What Kind of Wine Is Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir?
Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir is a non-vintage sparkling white wine blended from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Made in the traditional champagne method, Chandon was the initiator of this wine-making method in California. It is an elegant, pale gold wine with bubbles that create a softness, while retaining an element of refreshing crispness.
It is a casual sparkling wine, yet elegantly layered with aspects of fresh fruit and balanced acidity. The literal translation of the name ‘white from black’ is a reflection of the intense attention to detail of the winemaker when producing Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir. The grapes are sourced from the cooler regions of California, and are picked at night to enhance the freshness of the fruit. By using the same grape varieties as used in making champagne, Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir aims at producing the finest sparkling Californian wine, while embracing the extra fruitiness resulting from the warmer climate.
Chandon California Blanc de Pinot Noir Review
- Winery — Chandon
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Sparkling Wine
- Aroma — Fresh Fruit, Cherries, Strawberries With a Hint Of Minerality
- Grapes — Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
- Taste — Lovely Symphony Of Fruits, Strawberries And Citrus Balanced With A Lingering Minerality
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Demi-Sec
- Pairing — Great With Snacks And Shellfish And Some Spicy Dishes.
This is a wonderful duet of rich fruitiness balanced with sufficient acidity to linger with a freshness on the palate. The subtle glow of dancing bubbles is an invitation to treat this sparkling wine as an essential component of casual family celebrations, or long afternoons with friends. As an exceptionally malleable addition to an eclectic variety of foods, it can be the foundation of celebratory occasions. It is also the wine to slowly sip watching the sunset over a rippling ocean. A toast to the day.
Tasting Notes
This is a Blanc de Pinot Noir to savor and relish. From the moment you open the bottle, the plump, summery aromas of strawberry and cherry will rise and delight the nose. In the glass, the warm summery feel continues as the coppery-colored wine swirls and sparkles. This Blanc de Pinot Noir is packed full of spicy flavors, citrus notes, and even the creaminess of freshly baked bread. Its effervescent freshness is surprising considering that it has had a long aging period of up to three years. Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir is an elegant, full-bodied sparkling wine that fulfills every promise.
Appearance
I would highlight the skill of the winemaker in developing a beautiful sparkling wine. It has a rich pale golden hue almost teetering on to the side of a coppery brassiness. The bubbles are delicate and small with an impressive longevity.
Aroma
Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir is available in the standard 750 ml bottle, as well as in a magnum. Interestingly, there is a nuance of difference in the aroma of the two, with the magnum having a more buttery brioche aroma. The smaller bottle tends towards a more toast-type fragrance. The bubbles deliver up a wonderful combination of fruits such as citrus and peach, as well as a welcome hint of minerality.
Taste
The aroma of Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir wine is an honest introduction to the alluring menu of peaches, strawberries, and citrus on the palate. The bright, and perfectly sized bubbles, deliver a spectacular dry sensation which is both clean and sufficiently acidic to balance the fruit content.
Finish
It would be common to predict that the relatively high fruitiness of the wine would limit the length of the finish, but that would be wrong. The finish is a little more than medium and the minerality plays a great role in leaving the palate refreshed and clean.
Rating
People will be forgiven for referring to the wine as Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir Champagne. The skill of the winemaker results in a wine far superior to that of the usual sparkling wines. Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir reviews have bestowed significant praise on the quality of the blending, and have high praise for the lightness of the finish and refreshing after taste. As a result of the warm climate of California, the Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir does have a greater fruitiness about it than its French counterpart, but this is adequately muted by selecting wines from the cooler regions, and picking the grapes at night when temperatures are considerably lower.
Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir Food Pairing
The traditional pairing of oysters and caviar tends to put you in the boring part of the menu so why not venture out and try some different dishes? Have a go at fried mushrooms whose earthy tones will find a perfect companion in the wine. The fruitiness of Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with creamy cheese dishes like Butternut ravioli with brown sage butter. Also, try pairing it with Asparagus, or Asian chicken salad with endive spears. Cold cuts of meat, as well as vegetarian dishes, are always perfect partners, but you might also like to try sushi or crab as surprisingly good matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir?
The marketing of the wine highlights the French connection. John Wright established the winery almost fifty years ago with the intention of producing the finest sparkling wine in California. Domaine Chandon also owns wineries in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and China.
How Is Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir Made?
The Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, which are the main ingredients of the wine, are sourced from the region and are harvested at night to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. The grapes are gently pressed and blended with reserve wines from previous harvests. The fermented wine is bottled together with sugar and yeast to encourage the second fermentation.
After aging for twelve months, the sediment is removed by the disgorgement process. This involves the sediment being moved to the neck of the bottle where it is frozen and then expelled through a process referred to as disgorgement. A dosage is then added to the wine to address the level of acidity. The wine is then aged in the bottle until being released.
Where Is Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir Made?
Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir is made in Napa Valley, California. The wines are sourced from a variety of areas within the valley. The town is named after the first person to plant grapes in the Napa Valley.
How to Serve Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir?
Consensus suggests that the wine should be chilled but, quite how much is a little difficult to specify. Also, consider that wine does not enjoy rapid changes in temperature. Putting the wine in the freezer because you forgot to place it in the fridge in good time, is not going to do the wine any favors. You need to serve the Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir while it is still young. It has been made to be drunk young, so don’t hesitate or consider storing away for years.
Unless you have just won a ’Grand Prix’ race, the way to remove the cork is a gentle, no noise affair. Remove the foil around the cork, and keeping your thumb on the top of the cork, untwist the wire cage. Once the wire has been loosened, hold the cork, and slowly twist the bottle while keeping it aimed away from your guests. The cork should come away from the bottle with a gentle whisper.
Now you are ready to pour the wine. The wine is going to foam a lot so pour slowly and gently not more than a third of the glass. Wait for the foam to settle and then you can fill the glass approximately three-quarters full. What shape of glass should you use? Well, that is a matter of personal preference. Flutes are probably the most favored but a normal wineglass or a chardonnay glass could offer greater exposure to the aroma of the wine. It really is up to you.
How Much Does Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir Cost?
You can buy a little one hundred and eighty-seven ml bottle (a quarter bottle) for less than $10 and the average Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir price for the standard bottle ranges through the mid-teens. If you are looking for the magnum size bottle be prepared to pay in the mid-$20 range.
How Long Does Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir Last?
Remember, this is a wine that is at its best at the time of leaving the winery so putting it away for a distant future celebration is not going to do the wine any good. It is a wine to be drunk young. If you are going to store an open bottle in the fridge overnight, you will need to seal the bottle either with a dedicated champagne sealer or a well-fitting wine cork.
How Many Calories Does Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir Have?
Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir calories count up to approximately 135 per serving with 4 grams of carbohydrates. Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir alcohol content is approximately 12.5%.
Conclusion
This is a wonderful duet of rich fruitiness balanced with sufficient acidity to linger with a freshness on the palate. The subtle glow of dancing bubbles is an invitation to treat this sparkling wine as an essential component of casual family celebrations, or long afternoons with friends. As an exceptionally malleable addition to an eclectic variety of foods, it can be the foundation of celebratory occasions. It is also the wine to slowly sip watching the sunset over a rippling ocean. A toast to the day.
