Main planting regions of Pinot Meunier in France and its wine characteristics

Pinot Meunier is a variety that buds and ripens early. It can add fruity flavors to blends and, together with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is one of the three major grape varieties used to make Champagne.

In 2009, the planted area of Pinot Meunier in France was 11,088 hectares, making it the red grape variety second only to Pinot Noir in the Champagne region, even though its name is rarely seen on French wine labels. This variety was once widely planted in northern France, but it is now mainly distributed in the Champagne region, especially in north-facing vineyards in the Marne Valley that are prone to frost. Pinot Meunier grown here has higher acidity than Pinot Noir and comparable sweetness, and can bring fresh fruity flavors to blends.

Outside Champagne, Pinot Meunier is rarely planted, but it is still a fairly well-known variety in the Loire and eastern regions, and it is also grown in the Touraine and Mosel appellations.