Which three grape varieties are permitted in Champagne, and which are used for Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs?

• A. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier; Blanc de Blancs uses Chardonnay; Blanc de Noirs uses Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier
• B. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Meunier; Blanc de Blancs uses Chardonnay; Blanc de Noirs uses Pinot Gris
• C. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Aligoté; Blanc de Blancs uses Pinot Noir; Blanc de Noirs uses Pinot Meunier
• D. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier; Blanc de Blancs uses Pinot Meunier; Blanc de Noirs uses Chardonnay

Answer: (A)

In Champagne, the only grape varieties permitted are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Blanc de Blancs is a white wine made from white grapes, and in Champagne that means Chardonnay. Blanc de Noirs is a white wine made from black-skinned grapes, typically Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. The option that lists the three permitted varieties and correctly assigns Blanc de Blancs to Chardonnay and Blanc de Noirs to Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier is the correct one. The other choices include grapes that aren’t allowed in Champagne (like Pinot Gris or Aligoté) or misstate which grape(s) go into Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs.