Grape Of The Week: Pinot Meunier
A mutation of Pinot Noir, Meunier, famously known as Pinot Meunier, is a dark-berried red grape. Most commonly found in Champagne blends, alongside Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier helps to soften non-vintage Champagnes. A grape that doesn’t typically make age-worthy wine, it’s rare to find single varietal Pinot Meunier or high amounts of Pinot Meunier in vintage Champagnes. With notes of tart cherry, pomegranate, potting soil, mushroom, and rose petal, Pinot Meunier pairs fantastically with roasted duck, grilled vegetables, and seafood.
With France accounting for almost 80% of the world’s Pinot Meunier, it’s no surprise that over 12,000 hectares in France are dedicated to the grape. While Champagne hosts most of the Pinot Meunier in France, it can also be found in Loire Valley and Moselle. Outside of France, Pinot Meunier is also grown in Germany where it is known as Schwarzriesling, Müllerrebe, and Müller-Traube. It can be found in a range of German red, rose, and sparkling wines.
Looking to indulge? Here are some wines to try:
