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When did the Pinot Meunier grape become Meunier, and why?
Jennifer Thompson, New Jersey, USA
Meunier, which covers almost one third of the Champagne vineyard, has long been seen as a workhorse variety, giving forward, fruity brioche flavours, but lacking the stature to age and therefore seldom included in vintage or deluxe cuvées. Krug, as an aside, begs to differ on its ageing potential. The variety is genetically linked to Pinot Noir, Meunier itself meaning ‘miller’, a somewhat whimsical nomenclature which refers to the downy flour-coloured underside of its leaves. In 2000, a spanner was thrown into the works
