Ever Wonder? What is Blanc de Noirs?

Have you ever seen a bottle of sparkling wine that has “Blanc de Noirs” on the label and wondered what it is?

Here are a few facts about Blanc de Noirs:

  • Blanc de Noirs is a term from the Champagne region in France. It is used to refer to champagne produced entirely from black (noir) grapes Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier.

  • Blanc de Noirs means literally 'white of blacks' since the resulting color of this type of Champagne is white.

  • The reason that Blanc de Noirs is white is because the clear juice of the Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier grapes is immediately separated from the black skins of the grapes. If the juice had been left in contact with the skins during fermentation, you’d get a typical red wine color.

  • Blanc de Noirs is different from the majority of champagnes that are made with a traditional blend of white and red grapes, usually Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

  • It is also different from Blanc de Blancs champagne, which is produced from Chardonnay. Other grapes such as Pinot Blanc and Arbane are also permitted to be used, as well as a number of other varieties, but they are less common.

  • Blanc de Noirs champagnes are typically richer, fruiter and more full-bodied than regular Champagne and Blanc de Blancs.

  • Blanc de Noirs sparkling wines are produced in the Champagne region's more southerly vineyards.

  • Blanc de Noir sparkling wines are made in the Champagne region of France using the traditional ‘Methode Champenoise’ where the secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle.

  • There is no legal requirement to identify a Champagne made from red grapes as being a Blanc de Noirs - it’s up to the maker to decide if they want to call it Blanc de Noirs or simply Champagne.

So, next time you see Blanc de Noirs you’ll know it’s made entirely from black grapes! Cheers!

Wine Fun Fact: Blanc de Blanc versus Blanc de Noir

Having just wrapped up the holiday season when a lot of Champagne and sparkling wines are enjoyed, I came across a Blanc de Blanc Champagne. At first it seems that ‘Blanc de Blanc” is just a fancy name for a French Champagne. But, this is just another example of something in the wine world that is seemly complex or confusing that is really rather simple.

If you took high school French, which I didn’t, you’d know that ‘Blanc de Blanc’ literately translates as ‘White from White.” Okay, you might ask, but what does that have to do with Champagne? The answer to that question requires a very quick review of how Champagne is produced. French Champagne is traditionally produced from three grapes - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (Pee-noh Mehr-n'yay). The Chardonnay is a white grape, while the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes are black.

So, you may have already gotten ahead of me. A ‘Blanc de Blanc’ or ‘White from White’ means that this type of Champagne is made solely from white grapes, namely Chardonnay.

Conversely, a ‘Blanc de Noir’ simple translates as ‘White from Black.’ Thus, it is a Champagne made from black grapes - Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. And, as we’ve learned, the juice from all grapes is clear - it’s the grape skins that give it the red color. So, in a ‘Blanc de Noir’ the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes are pressed but the juice is not given any time in contact with the dark grape skins and therefore remain ‘white.’

So, in summary, you can have Champagne in three different styles:

  • Traditional Champagne - Produced with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier

  • Blanc de Blanc Champagne - Produced with Chardonnay

  • Blanc de Noir Champagne - Produced with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier

Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Blanc de Noir

Left Coast Blanc de Noir.jpeg

2013 Left Coast Estate Blanc de Noir ($55)

Here’s just the bubbly for the holidays.

This Left Coast Estate Blanc de Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir (one of the components of French Champagne). It is fermented in 100% Stainless Steel to preserve the bright flavors then aged by the Méthode traditionnelle (bottle fermented) for 4.5 years.

Left Coast states that “This wine will deliver your pallet on a journey of crisp acidity, an array of flavors of apple and pear accented with floral notes and summer grasses, and rounding off with a rich, yeasty and subtle finish.”

Their Winemaker’s Tasting Notes say “This pale yellow sparkling wine displays aromas of yellow apple, subtle lavender and biscuit. This wine will deliver your pallet on a journey of crisp acidity, an array of flavors of apple and pear accented with floral notes and summer grasses, and rounding off with a rich, yeasty and subtle finish.”

I say this Left Coast Blanc de Noir is absolutely superb!

This is a limited production of just 135 cases. And, it received a score of 91 from Wine Enthusiast (Chosen as a “Celler Selection” for being a special bottle that will stand the test of tim). So, look carefully for this one and enjoy. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Left Coast Estate winery