What is a "Blanc de Blancs" Champagne?
"Blanc de Blancs" refers to Champagnes made exclusively from white grape varieties. The blend can therefore include one or more authorized white grape varieties, such as Chardonnay, but also rarer varieties like Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris (also known as Fromenteau).
Chardonnay is a white grape variety that originated in Western Asia and Burgundy. The name could derive from the French settlement in Burgundy that shares the same name.
Over 30% of the vineyards in Champagne are planted with Chardonnay, reflecting the importance of this grape variety in the region. The Chardonnay Champagnes from the Côte des Blancs next to Epernay, particularly from the municipalities of Chouilly (Champagne Vazart-Coquart and Champagne Roland Champion) Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize (Champagne Corbon) and Oger (Champagne de la Renaissance), are particularly famous due to the quality of their chalky soil, as are the Champagnes from the Montgueux terroir (near Troyes), which are compared to the great Burgundies from Montrachet. (Champagne Hélène Beaugrand and Champagne Didier Doué).
Less known are Blanc de Blancs from other terroirs, such as those of Vitry-le-François and the Côte de Sézanne (Domaine Collet Champagne). Many winemakers produce excellent Chardonnay Champagnes with different characteristics that are definitely worth discovering.
🥂 Tasting Notes
Blanc de Blancs are Champagne wines characterized by finesse, elegance, freshness, and liveliness. These wines are an expression of the chalky soils where they originate. Therefore, they are marked by a sometimes difficult-to-describe sensation known as "minerality."
When tasting, one discovers delicate aromas of citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon), floral notes (hawthorn, honeysuckle, linden, acacia...), and exotic fruits (lychee, pineapple) in these Champagnes. Subtle notes of chalk can often be perceived. After several years of aging, they also develop notes of candied fruit, toast, brioche, and fresh butter.
🥂 Pairings
Thanks to its freshness and liveliness, Blanc de Blancs Champagne is perfect for an elegant aperitif and pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes such as seafood, fish, but also sashimi or delicious sushi. A savory combination with a hard cheese like Comté or Parmesan is also perfect.
Older Blanc de Blancs or those aged in oak barrels can be served with fish or light meat with sauce.
And Blanc de Blancs with dessert? That's also possible. We recommend a lemon tart, a carpaccio of citrus fruits, or peaches.
🌹 Blanc de Blancs Rosé Champagne?
There is no Blanc de Blancs Rosé in Champagne, as a rosé Champagne always requires the addition of a black grape variety such as Pinot Noir or Meunier.
We have some winemakers who produce an assembled rosé from Chardonnay Champagne with red wine from the region, such as the Rosé des Blancs Grand Cru - Champagne de la Renaissance, the Brut Rosé - Champagne Boulard-Bauquaire as well as the Rosé Brut 1er Cru - Champagne Rochet-Bocart.
🍾 Conclusion
The Blanc de Blancs Champagne embodies the excellence and tradition of the Champagne region, offering wine lovers an unparalleled taste experience.
Its versatility makes it an ideal companion for any occasion, whether an elegant aperitif or an entire meal.
It is best to enjoy these Champagnes from beautiful white wine glasses so that they can fully develop their potential.
