The Pinot Meunier
Grape
A red grape variety used primarily in the production of Champagne, contributing freshness, fruitiness, and approachability to the blend. It offers flavors of red fruits like cherry and raspberry, with a floral aroma, adding complexity to sparkling wines.
Pinot Meunier
Grape History
Pinot Meunier is a black wine grape variety that is most famous for its role in the production of Champagne. It is one of the three primary grape varieties used in Champagne production, alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The name "Meunier" means "miller" in French, referring to the white, flour-like down on the underside of the vine's leaves, which resembles the dusty appearance of a miller's clothes.
The history of Pinot Meunier can be traced back to the Champagne region of France, where it has been cultivated for centuries. It is believed to be a natural mutation of the Pinot Noir grape, with slightly different characteristics that make it well-suited for Champagne production. Pinot Meunier vines are known for their reliable yields and relatively early ripening, making them a valuable asset to Champagne producers.
Apart from Champagne, Pinot Meunier is also grown in other cool climate regions around the world, including Germany, England, and the United States. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the grape variety in these regions, with producers recognizing its potential to produce high-quality still wines in addition to sparkling wines.
Pinot Meunier is primarily used in the production of non-vintage Champagnes, where it adds fruity and floral notes to the blend. It is known for its fresh and vibrant character, with flavors of red berries, citrus, and a distinct minerality. In recent years, some producers have also started to experiment with producing single-varietal Pinot Meunier Champagnes, showcasing the grape's unique characteristics.
The future of Pinot Meunier looks promising, as it continues to gain recognition for its contribution to the world of sparkling wine. As consumer preferences shift towards lighter and fresher styles of wine, the vibrant and fruit-forward character of Pinot Meunier is likely to become even more appreciated. With producers exploring its potential in still wines as well, we can expect to see more exciting expressions of Pinot Meunier in the years to come.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel