All you need to know about Pinot Meunier: A quick guide

Pinot Meunier is a light and aromatic red variety with a good amount of “juicy” fruit. It’s similar in style to Pinot Noir, which makes sense since it’s a genetic mutation of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. (Genetic mutation = a slow and natural reproduction of cells, where the grapes’ characteristics are different enough to be considered a new variety.)

Typically Pinot Meunier is used as a blending grape in Champagne sparkling wines, but it’s getting a lot of hype as a single variety STILL wine in many areas now too!

A few more notes on Pinot Meunier:

• Similar to Pinot Noir in style, texture, and flavor, but ripens earlier and is not nearly as finicky to grow
• It is often labeled simply “Meunier” in France 
• It can be used in rosé in areas like the Loire Valley (where it can showcase a smoky character)

The following guide will illustrate what Pinot Meunier often tastes like (aroma, flavor, and structure). It will also tell you where it’s from, provide you with common food recommendations, similar varieties, and let you know why you should be drinking more of it!

How would I describe Pinot Meunier?

What does Pinot Meunier taste like?

STANDARD TASTING NOTES: These are your benchmark exam-style tasting notes.

Red Cherry

Cranberry

Raspberry

Rose

Forest Floor

Baking Spice

Remember, wine tastes are somewhat relative. There may be some different tasting notes you consistently find while drinking Pinot Meunier.

What is the structure of Pinot Meunier?

There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to structure for every grape, however, there IS a general range when it comes to body, acid, alcohol, and tannin for each. Below are general guidelines for classic representations. Growing conditions and winemaking techniques can impact each of the following.

Medium (-) Body

Think of that weight as a liquid scale, from water (light body) to heavy cream (full body) in your mouth. Pinot Meunier is on the lighter side!

High Acid

You can judge acidity based on whether your mouth waters after you take a sip of something. The more you salivate, the higher the acid. Pinot Meunier is known to have high acidity, even more so than Pinot Noir.

Low Alcohol

You can feel alcohol ‘burn’ the back of your throat when you take a sip. Pinot Meunier typically has very low alcohol for still wine as well as sparkling.

Low Tannin

Tannin comes from the skin of the grapes during the winemaking process. You can tell a wine has high tannin if it dries out your tongue. It imparts almost a bitter flavor. Pinot Munier is known for little tannin.

Where is Pinot Meunier from?

France

Primarily in: Champagne

80% of Pinot Meunier vines are found in France. It is best known in Champagne, where it’s one of the three main varieties used in the cuvee’s (along with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir). It makes up about 40% of plantings in Champagne and the most is found in the Vallée de la Marne. Pinot Meunier adds bright fruit and good structure and texture to these blends. It’s also an approachable variety that is less expensive, but also more reliable (higher yields) than Pinot Noir.

You can also find Pinot Meunier in smaller quantities from The USA, Germany, and Australia

What foods should I pair with Pinot Meunier?

Roasted Chicken

Good acid and light tannin fare well with poultry. Pinot Meunier often will have some herbal qualities that go delightfully with anything herb roasted.

Ham

Pinot Meunier is great with lighter meats because it doesn’t have much tannin (typically even less than Pinot Noir). The fruit quality is also complementary to the sweet/smoky nuances of ham and other similar meats.

Roasted Veggies

Light-bodied reds that are somewhat earthy seem to pair best with vegetables. Pinot Munier even has a bit of a mushroom note that goes well with mushrooms specifically or other roasted earthy vegetables.

Other Pairings: Cheeses (goats milk), Antipasta, Salmon (fatty fish), Lamb, Tomatoes, Pasta Dishes, Mushrooms, Risotto. (I had it with sushi and it was awesome).

What grape varieties are similar to Pinot Meunier?

(common confusions)

Pinot Noir has:

• more earth and mushroom notes
• less floral and spice notes
• typically higher acid and lower tannin

Gamay has:

• more candied red fruit
• more mineral notes
• typically less acid

Sangiovese has:

• more herbal and tomato notes
• often darker in color and more fuller bodied
• typically higher acid

What are some great examples of Pinot Meunier to try out?

Benchmark Wines

Christophe Mignon ‘ADN de Meunier’

Champagne (France)

Laherte Freres ‘Rose de Meunier’

Champagne (France)

Weingut Darting

Pfalz (Germany)

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