WineGuessrRed grape variety
Pinot Meunier
Also called Meunier, Schwarzriesling, Müllerrebe, Miller's Burgundy
Pinot Meunier is a red grape from France, a mutation of Pinot, known mainly as one of the three main Champagne grapes. It gives supple, fruity base wines and makes up about a third of Champagne's vineyards, especially in the Marne Valley. Germany calls it Schwarzriesling.
| Color | Red (black-skinned) |
|---|---|
| Origin | France (a chimeric mutation of Pinot) |
| Body | Light to medium |
| Acidity | Medium to high |
| Tannin | Low |
| Typical aromas | yellow fruit, tart cherry, pomegranate, mushroom, rose, potting soil |
| Key regions | Champagne (France), Marne Valley (France), Württemberg (Germany), England (United Kingdom) |
Origin and history
Pinot Meunier is a chimeric mutation of Pinot: its inner cell layers have a genotype close to Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris, while the outer, epidermal layer carries a distinct mutation. That outer layer explains its name. The underside of its leaves is covered in white, flour-like down, and both the French meunier and the German Müller mean miller. Synonyms include Schwarzriesling and Müllerrebe in Germany and Miller's Burgundy in England. Because it buds later and ripens earlier than Pinot Noir, it is less exposed to spring frost and crop failure, which made it a dependable choice in cool northern vineyards. Over recent centuries it was at times the most planted grape in Champagne.
Where it grows
Champagne is Meunier's main home, where it accounts for about a third of plantings. It is concentrated in the Marne Valley and in areas with more clay soils, where its late budding protects it from frost; the Montagne de Reims, with grand crus such as Puisieulx, favours Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but also holds some Meunier. In Germany, Württemberg grows most of the country's Schwarzriesling: 1,795 of 2,424 hectares in 2006. It is also grown in England, where it is one of the three classic Champagne varieties used for sparkling wine by producers such as Nyetimber.
Taste, wine styles and food
Pinot Meunier adds roundness and fruit to Champagne, making supple base wines with distinctive yellow-fruit aromas. Compared with Pinot Noir it gives lighter-coloured wines with slightly higher acidity and very little tannin when made as a still red. As a still red, made for example as Schwarzriesling in Germany, it shows tart cherry, pomegranate, mushroom and rose, with an earthy edge. Its reliability in cool climates keeps it central to Champagne blends and to sparkling wine in other cool regions. Champagne with a large share of Meunier suits aperitifs, poultry and fish, while still Meunier pairs like light Pinot Noir with pork, roast duck, mushrooms or grilled vegetables. See Champagne vs Prosecco vs Cava for how sparkling wine styles compare.
Wines made with Pinot Meunier (2)
WineGuessr lists 2 wines made with Pinot Meunier, from 2 countries. Most come from the United Kingdom (1).
Pinot Meunier: questions and answers
Is Meunier the same as Pinot Meunier?
Yes. Meunier and Pinot Meunier are the same grape, also called Schwarzriesling or Müllerrebe in Germany.
What are the three Champagne grapes?
The three main Champagne grapes are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. Meunier accounts for about a third of the vineyard.
Why is it called Meunier?
Meunier means miller in French, a reference to the white, flour-like down on the underside of the vine's leaves.
What does Pinot Meunier taste like?
Pinot Meunier gives supple, fruity wines with yellow-fruit aromas in Champagne, and tart cherry, pomegranate and earthy notes as a still red. It has fresh acidity and very little tannin.
Other red grapes
All grape varieties →Sources: en.wikipedia.org, champagne.fr
Last reviewed October 2026.