It is traditionally said that there are three grape varieties in Champagne, chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, two red and one white. On the champagne tour we just recently did, we had the opportunity to get to know them, we tasted single grape champagnes of all three grape varieties, light elegant chardonnay, full-bodied, vinous pinot noir, and fruity, charming pinot meunier (or just “meunier” as it is sometimes called).
But, as is almost always the case with wine, a truth is often one “with modification”.
The three grapes are really only two, pinot noir and pinot meunier are genetically the same grape variety (but they certainly taste different). But, says the one who’s looked at the details, there are four more grapes!
Yes, pinot blanc, pinot gris, arbane and petit meslier, so there are seven grapes in champagne. But these four make up far less than one percent of the area so the chance of finding them is slim.
But then there is a new grape: voltis, a “hybrid” allowed since 2021, but only as an experiment on a very limited area and thus nothing available to taste in a long time. In other words, eight (!) grapes.
But it doesn’t stop there, they have also recently allowed chardonnay rosé, so there are actually nine grape varieties in Champagne.
Or three, if you like. Easier to remember and closer to reality. And you will get a deep dive into all three on the wine tour in Champagne. Join us on this adventure.
Come on a wine tour to Champagne with us.
Book now!
- Champagne, September 27 — October 1, 2023 (next year’s dates coming soon)
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And also: We have written an internationally award-winning book on Champagne, so you can hardly get a better guide to the region.
