Pinot Meunier (Pinot Meunier), historically just Meunier is a red grape variety, particularly known for its role in the production of champagne.

As Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier – one of the many mutations of Pinot Noir.

Synonyms varieties: Gris Meunier, Farino (Farineux), Malaria (Müllerrebe), Sarcasming (Schwarzriesling), Traube Muller (Muller-Traube), dusty Miller (Dusty Miller), millers Burgundy (Miller’s Burgundy).

The word Meunier is French for “Miller.” It’s all in the surface of the reverse side of the sheet of vines: it is whitish, as if sprinkled with flour.

Pinot Meunier planted in places where it is too cold for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – it is a kind of insurance of sparkling wine from a bad vintage.

The value of this class to such an extreme Northern territory as the champagne – that his ovaries are formed later, and it Matures earlier than Pinot Noir. Thus Pinot Meunier is possible to avoid losses from spring frosts and the scourge of color, and in the fall it can be collected earlier than increase the risk of rot during the rainy season. It turns out that the harvest of Pinot Meunier to rely more reliable than Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The output of quality fruit often is 2.5-3 tons per hectare.

In support of its importance to the champagne region, Pinot Meunier dominates the Marne Valley, where his vine account for two-thirds of the total landings.

Pinot Meunier is one third of the vineyards of Reims and almost 40% of vineyards of the appellation champagne.

Unlike its parent Pinot Noir, the Pinot Meunier quite a few clones. Meunier is a pretty viable grade and feels at home in most soil types. From the point of view of productivity, the differences from site to site in the vineyards is minimal.

Clusters can be of different size but with high density of berries.

The acidity of Pinot Meunier is slightly higher than Pinot Noir. In the bouquet of champagne blend it brings in the brightness, fruitiness and subtle spice.

But colour and tannins it is less intense than Pinot Noir and wines based on it is not as durable. Low potential for aging prevents popularity Meunier as monosortovogo red wine, although in certain parts of France to make rosé wines, in which it dominates.

After France on the second place on prevalence Meunier is Germany, and its popularity is growing fast.

Small landing Meunier is in Australia, where initially it was called millers Burgundy (Miller’s Burgundy), and where it can be found in the role monosortovogo red. Although he survives there is likely due to the traditional role in the “champagne set” of varieties for sparkling wines.

A little Pinot Meunier will be found in New Zealand.

Meunier to California was in 1850. But only a few local manufacturers from time to time made something out of it. And only the regularly bottled monosortovoe Chandon Pinot Meunier. Most of his vineyards were planted in the 1990s, mainly for use as a component of Meunier for sparkling wines.