Still and sparkling wines can be made from white grapes, black grapes, or a blend of both. For instance, it is common for Champagne to be a blend of Chardonnay (white grape), Pinot Noir (black grape) or Pinot Meunier (black grape). Sparkling wines made from only white grapes are often labeled “Blanc de Blanc,” or “white from white.” But there are also sparklers made from only black grapes and they are labeled “Blanc de Noir,” or “white from black.” But how can you get white wine from black grapes?
It’s How You Press the Grapes
If you want to make a white wine from black grapes, you would need to press the black grapes so gently and delicately to only retrieve the clear juice from the grape pulp. The black skins would then be tossed away, and the clear juice would be fermented into a white wine. Sparkling wines would then go on to complete a second fermentation in order to create the bubbles.
On the contrary, when grape juice mixes with black skins, it becomes a pink Rosé wine (short mixing) or red wine (longer mixing).
Blanc de Noirs are found in Champagne, Cremant, Spain, Italy, and even California styles of sparkling wine. Technically you can make a white wine from just about any black grape, but the most popular ones are made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Monastrell/Mourvèdre, and Grenache.
The Flavors & Body
Generally speaking, white wines from white grapes will be lighter, more acidic, and on the leaner side with green, citrus, stone, and tropical fruit flavors that are present in white grapes.
However, Blancs de Noirs start to pick up the additional red-fruit flavors typically found in black grapes like Pinot Noir. In addition to the lemony-apple flavors present, you could also taste hints of strawberry, red cherry and raspberry that add to the complexity of the wine. In addition, Blanc de Noirs tend to be richer, rounder and fuller than Blanc de Blancs.
Blanc de Noir Food Pairings
Blanc de Noirs pair well with with an array of dishes! Sparkling lovers often enjoy them with creamy pastas, lamb chops, smoked fish, lobster, oysters, mushroom-based cuisines, risotto and sushi.
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