Blanc de Blancs vs. Blanc de Noirs, Explained

These two French terms appear frequently on Champagne labels, and understanding them reveals real information about the wine's grape composition.

Blanc de Blancs

Literally "white from whites," Blanc de Blancs Champagne is made entirely from white grapes — specifically Chardonnay, since it's the only white grape among Champagne's three permitted varieties. This produces a generally lighter, more elegant, citrus-and-mineral-driven style compared to blends incorporating red grapes.

Blanc de Noirs

Literally "white from blacks," Blanc de Noirs is made entirely from red (black-skinned) grapes — Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier — but processed to avoid skin contact, so the resulting wine is still white (or very pale) despite coming from red grapes. This style tends toward a fuller-bodied, richer, sometimes more red-fruit-inflected character than Blanc de Blancs.

How a Red Grape Makes White Wine

The key production detail: Champagne's white color from red grapes comes from pressing the grapes gently and quickly, minimizing contact between the juice (which is clear even in red grapes) and the skins (which contain the color pigments) — the same basic principle used to make white wine from red grapes in other regions, and closely related to how rosé achieves its intermediate color through brief, deliberate skin contact.

Standard Champagne Blends, for Comparison

Most Champagne is neither Blanc de Blancs nor Blanc de Noirs, but a blend of all three permitted grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier) — the two single-grape-type categories represent more specialized, singular expressions rather than the typical house-style blend.

Which Should You Choose?

For a lighter, more elegant, citrus-forward style: Blanc de Blancs. For a fuller, richer, more structured style: Blanc de Noirs. For a balanced house-style blend showcasing all three traditional grapes together: a standard, non-specified blend is the more typical, versatile choice.