Champagne Grape
Varieties
The grapes of Champagne are primarily
black. About two-thirds of the vineyards grow black
grapes. However, although the skins are black, the juice
is white. The chief grape is Pinot Noir, which make
all the finest red Burgundies. It has difficulty ripening
in Burgundy, any further north in Champagne it almost
never attains any great depth and strength of colour
or alcohol. Which is fair because with the exception
of pink Champagne, or the rare, non sparkling Coteaux
Champenois, the idea is to produce a white sparkling
wine. Very careful pressing of the grapes in enormous
square vertical presses is the best way to draw of the
juice as pale as possible. Even so, the black grape
juice does have a fairly big feel to it, and a Champagne
relying largely on black grapes is certain to be heavier
and take longer to mature.
Example of the Pinot Noir Grape Variety
The other black grape is Pinot Meunier,
which makes a softer, fruitier style, important in producing
easy, forward wines.
 Example
of the Pinot Meunier Grape Variety
The white grape is Chardonnay of white
Burgundy fame. This produces a lighter, fresher juice,
and the resulting Champagnes are certainly the most
perfumed and honeyed. They have been criticized as lacking
depth and ageing potential. Not true good Blanc de Blanc
has a superb, exciting flavour which is only improved
by ageing.
 Example
of the Chardonnay Grape Variety
Guide
to Champagne Styles
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