The Most Common Grapes Used to Make Champagne

The Champagne area in northeastern France makes the world’s top sparkling wine. It’s key grapes are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These grapes give Champagne its special taste. Chardonnay brings in freshness, Pinot Noir offers flavors and structure, while Pinot Meunier gives a hint of red berries.

There is more than 25,000 acres of Chardonnay grapes in Champagne, which is less than 5% of the total. Pinot Noir covers over 32,000 acres, making it the most common type. Pinot Meunier grows on about 26,000 acres. These grapes are carefully grown to reflect the Champagne terroir. This effort helps create the unique taste and feel of Champagne.

Four more grape types are allowed in the Champagne region – Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier, and Arbane. But together, they are less than 0.3% of all grapes there. In 2021, Voltis, a new grape, was allowed. It can be up to 10% of the blend. It’s a white grape resistant to fungi.

Key Takeaways

• Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier account for nearly 99% of Champagne’s grape plantings.
• Pinot Noir is the most widely planted variety in the Champagne region, covering over 32,000 acres.
• The Champagne region also permits the use of four lesser-known grape varieties, known as the “forgotten four.”
• In 2021, Champagne producers were allowed to start planting Voltis, a new white, fungus-resistant hybrid grape.
• The three main Champagne grapes are meticulously cultivated to capture the essence of the region’s unique terroir.

Introduction to Champagne Grapes

The Champagne region in northeastern France is famous for its sparkling wine. It has 84,000 acres of vineyards. These vineyards sit on a special type of land known as champagne terroir. This land has chalky soils, rocky slopes, and different climates.

Brief Overview of the Champagne Region

In Champagne, the types of grapes used are very important. The main grapes are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. They work hard to show the land’s beauty in every glass. By combining these grapes, they create the unique taste of Champagne.

Importance of Grape Varieties in Champagne Production

Making Champagne takes a lot of effort, especially in choosing and growing the right grapes. Each kind of grape adds something special to the wine. These special wines are known as grand cru Champagne.

Chardonnay: The Flagship White Grape

Chardonnay is the top white grape in Champagne, with over 25,000 acres. The grapes have flavors of flowers and citrus. They can also be complex and last long due to Champagne’s special environment.

Characteristics and Flavors

Champagnes made with Chardonnay are called Blanc de Blancs. They are loved for their crispness and style. This grape helps develop a Champagne’s structure and freshness.

Role in Blanc de Blancs Champagnes

Blanc de Blancs wines only use Chardonnay, showing its versatility. They have a sleek, mineral quality. It demonstrates how well Chardonnay captures Champagne’s unique flavor.

Pinot Noir: The Most Widely Planted Variety

Pinot Noir is the top grape in Champagne, with over 32,000 acres grown. This is even more than its home in Burgundy. It loves Champagne’s cool, chalky lands. This makes wines with a special red fruit smell and a full taste.

Flavor Profile and Structure

In Champagne, Pinot Noir adds a lot. It makes the famous blanc de noirs sparkling wines special. Thanks to Pinot Noir, these sparkling wines are not too acidic. They get a smooth feeling.

Contribution to Blanc de Noirs Champagnes

Blanc de Noirs Champagnes are all about Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. They are known for deep flavors and getting better with time. Pinot Noir gives these red grape sparkling wines their unique taste and structure.

Pinot Meunier: The Rising Star

Pinot Meunier is a variation of the Pinot Noir grape. It’s a key part of Champagne blends, grown on about 26,000 acres in the region. While once mainly a blending grape, Pinot Meunier is now praised for adding unique red berry flavors and a full body to Champagne.

Distinctive Berry Flavors

Pinot Meunier gives Champagne vivid fruity tastes like raspberries and strawberries. These flavors, along with its full, soft feel, perfectly balance the wine’s sharpness. This creates a rich and well-rounded wine.

Increasing Popularity in 100% Meunier Champagnes

Recently, we’ve seen more Champagnes made solely from Pinot Meunier. These stand out for being both complex and able to age well. Names like José Michel, Moussé Fils, and Salmon have boosted Pinot Meunier Champagnes. They show how important and versatile this grape is for winemaking in the region.

most common champagne grapes

The three top grape types for Champagne making are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. They make up almost all of the grapes grown in the area. Together, they give Champagne its special taste with the right mix of acidity, structure, and fruity flavor.

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier

Chardonnay is the main white grape. It’s grown on over 25,000 acres. Pinot Noir is the top red grape and is on more than 32,000 acres. Pinot Meunier, a kind of red grape, grows on about 26,000 acres.

Dominance in Champagne Production

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier are key in Champagne. They show how the grape types blend with the land to make unique tastes. Together, they highlight what makes Champagne different and loved worldwide.

The Forgotten Four: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier, and Arbane

Four lesser-known grapes are allowed in the Champagne region along with the well-known ones. These are Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier, and Arbane. They are known as the “forgotten four.” Even though they have a long history in the region, they are rare now, making up less than 0.3% of champagne’s production. Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris come from the Pinot Noir grape. Meanwhile, Petit Meslier and Arbane are unique with their own special taste.

Historical Background

These unique grapes bring something special to Champagne. Some wine producers are starting to use them more. This is because they can help make the wine better, especially with changes in the weather. The pinot blanc grapes, pinot gris grapes, petit meslier grapes, and arbane grapes have been part of the Champagne area for a long time. However, fewer and fewer of these grapes are being grown.

Unique Characteristics and Flavors

Each grape type brings its own unique flavor to the wine. For example, Pinot Blanc adds a floral scent. Pinot Gris gives the wine a rich fruity taste. Petit Meslier is very sharp and tastes like vegetables. And Arbane is known for its strong acidity and earthy taste. Though these grapes are not used much, they can really improve Champagne. Some winemakers are trying to use them more.

The “forgotten four” grapes cover about 90 hectares in Champagne. This is only a tiny part of the area’s 34,400 hectares. Yet, more and more, they are being used by some winemakers. They are discovering the unique value that these grapes bring to Champagne.

Voltis: The New Addition to Champagne Grapes

In 2021, Champagne makers began planting a new grape, Voltis. It’s white and resistant to certain fungi. It’s the result of a project by INRA in France and Germany’s Julius Kühn Institute. This was to help winemakers handle climate change better. Voltis can be up to 10% of a blend right now. This move shows Champagne’s commitment to quality and variety even with a changing climate.

Voltis is the first PIWI grape to be part of an AOC’s rules. In Champagne, it can’t cover more than 5% of a maker’s land or over 10% of the blend. Before Voltis can be used, it gets a ten-year check. Only after 2028 can Voltis be part of a champagne mix, and that’s from 2030 onwards.

With climate change affecting the Champagne area, new grapes like Voltis are crucial. They help keep the quality and variety of the famous sparkling wines. Choosing the right new grapes is very important for Champagne wine production to stay sustainable.

Grape Selection and Terroir

The Champagne region’s diverse terroir influences grape varieties and Champagne styles. It has chalky soils, limestone slopes, and different microclimates. Producers choose the right grapes considering soil, sun, and temperature.

Chardonnay grows well in mineral-rich, clay soils. On the other hand, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are best in cooler, chalky areas. Matching grapes to the Champagne terroir is key. It helps create the world-famous, rich Champagnes from this region.

Influence of Soil and Climate

The varied Champagne terroir affects grape growth. It has diverse soils, slopes, and climates. Producers must choose grapes carefully. This ensures the best Champagne quality.

Matching Grapes to Terroir

Champagne producers select grapes that match their terroir. This creates the best Champagne styles. Attention to detail marks the region’s grand cru wines. Each bottle reflects the Champagne vineyards’ essence.

Climate Change and its Impact on Champagne Grapes

The Champagne region is facing climate change’s impacts. It’s getting warmer, with less water and harvests starting earlier. Champagne producers are working hard to maintain the quality and taste of their sparkling wine.

Challenges Faced by Producers

Data from Climate Ai startup shows that the types of grapes used for Champagne are in danger. By 2050, these grapes might not grow well anymore. This means about 85% of today’s vineyards might not be good anymore for growing Champagne grapes.

Adapting Winemaking Techniques

Champagne makers are now looking at other grape varieties to cope. They are working with grapes like Pinot Blanc and Arbane that are naturally more acidic. This acidity helps to balance flavors in the wine.

They are also changing how they make Champagne. Techniques such as using less sugar, stopping a certain fermentation, and even growing new grapes that are disease-resistant are being used. This is all to keep the special taste of Champagne, even with climate change challenges.

Grapes in Rosé Champagne Production

Traditional Champagnes mainly use Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. But, rosé champagne has its unique touch. It relies more on the red grapes, especially Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Maceration and Blending Techniques

One way to make rosé champagne is through maceration. This means soaking Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes to get a pink-red color. Alternatively, producers may mix white and red grapes. They might add a bit of red wine to give it the perfect rosé shade.

Contributions of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier

Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are key in creating rosé champagne‘s taste. They add body, structure, and red fruit flavors. Choosing and blending these grapes is the secret to making top rosé champagnes. These have become favorites among those who love fine wines.

Champagne Grapes and Other Wine Regions

Grape types like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Champagne aren’t just limited to there. You can find them in places like Burgundy too. Chardonnay thrives in Burgundy while Pinot Noir is popular in cooler areas.

Crossover of Grape Varieties

These grapes crossing into various regions show how many wines can come from them. Chardonnay, great for white wines, is key in Burgundy’s sparkling ones. Pinot Noir is crucial in Champagne, proving its important role in wine making.

Distinct Champagne Winemaking Practices

Yet, what really makes Champagne stand out are its special making methods. This includes fermenting again in the bottle and its certain yeasts. It ages longer too. These aspects, along with the region’s land, create Champagne’s unmatched taste and complexity.

So, while other places use the same grapes, the magic is in Champagne’s unique blend of land and tradition.

Conclusion

The Champagne region is famous for making top-quality sparkling wines. It’s in northeastern France. The grapes there give each wine a special taste.

The main grapes used are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. They make up most of what’s grown there. Four other types can be added too, for more variety.

Climate change is a big issue for the Champagne region. It’s changing how they grow grapes and make wine. Despite this, they work hard to keep making excellent sparkling wines. They mix the grapes carefully and use special ways to make wine. This is why Champagne is known all over the world.

They know how important the grapes and where they’re grown are. So, they make sure each bottle of Champagne is just right. This hard work keeps Champagne as a world leader in great sparkling wine. They want this tradition to continue for a long time.