If you want to know what they mean, read our article. Below, we explain to you their meaning, their origin, their history, their differences and characteristics.

Blanc de Noirs: meaning and characteristics

Blanc de Noirs means “white wine from black grapes”. This expression was born, in the second half of the seventeenth century, in the Champagne region, in France, when Dom Perignon began producing Champagne sparkling wine from Pinot Noir grapes.

To emphasize this aspect of wine production, only black berried grapes were used, in the French region some producers began to speak of Blanc de Noirs wines.

For a long time, this expression was used only for Champagne wines produced from Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier grapes. Today, something has changed and "Blanc de Noirs" is used to describe any sparkling wine made from black berried grapes.

Blanc de Noirs wines have an important structure and great complexity, both in aromas and in taste, superior to other sparkling wines. For this reason, they can be drunk throughout the meal, perfect with fish-based dishes, cold cuts and raw vegetables.

In our online wine shop, we sell an excellent Blanc de Noirs classic method, produced in the Oltrepò Pavese, from 100% Pinot Nero grapes. It is called Bollicine Blanc de Noir Nika di Volpaia and we sell it at cellar price!

Blanc de Blancs: meaning and characteristics

“Blanc de Blancs” means "white wine from white berried grapes". It refers to those sparkling wines obtained from white berried grapes. In the case of Champagne, the indication is authorized only for those wines made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, the main white grape of the Region. It cannot be used for Champagne produced differently.

In any case, this expression has now entered the wine vocabulary with a more general meaning. It is now used to describe any sparkling wine, such as Franciacorta sparkling wines, obtained from white berried grapes, Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco, or for Prosecco, obtained from Glera white berried grapes.

This type of wines are more delicate, to the nose and to the taste, than the Blanc de Noirs. They have strong fruity aromas, especially citrus. They are particularly suitable for aperitifs and with shellfish-based dishes.

We hope that, after reading our article, the difference between Blanc de Noirs and Blanc de Blancs is clear, as well as their main characteristics. We hope we have enriched your wine vocabulary.