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HomeTopicsGrape VarietiesPinot Meunier
A Look at Pinot MeunierPinot meunier is a wine grape that’s a mutation of the better-known Pinot noir (along with Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Pinot moure and Pinot teinturier). Pinot meunier is often disparaged in winemaking circles because it is not considered a noble grape like chardonnay or its parent, Pinot noir. However, its benefits make it a good blend in non-vintage sparkling wines, and occasionally it is recognized as a standalone red wine in its own right.
The Pinot meunier grape can survive in colder weather, making it an obvious choice for the chilly Champagne region of northern France. It also reaches maturity much earlier than other wine grapes, and it stands up well to coulure, which is the failure of flowers to develop into berries. Its ability to be planted late and harvested early gives it an advantage over many noble grapes.
As a sparkling wine, Pinot meunier pairs well with Asian food or shellfish. The still wine complements duck or pork in fruit sauces very well.
History of Pinot MeunierPinot meunier has been around since the 16th century, and its origins are traced back to northern France’s Champagne region. It is a mutation of Pinot noir, and it gets its name (which means “miller” in French) from the underside of its leaves, which look like they’ve been coated with flour. In Germany, it is called Müllerrebe (which means “miller grape”) or Schwarzriesling.
Pinot meunier differs from Pinot noir in its resistance to a plant growth hormone called gibberellic acid. This resistance causes Pinot meunier plants to be slightly smaller than Pinot noirs.
Basic Properties of Pinot MeunierPinot meunier is often blended with chardonnay or Pinot noir and used in champagne and sparkling wines. On its own, Pinot meunier is a dry, fruity wine with a slightly bitter taste. Its color is light red or rosé, and the crisp wine has an acidic tone and a slight smokiness. It is a medium-bodied wine with a strong aroma of alcohol.
Regions Known for Growing Pinot MeunierAs previously mentioned, Pinot Meunier can stand up to frost in ways that chardonnay and Pinot noir cannot, so it thrives in France’s Champagne region. Although chardonnay and Pinot noir get more attention, Pinot meunier is actually the most widely grown grape in this region.
While Pinot meunier is rarely planted outside of the Champagne region of France, Australia and Germany do cultivate limited amounts of Pinot meunier. California takes a page from France’s book and grows the grape in cooler areas to use in sparkling wine.
Popular Producers of Pinot MeunierHere are a few recommended labels:
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