Blanc de Noirs: A Gem of English Sparkling Wine

Among the many varieties of English sparkling wine, one style that stands out for its added depth and richness is Blanc de Noirs.

At Bluestone, we are releasing our first-ever Blanc de Noirs this December, just in time for Christmas. Blanc de Noirs 2019 is made from 51% Pinot Noir and 49% Pinot Meunier and aged in bottle for over four years.

What is Blanc de Noirs?

The term Blanc de Noirs translates from French as "white from black." It refers to a white wine that is made from dark-skinned (black) grapes. In the context of sparkling wine, this typically means using varieties like Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, both of which are key players in the classic sparkling wine blend. The final result, however, is a wine that appears white or very pale, despite being made from dark-skinned grapes.

To understand Blanc de Noirs, it's important to look at the winemaking process. The colour of a wine comes from the skins of the grapes. When making Blanc de Noirs, the black grapes are carefully pressed, and the juice and the skins are separated as quickly as possible. This prevents the pigments in the skins from imparting colour to the juice, allowing the wine to remain white or pale.

The pressed juice is then fermented in much the same way as any sparkling wine, going through a second fermentation in the bottle to create those signature bubbles. The result is a white sparkling wine with the body, structure, and complexity that comes from the red grape varieties.

Why Blanc de Noirs in English Sparkling Wine?

The English cool climate is particularly well-suited to growing Pinot Noirs and Pinot Meunier, the key grapes for Blanc de Noirs. These grape varieties develop a crisp acidity while maintaining complexity and depth of flavour. English Blanc de Noirs sparkling wines often showcase a distinct minerality, along with flavours of red fruits, apple, and often brioche or toasted notes from ageing on the lees (the spent yeast cells left after fermentation).

Key Characteristics of English Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine

Blanc de Noirs wines stand out for their balance between freshness and complexity. A few characteristics that make English Blanc de Noirs a truly special sparkling wine include notes of red berries, and a richer mouthfeel than other sparkling wines, which may have been made with mainly Chardonnay.

Due to the cooler climate and extended growing seasons in England, Blanc de Noirs often has a beautifully complex profile. Alongside the fruit-driven palate, there can be subtle secondary notes of toast, nuts, or brioche, which come from the ageing process.

Finally, one of the hallmarks of English sparkling wine is its crisp, mouth-watering acidity. This refreshing quality is often balanced by the weight and richness provided by the Pinot Noirs and Pinot Meunier grapes, making it a dynamic and versatile wine.

Blanc de Noirs is a distinctive and sophisticated expression of English sparkling wine. Made from dark-skinned grapes but resulting in a beautifully pale wine, it showcases the best of England's cool climate viticulture. With a perfect balance of fresh fruit, rich texture, and complex flavours, Blanc de Noirs has firmly secured its place in the upper echelons of the wine world.

Bluestone Vineyards Blanc de Noirs 2019

51% Pinot Noir  | 49% Pinot Meunier 

Vintage: 97% 2019 | 3% Reserve 

Bottled: 09/09/2020