Varietal Article
Champagne Blend
Last edited on 3/31/2010 by Frabjous
There are 16 versions of this article (version 7 of 16) / View version history
The typical champagne blend is of three grapes - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Wines labeled as 'Blanc de Blancs' are by definition all Chardonnay, and wines labeled as 'Blanc de Noirs' contain Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier or both in the blend.
There are how ever three addtional grape varieties planted (Arbane, Petit Meslier and Pinot Blanc) and used in Champagne, they could be called legacy grapes and do not represent significant portion of the grapes used (<0.01%?). It is not permitted to plant more of these varieties.
Vins Pettillant, or sparkling wines, made in the Loire valley, specifically Saumur, are made from Cabernet Franc grapes; the Rosé Pettilant wines are allowed to rest on the skins for a very short time (<=24 hours) which gives them their hint of rose color.
An interesting fact about Bouvet-Ladubay (a Vins Pettillant of Saumur) is that the caves under the facility are made from blocks of limestone having been cut out of the mountain by monks over the centuries. The blocks were then used to build many (all?) of the Grand Chateaux along the Loire. Also, the owner of Bouvet-Ladubay invented a machine for turning entire pallets of bottles daily without human intervention.
There are how ever three addtional grape varieties planted (Arbane, Petit Meslier and Pinot Blanc) and used in Champagne, they could be called legacy grapes and do not represent significant portion of the grapes used (<0.01%?). It is not permitted to plant more of these varieties.
Vins Pettillant, or sparkling wines, made in the Loire valley, specifically Saumur, are made from Cabernet Franc grapes; the Rosé Pettilant wines are allowed to rest on the skins for a very short time (<=24 hours) which gives them their hint of rose color.
An interesting fact about Bouvet-Ladubay (a Vins Pettillant of Saumur) is that the caves under the facility are made from blocks of limestone having been cut out of the mountain by monks over the centuries. The blocks were then used to build many (all?) of the Grand Chateaux along the Loire. Also, the owner of Bouvet-Ladubay invented a machine for turning entire pallets of bottles daily without human intervention.