Pinot Meunier (French for "miller," in reference to the powdery underside of its leaves that can look as though dusted with flour) is the soulful cousin of Pinot Noir that plays a small but vital role in the blending of Chandon sparkling wines. Rarely planted outside of the Champagne region in France where it represents significant acreage of that appellation, Pinot Meunier is being discovered by only a few of the most adventurous California winemakers.

Chandon's experience growing Carneros Pinot Meunier for our sparkling wine programs over the past three decades gives us unique insight, allowing us to tap the full potential of this variety to create an exceptional red wine. Our vineyard property in Carneros seems to be the perfect home for this fruit, and we believe its distinctive character deserves a place on every wine lover's table. Hand-crafted by Domaine Chandon since 1989 in boutique quantities for sale at the winery, the 2000 Pinot Meunier represented the first national release of this unique and hard-to-find variety.

Technical notes

Appellation: Carneros Composition: Pinot Meunier Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels

Food pairing

Domaine Chandon`s Executive Chef Eric Torralba and Winemaker Wayne Donaldson love the intensity and flexibility of this wine with food. They recommend serving it with full-flavored or spicy foods such as roasted lamb or pork roast. For a more casual experience, try it with your next barbecue.