Champagne grapes include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. We know a lot about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. But Pinot Meunier? Today, we’re going to explore this grape. Thank you to The Grape Grind , Wine Folly and Wine Maker Mag for their help with this article.
Pinot Meunier
About the Grape
Pinot Meunier, also called Meunier, is a light and aromatic red variety with a good amount of “juicy” fruit. It is closely related to Pinot Noir, so it pairs well with Pinot Noir-friendly dishes like pork, roast duck, mushrooms and grilled vegetables.
In comparison to Pinot Noir, Meunier has fewer earth/mushroom notes and more floral spice notes.
The grape is bone-dry with medium-light body, medium-high acidity and low tannins.
The alcohol content is low – at 10–11.5% ABV.
Chik Brenneman and his wife traveled to the Champagne region of France and wrote a great article for Wine Maker Mag. In it, he tells us that “Meunier…is a…grape with indented leaves with what appears to be white powder on the underside, and to a lesser extent, the top of the leaves. The white powder resembles flour and Meunier translates to “miller” in French. The powdery appearance is actually fine white hairs, and depending on the Meunier clone, the degree of hairiness can vary.” He goes on to say that Pinot Meunier, also known as just Menuier, is the fruit and acid component in Champagne.
How Does Meunier Taste?
- Tart cherry
- Pomegranate
- Potting Soil
- Mushroom
- Rose
- Cranberry
- Raspberry
- Forest floor
- Baking spices
The grape is described as fresh, floral and fruity.
A Wonderful Discovery at Argyle Winery
Argyle Winery offers some of the best sparkling wines in the world. I was thrilled to get to taste their Knudsen Vineyard Sparkling Pinot Meunier.
Argyle’s 2020 Knudsen Vineyard Sparkling Pinot Meunier
It was beyond delicious. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend that you do so. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Cheers!