Blanc de Noirs Champagne

Blanc de Noirs Champagne is the full-bodied, expressive, and powerful counterpart to Blanc de Blancs. This Champagne is made from red grapes, usually Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier, but vinified as a white wine. The result is a rich, aromatic, and often slightly rounder and fruitier style with considerable depth. At Perfecte Wijn, you'll find Blanc de Noirs varieties ranging from robust aperitif wines to impressive vintage cuvées.

What is Blanc de Noirs?

Blanc de Noirs means "white from black" and refers to white Champagne made from red grapes . In Champagne, these are almost always Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier . Because the juice from these grapes is colorless, a soft pressing can produce a white wine without any red color. This method produces Champagnes with more structure, power, and ripe fruit than Blanc de Blancs .

Origin and vineyards

Blanc de Noirs originates primarily from vineyards where Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier thrive. Key areas include:

• Montagne de Reims – famous for its powerful Pinot Noir and its high concentration.
• Vallée de la Marne – the domain of Pinot Meunier, which provides roundness and fruitiness.
• Côte des Bar (Aube) – Further south and warmer, ideal for riper, expressive Pinot Noir.

These regions boast chalk, limestone, and clay soils that create a perfect balance between ripeness and freshness. Blanc de Noirs wines from Montagne de Reims are known for their muscular structure, while the Meunier-dominated style from Vallée de la Marne is rounder and softer.

Style and vinification

Blanc de Noirs has a richer, deeper style than Blanc de Blancs. The color is usually pale gold or light straw yellow, sometimes with a subtle copper or amber hue due to aging.
The aroma is characterized by:

• ripe red and black fruit (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry)
• subtle herbs
• toast and brioche through long bottle aging

Pinot Noir provides power, structure, and length; Pinot Meunier adds juiciness and fruitiness. Like all Champagnes, Blanc de Noirs are produced using the traditional method , with a second fermentation in the bottle and extended aging on the lees for refinement and a sparkling finish. Want to learn more about how those bubbles develop in sparkling wines? Then check out this blog post.

Storage and serving

Thanks to its fuller structure, Blanc de Noirs has excellent aging potential. Non-vintage varieties often keep for three to five years, while vintage Blanc de Noirs can age for fifteen years or longer, developing notes of honey, hazelnut, and brioche.
Serve Blanc de Noirs at 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in a tulip-shaped glass for optimal expression of both fruit and structure. Preferably not in a flute.

Buy Blanc de Noirs at Perfectewijn.nl

At Perfecte Wijn, you'll find Blanc de Noirs Champagne in various styles: from fruity, Pinot Meunier-dominant varieties to powerful, Pinot Noir-driven cuvées from Montagne de Reims or Côte des Bar. Ideal as a gourmet Champagne and a wonderful accompaniment to richer meals.