Blanc de Blancs

In Champagne, three grape varieties have been selected for their complimentary characteristics.

1. Pinot Noir - a black grape with white juice, provides power and generosity

2. Pinot Meunier - a black grape with white juice, adds bouquet and fruitiness

3. Chardonnay – a white grape, adds finesse and elegance, ideal for Champagnes to keep

The denomination ‘Champagne Blanc de Blancs’ indicates to you that the champagne is made only from Chardonnay. In the same context, there exists the ‘Champagnes Blanc de noir’ which are made only from Pinot.

To produce a Champagne from a single grape variety implies that it will be impossible to play with the complexities of the other grape varieties.

The Pinot Noir or Chardonnay must be of the highest quality. Hence Blancs de Noirs and Blancs de Blancs often come from the best soil: the Grand Crus.

The great white Grand Crus come from the Cote des Blancs: planted exclusively with Chardonnay, this region extends from Epernay down to as far as Vertus. These grapes are sought by the big champagne houses to use in their Prestige Cuvées.

Grand Crus

On the rating of Crus between 80 to 100%, the highest appellation is Grand Cru (100%), followed by 1er Cru (90 to 99%). The remaining vineyards are unclassified appellation champagnne.

This rating of crus serves also to determine the grape price per kilo between the vineyards and the buyers.

Champagne is the only region where they speak in kilos and not in litres.