Lesser Known Champagne Grapes Enjoying the Warmer Weather

The four lesser known Champagne grapes, Arbane, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Meslier are getting an unlikely boost thanks to the warmer Summers.

These grapes are grown on only 0.3% of the 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) that produce Champagne.

Drappier has 50 acres of Arbane, which with the warmer weather is set to produce 5,000 kilos of grapes a hectare this year.

Quattuor cuvée produced by Drappier is made from equal parts of the 4 white grape varieties,  Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay. With aromas of fresh grapes and citrus fruits evolving towards notes of honeyed apples and fig jam, this Champagne has a great freshness. Ideal as an aperitif it is alo perfect with tartelette printanier (tartlet with young spring vergetables), seafood blanquette and veal carpaccio with white truffles.

There are some Champagne Houses who use these lesser know grapes, some examples.

Champagne Moutard Cuvée 6 cépages Millésime 2006 is a vintage Champagne made from all 6 grape varieties of the Champagne region, Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This Champagne has aromas of toast and nuts with floral notes and citrus fruit, with a flavour of ripe apple and pears.

Champagne Tarlant BAM! stands for Pinot Blanc, Arbanne and Petit Meslier. This has aromas of white, fleshy stone fruits and flavours of honey, white pepper, bread and red apples.

Champagne Brouzje,The Cépages d’Antan has flavours of apple, almond and citrus. Perfect as an aperitif it also pairs well with seafood and sushi.