texture, but it delights with aromatics of both white and red wines.

Let’s discover the different White Pinot Noirs from around the world, the best bottles to buy, and some great food pairings.

White Pinot Noir Wines from Around the World

Based on where it’s produced, White Pinot Noir (also known as Pinot Noir Blanc) can be quite different - thanks to the different winemaking techniques, grape clones, and labeling adopted by winemakers.

Here’s what you need to know about White Pinot Noir based on where it’s made:

1. The USA

Primarily produced in Oregon and California, this wine can be either unoaked, light-bodied, with high acidity (fermented in stainless steel) or oaked (the wine matures in oak barrels) with a buttery flavor and rich texture (similar to Chardonnay.) 

Some California wine producers also produce a Pinot Noir Rose wine called Vin Gris. Others might label their White Pinot Noir as Blanc de Noir.

2. France

French White Pinot Noir is made in the Alsace wine region, and it’s labeled as Pinot d’Alsace. These wines are usually a blend of the Pinot Noir red grape varietal with Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. This wine is more tart with crisp acidity.

3. Germany 

In Germany, this wine goes under the name Blanc de Noir Spätburgunder (meaning Blanc de Noir Pinot Noir.) German White Pinot is light-bodied, fresh, and floral.

4. Italy

In Italy, the wine is known as Pinot Nero Bianco, and it’s mineral with high alcohol content, bright acidity, and honeyed flavors.

How is White Pinot Noir Made?

White Pinot Noir is made in the same way as white wine. It can be made with both under ripe or fully ripened grapes which undergo:

• Pressing: The grapes are piled, and free-run juice is released under the pressure. The limited contact of the juice with the skins results in a clear white juice. 
• Fermentation: The juice is fermented at low temperatures in either stainless steel (for a more fresh, crisp, and pure wine) or neutral French oak barrels (for thicker, creamier, and more buttery wine.)

This method of winemaking produces smaller quantities of wine which makes White Pinot Noir quite rare.

8 Best White Pinot Noir Wines

These are some of the best White Pinot Noir wines to buy in 2024:

1. 2017 Domaine Serene 'Coeur Blanc' ($145)
2. 2017 Tendril Wine Cellars 'Pretender' White Pinot Noir ($65)
3. 2018 Maggy Hawk Edmeades Vineyard White Pinot Noir ($58)
4. 2020 Schug Carneros Estate White Pinot Noir ($42)
5. 2017 Lichen Estate White Pinot Noir ($34)
6. 2018 Coelho Winery Coelho Estates White Pinot Noir ($25)
7. 2020 Willamette Valley Vineyards Tualatain Estate White Pinot Noir ($25)
8. 2018 Left Coast Cellars White Pinot Noir ($26)

1. 2017 Domaine Serene 'Coeur Blanc' ($145)

This beautiful crisp wine comes straight from the Willamette Valley. The white wine flavors include baked apple and elegant rainier cherry fruit hints. 

2. 2017 Tendril Wine Cellars 'Pretender' White Pinot Noir ($65)

Here we have a great White Pinot with pleasant acidity, subtle minerality, and lemon curd aroma. The palate reveals notes of pear, stone fruit, and white cherry.

3. 2018 Maggy Hawk Edmeades Vineyard White Pinot Noir ($58)

This elegant wine hails from the prestigious Anderson Valley. The bottle opens up with wild strawberries aroma and bright acidity. Subtle vanilla and butter hints accompany the tart fruit flavor notes.

4. 2020 Schug Carneros Estate White Pinot Noir ($42)

This bottle is from the prestigious Schug Carneros Estate winery. It reveals exquisite white wine flavors of stone fruit,  pear, and baked apple with underlayers of rich minerality.

5. 2017 Lichen Estate White Pinot Noir ($34)

This White Pinot Noir wine opens up with wild strawberries hints, followed by a mid-palate of white cherry notes and a rich buttery mouthfeel.

6. 2018 Coelho Winery Coelho Estates White Pinot Noir ($25)

Here we have a wine with rich rainier cherry flavors, herbal hints, and a woody aroma.

7. 2020 Willamette Valley Vineyard Tualatain Estate White Pinot Noir ($25)

This great wine has rich floral aromas, accompanied by savory hints and citrus and melon flavors.

8. 2018 Left Coast Cellars White Pinot Noir ($26)

This is an elegant White Pinot from the Left Coast Cellars winery. The wine boasts a rich pear and citrus flavor profile, enhanced by a wonderful honeyed minerality.

White Pinot Noir Serving and Food Pairings

Serve your favorite White Pinot Noir slightly chilled (around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit.)The wine can be served as an aperitif or paired with white meats, seafood, creamy dishes, and mushrooms.

Savor a Glass of Refreshing Pinot Noir (White or Red!)

White Pinot Noir is a beautiful, unique wine that enchants with its elegant flavors and aromas.

This wine makes a great drink for any celebration, casual gatherings with friends and family, or even as a refreshing drink on a hot summer day.

However, if you’re looking for more investment-worthy wines like red Pinot Noirs, you can check the Vinovest website. Find out how to buy, store, and sell investment-grade wines from around the world.