A white champagne made with dark grapes, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. These are much more scarcely produced than the blanc de blancs and are also stylistically more challenging. The width, richness and power, as well as the oxidative tendencies of Pinot Noir can make them heavy and melancholic. But at best they are superb gastronomic wines. Often they are too much as an aperitif but fit perfectly in the dinner table.
The most famous blanc de noirs include Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay and Billecart-Salmon Clos Saint Hilaire. Pinot Noir blanc de noirs are more common but several 100 per cent Meuniers also exist, such as Jérôme Prévost La Closerie Les Béguines Brut Nature and Tarlant Le Vigne d’Or.