Spatium Pinot Blanc

The Pinot Blanc of Europe will meet on 29th and 30th August in the wine municipality of Appiano in South Tyrol, on the occasion of "Spatium Pinot Blanc 2014". The two–day exhibition includes a rich program of events dedicated entirely to Pinot Blanc and designed for both experts of the wine industry and wine lovers. "Spatium Pinot Blanc" is an event organized by Vineum Appiano, in collaboration with the Laimburg Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry.


The presence of Pinot Blanc has been attested for the first time by a written record of the fourteenth century. Recent research has shown that varieties coming from Burgundy may have been grown two thousand years ago. Pinot Blanc has a long and rich history in the viticulture of South Tyrol: the chronicles tell, in effect, that the first to cultivate this variety in Alto Adige was the Archduke Giovanni of Austria in 1852.

The largest wine–producing area in Europe for Pinot Blanc is currently in Germany, with about 4,500 cultived hectares. Other important areas for the cultivation of this variety are located in France, Italy and Austria. Pinot Blanc has acquired, in the past years, a place of primary importance in the economy of South Tyrol wine growing, both in terms of quantity produced and of consideration and prestige. To date, the cultivated area amounts to 515 hectares, a number which is however increasing. Also noteworthy is that, a few years ago, Pinot Blanc has become part of the top varieties in South Tyrol: a factor that will certainly contribute to a further growth.

This is the context that led to the organization, right in South Tyrol, of an event for the first time entirely devoted to Pinot Blanc, which is "Spatium Pinot Blanc". In particular, the event will be held in Appiano, a wine area that seems to be predestined for the cultivation of Pinot Blanc: the quality of this wine is guaranteed, in effect, only in the presence of areas with favorable and sunny exposures, preferably with deep soils, rich in limestone and with an adequate moisture.

"Spatium Pinot Blanc" is a meeting point for producers and for fans of Pinot Blanc from all over Europe. "To date, more than 40 farmers from South Tyrol and more than 30 international ones have confirmed their presence at the event. Among them, the best representatives of the wine scene of Friuli Venezia Giulia, of Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Alsace, " Peter Brigl of Vineum Appiano highlighted.

The first day of the event, Friday, August 29th, is dedicated to industry experts with presentations of many specialists including Erika Maul of the Institute for Viticulture in Geilweilerhof ("The Burgundy: origins, genetic and historical context of Pinot Blanc") and Florian Haas of the Laimburg Reseach Center for Agriculture and Forestry ("Research Project on Pinot Blanc by the Laimburg Center"). The day of Friday, also includes a round table titled "Pinot Blanc, Quo Vadis?", To be attended by Gianni Fabrizio (editor of the Gambero Rosso guide), Frank Smulders (Master of Wine), Ignaz Niedrist (producer of South Tyrol), Klaus Gasser (sales manager of the Terlano Winery), Andrea Fenoglio ("Sissi" restaurant of Merano, Michelin–starred), Hans Terzer (oenologist of South Tyrol), Otto Geisel (wine expert, author and member of the "Grand Jury Européen ") and Ulrich Pedri (head of the "Oenology" sector of the Laimburg Research Center). The afternoon program includes Masterclass guided tastings.

"Saturday, August 30th, however, is the day dedicated to all lovers of wine, who are invited to attend the event on a journey to discover the world of Pinot Blanc. Saturday’s program includes, in effect, an international tasting accompanied by a rich gastronomic offer", Brigl concluded. During the two–day event, a total of 100 of the best Pinot Blanc in Europe will be presented.

For more information and to view the detailed program of "Spatium Pinot Blanc" you can visit the website: www.spatium–pinotblanc.it

The "Spatium Pinot Blanc" event is organized by the Vineum Appiano Association in collaboration with the Laimburg Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, with the support of the municipality of Appiano, of Cassa Raiffeisen Oltradige, of the South Tyrol Export Organization, of Vini Alto Adige, as well as of the Department of Agriculture and of the Oltradige/Bassa Tesina Territorial Community.