Blanc de Noir Champagne: How does it get made, the 10 best wines (2023)

Blanc de Noir (French for “white from blacks”) is white Champagne (or sparkling wine) made by red grape varieties.

Traditional Champagne blends comprise three grapes: The black grapes of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and the white grape, Chardonnay.

To create the Blanc de Noir Champagne, winemakers blend Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier or make 100 percent Pinot Noir sparkling wine.

How do you know if white Champagne is made of black grapes? What is the distinction between Blanc de Noir and other Champagne styles?

How is Blanc de Noir Wine Made?

The popular belief is that red wine comes from red grape vines, while white wine always comes from white grapes.

But, the wine of the various grape varieties is white. The red hue typically comes from the skins of the red grape, which contain pigments. When grapes are squeezed by their skins throughout fermentation, these colors are absorbed into the wine, giving it the typical red hue.

When making Blanc de Noir wine, the winemaker takes off the skins of the dark grapes after it has been crushed. This way, the white grape juice ferments and creates white sparkling wine.

The Difference Between Blanc de Noir and Other Champagne Styles

This is the thing that differentiates Blanc de Noir Blanc de Noir from other sparklers:

Blanc de Noir vs Blanc de Blanc

Blanc de Blanc translates to “white of whites,” a sparkling wine with white grape varieties. Blanc de Blancs is usually made exclusively with fruit from the Chardonnay grape vines.

Blanc de Blancs Champagne would be similar in pale yellow hue to Blanc de Noir, but the flavor profile will be very different. Blanc de Blanc is dryer and lighter than Blanc de Noir, which is more fruity and has a thicker texture and more full body.

Blanc de Noir vs Rose Wine

In contrast to Blanc de Noir, which is made solely from red grape juice, rose wine is produced by keeping the berries of red grapes on the table with liquid throughout the maceration process. The grape’s pigment skin spills into the liquid, giving it a pale pink hue.

The intensity of the color is determined by how long the grape skins have been kept in contact with the juice. In general, maceration should not last more than a couple of hours to achieve a light rose hue.

Blanc de Noir Champagnes can differ in flavor depending on the sweetness level, aging potential, and classification.

Let’s examine each of these components so you can pick the perfect Blanc de Noir for your taste.

How to Pick the Right Blanc de Noir Champagne

Just like you would with other Champagnes, you should consider the following factors when choosing your Blanc de Noir Champagne as well:

Aging

The Champagne aging period defines the final flavor profile. After the méthode champenoise fermentation in the bottle, the grower ages the Champagne on its lees to get its distinct toasty and nutty flavor.

Vintage and non-vintage Blanc de Noir Champagnes have different aging time frames:

Non-vintage Champagnes matured for at least 15 months in the tirage (on its lees) and are more refreshing.

Vintage Champagnes are aged for at least three years in tirage and are made from grapes of one vintage. They have a rich texture and more distinct notes of yeast.

Classification

On the Champagne label, look out for the Champagne region vineyard classification as well. This is an excellent indicator of the wine quality.

Grand Cru: There are just 17 Grand Cru vineyard plots within the Champagne region. These are the parcels of land that yield the finest quality grapes.

Premier Cru: The Premier Cru appellations are 42 in number. They also grow grapes of top quality.

Autre Cru: These are other vineyards that also produce high-quality Champagnes but aren’t classed as Grand and Premier Crus.

Blanc de Noir Taste and Food Pairings

Blanc de Noir Champagnes are full-bodied and fruity. Pinot Meunier lends a distinct red fruit flavor and freshness, while the Pinot Noir grapes give it more citrusy notes.

Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs are more sophisticated, with taste notes of lemon, apple, and honey.

Blanc de Noir Champagnes are great with various seafood, aperitifs lea,n meats, and grilled salmon.

So, what are those Blanc de Noirs you should keep an eye out for in 2023?

Best Blanc de Noir Champagne to Buy in 2023 (Includes Prices, Tasting Notes)

Here are our ten favorite Blanc de Noir Champagnes:

Krug Clos d’Ambonnay Blanc de Noirs Brut 1995

This exquisite Krug Blanc de Noir Champagne is made exclusively with Pinot Noir grapes. A baked apple pie-tasting note and caramel undertones accompany the creamy texture and gentle mousse. The finish is long and rich with hints of minerality.

This exceptional Blanc de Noir Champagne offers an intense richness and opulent fruit bouquet of lemon, stone fruit, and apple. The palate reveals almond and brioche-tasting notes complemented by a creamy texture and crisp acidity.

Should You Invest in Blanc de Noir Champagne?

Some of the finest Blanc de Noirs from Champagne brands like Krug, Bollinger, Armand de Brignac, and Billecart-Salmon have excellent investment potential.

In the first place, Blanc de Noir and other Champagne styles have an excellent longevity of 20 years, sometimes even more. You can find them in your cellar.

Le Clos Saint Hilaire from Billecart Salmon Blanc de Noirs Brût 2003 shot from $293 to $460 (57 percent) throughout 2020-2021. Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises Blanc de Noirs 1996, too, saw a price increase from 2020 to 2021, from 1 to 2,429 dollars ( an increase of 67.)

Some Blanc de Noir Champagnes’ small production volumes also make them more expensive. For instance, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay Blanc de Noirs is only released in small batches of just 5,000 bottles yearly, making it a highly sought-after collectible. In the same way, the smallest number of bottles from the Armand de Brignac 2015 vintage Blanc de Noirs were ever released.

In 2014, two six-bottle lots of Krug Clos d’Ambonnay Blanc de Noirs 1995 were auctioned off at a staggering $22,000 at the Hart Davis Hart auction in Chicago. 2 bottles of Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises Blanc de Noirs 1988 were auctioned off at an auction in London auction held in the year 2014, for 840 dollars each.

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