Singing The Praises Of Pinot Meunier

[Jeff B]

So you're worried that a significant percentage of Pinot Meunier will lessen the character of the non-vintage champagne you are drinking.

Here are some non-vintage champagnes with at least 25% Pinot Meunier. All of them scored at least 88 or higher in my own tasting notes (not that anyone needs to agree with them). I enjoyed filtering them from my notes and thought I'd share.

There are surely some memorable blanc de noirs out there that I've yet to try. But, for this list, I tried to keep the criteria limited to non-vintage only and where all three main grapes were blended together.

The first column shows the score I gave, followed by when I opened it, followed by the champagne then finally the approximate percentage of Meunier found in the blend...

94 June 2003 Perrier Jouet Grand Brut 375ml 40%
92 Sept 2004 Pol Roger Brut 33%
91 Oct 2003 Mumm Cordon Rouge 25%
90 Dec 2007 Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial 40%
90 Feb 2009 Piper-Heidsieck Brut 30%
88 Jan 2006 Jacquesson 31%
88 July 2006 Deutz Brut 32%

And while it's not non-vintage, 1996 Krug appears to have 26% Meunier in its blend. I can only hope to taste that one someday!

Jeff

[Salil]

while it's not non-vintage, 1996 Krug appears to have 26% Meunier in its blend. I can only hope to taste that one someday!

Jeff

I'm surprised that you haven't, given how much of a Champagne fan you are.

I like Krug, do prefer a couple of other houses for 'big house' Champagne (partial to Taittinger CdC and Salon myself), but the '96 Krug is absolutely stellar. Worth seeking out.

As for Meunier... I like it a lot (don't discriminate against Champagne grapes ) as well. Egly Ouriet and Chartogne-Taillet make a couple of lovely single variety Meunier Champagnes. (Counting down to when Herr Bueker enters this thread...)

[Otto]

José Michel makes some fantastic pure PM and some PM dominated blends.

Then for a non-Champagne, Theirry Puzelat in the Loire makes a fantastic still red PM called Le Rouge est Mis which is very much worth trying if you can find it.

[Jeff B]

Thanks Salil and Otto.

I would love to try the '96 Krug. I should have purchased one when they were first released!

I need to try more '96's in general seeing how wonderful they are. The handful I have are still cellaring. My most anticipated ones are Dom Perignon (I was able to purchase two upon release). I still have them in the boxes with the "shield" sticker over them. They have been in quiet rest for about 7-9 years now.

I still would say that, so far, 1990 is my favorite champagne vintage (if I had to pick).

Jeff

[Lou Kessler]

while it's not non-vintage, 1996 Krug appears to have 26% Meunier in its blend. I can only hope to taste that one someday!

Jeff

I'm surprised that you haven't, given how much of a Champagne fan you are.

I like Krug, do prefer a couple of other houses for 'big house' Champagne (partial to Taittinger CdC and Salon myself), but the '96 Krug is absolutely stellar. Worth seeking out.

As for Meunier... I like it a lot (don't discriminate against Champagne grapes ) as well. Egly Ouriet and Chartogne-Taillet make a couple of lovely single variety Meunier Champagnes. (Counting down to when Herr Bueker enters this thread...)

I still have some bottles left of the Egly Ouriet Pinot Meunier and it's a mighty fine bottle of Champagne IMHO.

[Joy Lindholm]

In addition to great Meunier-heavy Champagnes, there are a few wonderful single-varietal still Pinot Meunier red wines out there. The Willakenzie from Oregon is an old friend, absolutely love the Darting from the Pfalz, and recently discovered the stunning Meunier from Eyrie on a trip to Willamette. None of these should be missed for Meunier lovers!

[TomHill]

AdamLee makes a quite nice PM under his Novy label. Resembles his PinotNoirs a lot
but a bit more earthy and less high-toned.
Tom

[David Creighton]

there are quite a large number of pure or nearly pure PM champagnes. nearly any RM from the Marne will have at least one and probably more. if it weren't for the Barr, PM would easily be the dominant grape in champagne.