Blanc De Noir

[JBrochu]

Would any red grape variety made into a white technically be a Blanc De Noir? I’ve recently come across Cab Sav and a Carignan whites, both labeled as Blanc De Noir, and it surprised me.

[Otto_Forsberg]

Would any red grape variety made into a white technically be a Blanc De Noir? I’ve recently come across Cab Sav and a Carignan whites, both labeled as Blanc De Noir, and it surprised me.

No. You can’t make “blanc” from teinturier grapes, which yield red juice. Also intensely pigmented varieties like Vinhão might be impossible to make into a blanc de noir (=white wine from black grapes).

Others, yes.

[K_John_Joseph]

But can you make a blanc de blancs from whites other than Chard, Arbanne, and pinot blanc? Can you even technically make a blanc de blancs if your chard comes from somewhere outside of the cotes des blancs in champagne? A more fun question.

[JBrochu]

But can you make a blanc de blancs from whites other than Chard, Arbanne, and pinot blanc? Can you even technically make a blanc de blancs if your chard comes from somewhere outside of the cotes des blancs in champagne? A more fun question.

I would not consider it a blanc de blanc if it was made outside cotes des blancs. I don’t think anybody would, right?

[Al_Osterheld]

I don’t think it’s a protected designation.

-Al

[Marcus_Goodfellow]

But can you make a blanc de blancs from whites other than Chard, Arbanne, and pinot blanc? Can you even technically make a blanc de blancs if your chard comes from somewhere outside of the cotes des blancs in champagne? A more fun question.

I would not consider it a blanc de blanc if it was made outside cotes des blancs. I don’t think anybody would, right?

It’s not a geographical term. It simply refers to white wine from white grapes. Most regions would consider it an un-necessary redundancy, since few other regions make white wine from red grapes. The only reason you need the clarification of blanc de blancs is if you also make blanc de noirs.

But that situation arises in any area that makes sparkling from white and red grapes.

While the French could choose to criticize other regions for “appropriating” the term, it’s a sign of Champagnes importance and influence to have other regions use their production terminology(while protecting geography) and good business as well.

[JBrochu]

Thanks Marcus. I thought it meant white wine made from white grapes from the cotes des blancs.

[Mike_Evans]

Thanks Marcus. I thought it meant white whine made from white grapes from the cotes des blancs.

Looking in CT, I see crémants from Alsace, Burgundy, Jura, and the Loire labeled as blanc de blancs.

[Otto_Forsberg]

But can you make a blanc de blancs from whites other than Chard, Arbanne, and pinot blanc? Can you even technically make a blanc de blancs if your chard comes from somewhere outside of the cotes des blancs in champagne? A more fun question.

I would not consider it a blanc de blanc if it was made outside cotes des blancs. I don’t think anybody would, right?

Not anybody? Honestly, a weird view, seeing how most Blanc de Blancs Champagnes come from the larger Champagne region, not just from Côte des Blancs.

The Blancs de Blancs from Côte des Blancs are the most famous examples of Blanc de Blancs Champagnes, but far from the only ones.

And in any region where they make sparkling wines from both red and white grape varieties, I think it makes sense to use the term “Blanc de Blancs” to differentiate the wines made exclusively with white grape varieties from the other blends of varieties.