Grapes for champagne?!
Grapes for champagne?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Munier it these are only grapes for champagne. Confused.
Answers:
There are six grape varieties legally allowed to be used for making Champagne, but the Champagne authorities decided that just three Chardonnay (white) , Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (both black) should be encouraged, and they are the only varieties allowed to be planted now*
The other three varieties are Arbane, Petit Meslier and Pinot Blanc.
The firm of Moutard Pere & Fils - http://www.champagne-moutard.fr/index-gb... - makes wines from the old varieties, including 'Cuvée des 6 Cépages', which is a blend of all six. They make a varietal Arbane Champagne, and if you can get hold of it, you should, because Arbane makes a stunningly ethereal Champagne.
*except you can replace a dead 'heritage' variety vine with another vine of the same variety