Culture Actuality

The other side of the myth: the Champagne Blanc de Noirs

As day is opposed to night, so can be two sides of the coin of a Champagne "in purity". If, in fact, the use of 100% Chardonnay grapes gives life to the Champagne Blanc de Blancs, from black grape varieties a Champagne Blanc de Noirs comes to light. Between these two different twins, nothing changes in principle in the general definition. As regards substance, however, the speech changes radically.

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The Champagne Blanc de Noirs, in fact, sees Pinot Noir and Meunier as its protagonists - the other two grape kinds that define the success of the sparkling wine from Reims and its surroundings. If the first has its origins in the areas of the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Bars, the second comes from the Vallée de la Marne.

Different types of Champagne Blanc de Noirs

The combinations in a Champagne Blanc de Noirs can be different and multiple: you go from taking individually the two grape varieties, to a blend involving them both. Even in this case, each producer has his secret and his recipe, and the chefs de cave skillfully dose their bases when it comes to finding the right balance in the blend between the two grape varieties. This is how the Champagnes Blanc de Noirs take on their specific and particular character: what distinguishes them from the others is, in fact, a greater structure and complexity.

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Many may be the faces of this lively spectrum. From the historical roots of Joseph Perrier Champagne Blanc de Noirs Cuvée Royale Nature - a 100% Pinot Noir, which comes to life from an exclusive selection of grapes harvested in Cumières, in a plot (lieu-dit) known as La Côte à Brase belonging to the family since 1865. Equally unique is Gosset Champagne Grand Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut: a novelty of the House, also the fruit of 100% Pinot Noir grapes from the finest Crus of Ambonnay, Aÿ, Verzy and Chigny-les-Roses, as well as praise of elegance in limited production. On the other hand, the ambition is to combine the best of the different terroirs that make up the area of the Montagne de Reims: Philipponnat Champagne Blanc de Noirs Millésime is another ode to Pinot Noir, more specifically the one from the villages of Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ.

Champagne Blanc de Noirs: the philosophy

Beware, however, if we talk about superior quality: the Vignerons certainly do not remain at the window even when it comes to a Champagne Blanc de Noirs. "The best wine is produced from the best grapes": this is the philosophy on which the Frédéric Savart Champagne Blanc de Noirs Ouverture Premier Cru relies - fresh bubbles, fine and immediate, 100% Pinot Noir from Ecueil and Villiers-aux-Noeuds. He is no less the R.H. Coutier Champagne Blanc de Noirs Cuvée Henry III Grand Cru: coming from Ambonnay, it is a seductive assemblage of different harvests and an inimitable tribute to the favorite homeland of Pinot Noir. When it comes to Champagne Blanc de Noirs, however, it wouldn’t be fair not to mention Marie-Noelle Ledru: the lady of Pinot Noir. She is a true standard-bearer of the vine, and also one of the absolute protagonists in the Grand Cru of the Montagne de Reims, thanks to the gentle touch that she manages to give to her Marie-Noelle Ledru Champagne Blanc de Noirs Cuvée de Goulté Grand Cru.

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