The Magic of Chardonnay – Great Blanc de Blancs Champagnes at Alfavin
Today, Blanc de Blancs almost always means a Chardonnay Champagne. While a few growers still cultivate other white grape varieties that were once more common, their presence is now minimal.
Compared to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay is a less demanding variety that can produce higher yields with lower disease pressure. It reaches phenolic ripeness earlier and thrives even in vineyards with less intense sunlight exposure. A good example of this is the Premier Cru Grauves.
The most renowned growing area is the string of Grand Cru villages along the Côte des Blancs – Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Avize, Cramant, and Chouilly. However, exceptional Blanc de Blancs are also produced in the Montagne de Reims, particularly in Ambonnay and Villers-Marmery.
While Champagne has traditionally been a blend of several grape varieties, some producers have specialised in pure Blanc de Blancs for more than a century. Pol Roger has produced Blanc de Blancs for over 100 years, followed by legendary houses such as Salon, Dom Ruinart and Comtes de Champagne. In the 1970s, Krug purchased the original Salon vineyard – the Clos Tarin of the Tarin family – now famous as the Clos du Mesnil.
Clos du Mesnil is not only one of the most expensive Champagnes in the world, but also the first choice for many Champagne connoisseurs when asked to name the best Champagne ever made.
Blanc de Blancs Champagnes come in many styles: from mineral, fresh and light Champagnes with lively acidity, to mature, fruit-driven wines showing citrus and exotic notes often enhanced by subtle toasty oak aromas; from discreetly sparkling, wine-like Champagnes reminiscent of Puligny or Meursault, to nutty, buttery and classically oxidative styles, and finally to aged, incredibly complex wines with a delicate, persistent mousse.
At Alfavin, you will find a carefully selected range of exceptional Blanc de Blancs Champagnes: the popular Comtes de Champagne from multiple vintages, as well as Blanc des Millénaires, Amour de Deutz, Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs, Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs and Diebolt-Vallois Fleur de Passion.
