Do you know Champagne Blanc de Blancs ? A white wine produced only with white grapes. Discover more with Beaux-Vins !
The 16 of September 2016, The apprentice sommelier releases a video on Youtube called " The wine glossary – 1 ". This little video of 3 very well done minutes, explains a few words about wine. Between caudalie, astringent and other Chardonnay, a term aroused in me doubt and the desire to write a new article on Champagne.
Blanc de Blanc does not exist
During the video, The apprentice sommelier explains the term "Blanc de Blanc" to us and this is where the shoe pinches.
This expression is used to describe a Champagne and to determine the grape varieties used in the blend. In that case, this means that it is produced exclusively with white grape varieties - rather simple, no ? —
The Apprentice Sommelier explains that in order to produce a "Champagne, there are three authorized grape varieties : Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay ”. She then adds that when we say Blanc de Blanc, this means that it is made only from Chardonnay.
Long live the Blanc de Blancs !
If you look closely at the bottles of Champagne at your wine merchant or on the shelves of your supermarket, you will notice that few Champagne houses do not use the term "Blanc de Blanc", but prefer " White of whites ". Conversely, we will speak of a "Blanc de Noirs" champagne when it is made only from black grapes with white juice. Would the champenois have fallen on their heads ?
Not at all. In fact, it is our Apprentice Sommelier who still needs to learn before becoming one. The main grape varieties authorized in Champagne :
Pinot Noir
This grape represents nearly 38 % of the area planted in Champagne. It is very present in the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Bar as well as the eastern part of the Marne Valley. It is a black grape variety with white flesh with compact clusters reminiscent of pine cones, hence its name Pinot.
Pinot Noir is characterized by its power, its roundness and complexity. With its peppery and fruity notes, it structures the Champagne.
Pinot Meunier
Pinot Meunier represents nearly 32 % of the area planted in Champagne, mainly located in the Marne Valley. It is called that because small white hairs cover it and make you think of flour.
Chardonnay
This grape represents nearly 29 % of the planted area. It is mainly found in the Côte des Blancs. It is a white grape that gives Champagne freshness and liveliness. In a Champagne for keeping, the Chardonnay will subside over time by becoming rounder, more complex.
The little-known grape varieties authorized in Champagne
You get the point, there is not only 3 grape varieties in Champagne otherwise we wouldn't be talking about Blanc de Blancs… and the three previous grape varieties would represent 100 % of the area planted in Champagne.
We can add to our three main grape varieties, four marginal grape varieties : the Arbane, the Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. They only represent 90 ha throughout the Champagne appellation area, but they exist !
Arbanne
Also called arbenne, arbone, darbanne, albane or urbane… It gives a delicate wine, quality, dry, nervous, very bouquet, properly supplied with alcohol in good years while maintaining good acidity, fit to age.
The Petit Meslier
This grape gives a good quality dry white wine, pleasantly scented, rich in alcohol, end, lively, easily foaming and presenting an aromatic character.
Pinot Blanc
The Pinot Blanc gives Champagne a very fine nose on white fruits and a light and round mouthfeel..
Pinot Gris or Fromenteau
Pinot Gris brings a powerful nose of spices and an opulent mouthfeel followed by a fresh finish.
What a cuvée to discover all these grape varieties ?
The 7 of the Laherte Frères estate
Several centuries ago, our ancestors already cultivated the vine. The working methods were not those currently, and the grape varieties either. These lost grape varieties of Champagne, we found them in our old plots and decided to recreate a plot of yesteryear, in order to taste again what was a Champagne wine there is 250 years…
Assemblage : Terroir of Chavot. Recent plantation. North-East exposure. Deep clay-limestone soil with presence of small pebbles, shale and flint. Chalky subsoil. Repair of grape varieties, about :
- 10% Fromenteau
- 8 % Arbanne
- 14 % Pinot Noir
- 18 % Chardonnay
- 17 % Pinot Blanc
- 18% Pinot Meunier
- 15 % Petit Meslier
- Is Champagne a wine to keep ?
- Do bubbles facilitate drunkenness ?
- How to choose a bottle of Champagne ?
- Does it make sense to serve champagne for dessert ?
Great simple and detailed article !
Hello! Very good article on grape varieties thank you 🙂 however it suggests that a blanc de blancs would only be made from a blend of different white grape varieties… But it's wrong ! A blanc de blancs can only be made from Chardonnay but from different harvests, which explains why “s” 😉
In fact, the so-called grape varieties “old” still remain confidential, which explains why a sommelier can reasonably speak of champagne by evoking only the 3 main grape varieties 😉
Champagnement yours!
Hello Pauline,
thank you for this nice analysis. Indeed, I had not thought of this theory for the presence of the “s” under the name Champagne Blanc de Blancs.
Indeed, one can easily imagine that the plural could come from the blend of vintages, which would justify the “s”.
However, I'm not convinced that's the reason. Proof, a vintage Blanc de Blancs Champagne will be indicated with a plural. To verify this, I visited the website specializing in the sale of Champagnes http://www.enviedechamp.com
Always ready to modify my articles to make them as fair as possible, I remain at your disposal if you have a source indicating the presence of the plural due to the assembly. 🙂
Beautiful day to you
For example, on this image of Champagne Jacquart Blanc de Blancs 2013, we can see the presence of a “S”
