Pinot Meunier (Vitis vinifera) is a grape frequently found in France. Pinot Meunier is one of the big three grape varieties allowed to be used in the production of champagne.

According to the UC Davis National Grape Registry, Pinot Meunier is a mutation of Pinot Noir.

Frequently the Pinot Meunier is also called Schwarzriesling; however, Pinot Meunier has many other synonyms including Millers and Dusty Miller. The name miller refers to the flour like substance found on the underside of the Pinot Meunier grape leaves.

Pinot Meunier and its synonyms can be found in many regions besides France including the US (California, Ohio, New York, Colorado), Canada, Germany and Australia.

Pinot Meunier can be found in cooler areas because it tends to flower later in the spring and ripen earlier in the fall.

Typically, Pinot Meunier is not found as a single variety wine, however, a few wineries make a rosé wine with the grapes. Most often Pinot Meunier is blended with other grapes especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Food Pairings:

Suggested food pairings includes a variety of seafood.

We are looking forward to the champagne tasting at the International Wine Tourism Conference in Reims next week. At the Grand Tasting we will taste numerous champagnes. Currently the list of champagnes to taste include one Premier Crus, two Grand Cru and the rest will be Crus.

The list includes champagnes from Champagne Dom Caudron which will have two 100% Pinot Meunier for the tasting.

• “Prédiction” – 100% Meunier. Aged for eighteen months. Blending 2010/2011
• “Cornalyne” – 100% Meunier. Aged for five years. Base 2010 (50% of the blending is matured in oak barrels.)

Cheers,
Kathy