The style of most Champagnes relies on the amount of three key grape varieties within the blend: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
Grape Varieties
Chardonnay: This grape represents 26% of total plantings in the region. Chardonnay adds finesse and elegance to the Champagne, giving citrus and floral characters that become nutty with age.
Pinot Noir: This grape represents 36% of plantings in the Champagne region, and adds backbone, structure and depth to the blend.
Pinot Meunier: This grape represents 38% of plantings int he region and adds a fruity character to the blend, and is often viewed as the lesser quality of the three varieties.
Styles
Blanc de Blancs (white wine from white grapes)
Only one of these varieties is a white grape (Chardonnay) so when a Champagne is referred to as a ‘blanc de blancs’, it means that it is made entirely from Chardonnay. the style of this is light, clean and crisp.
Blanc de Noirs (white wine from black grapes)
This style of Champagne is made entirely from the two black grape varieties; Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The style of this can be richer and deeper than that of blanc de blancs champagne.
Rose
This style can be achieved by blending together red and white base wines. Pink champagne is the only rose quality wine which can be made in this manner.
|
