Which technique is commonly used to minimize color variation in Blanc de Noirs?

• A. Prolonged maceration on skins
• B. Using only white grapes
• C. Rapid pressing with limited skin contact
• D. Extensive skin contact

Answer: (C)

Color variation in wines made from black grapes comes from pigments in the skins. Blanc de Noirs aims for a pale, Champagne-like color, so the technique to minimize this variation is to press the grapes quickly and limit skin contact, extracting mostly clear juice with little pigment. This gentle, rapid pressing (often using the first-press fraction) keeps the juice light and consistent across lots by avoiding the more color-rich compounds that skins contribute. Prolonged maceration or extensive skin contact would pull more color and tannins, increasing darkness and variation. Using only white grapes would defeat the purpose of Blanc de Noirs, which is to make white wine from black grape varieties.