Known as the wine connoisseur’s favourite, blanc de blancs are made exclusively from chardonnay grapes and develop an intense fruity or aromatic expression when aged. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Krug Clos du Mesnil are perhaps the finest examples of this style.
Winemaking
White from white
Blanc de blancs typically require more ageing to bring out their rich and nuanced flavours. Those from Ruinart are aged for three years, or more than 10 for a bottle of Dom Ruinart. Krug’s Clos du Mesnil is also aged for a minimum of 10 years.
Taste
Intensely aromatic
Blanc de blancs develop an unmistakable richness with age. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs has an intensely aromatic flavour reminiscent of citrus fruits, jasmine, peaches and peppercorn, while Krug’s blanc de blancs evoke candied fruit, honey, toasted nuts and liquorice.
Chardonnay territory
Chardonnay excels in the terroir of the Côte des Blancs, and it is from here that Ruinart sources most of the premier and grand crus grapes for its blanc de blancs. In this district lies the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, the location of the small plot that grows the grapes used in Krug Clos du Mesnil.
