Pinot Meunier
Pinot Meunier is one of Champagne’s great hidden gems—though often overlooked, it plays a vital role in sparkling wine and is gaining recognition as a distinctive varietal in its own right. A mutation of Pinot Noir, its name “Meunier” (French for “miller”) refers to the fine, flour-like down that coats the underside of its leaves.
Traditionally, Pinot Meunier has been a key blending grape in Champagne, valued for bringing bright fruitiness, early ripening, and freshness. As a still wine, it offers vivid red berry flavours—strawberry, raspberry, and cherry—alongside floral notes and gentle spice. Typically medium-bodied with lively acidity, it is softer and more approachable than Pinot Noir, yet full of charm.
For UK drinkers, Pinot Meunier is exciting both in English sparkling wines and increasingly as a varietal red. It pairs beautifully with charcuterie, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, and soft cheeses, making it a versatile, food-friendly choice.
Black Chalk Classic Sparkling White 2021 (6 Bottles) Andover, Hampshire, England
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A sophisticated blend of 50% Chardonnay, 38% Pinot Noir, and 12% Pinot Meunier, this wine embodies elegance and precision. The Chardonnay-led profile delivers a vibrant fruit focus, while a touch of malolactic fermentation adds a layer of richness and texture, perfectly balanced by the wine’s hallmark freshness.
On the palate, expect a textured and full-bodied experience, supported by bright acidity (8.5g/l) and subtle sweetness (5.4g/l residual sugar). The wine is aged for a minimum of 22 months on lees, enhancing complexity, with an additional 6 months on cork post-disgorgement to ensure perfect integration.
A versatile choice for any occasion. Enjoy as an aperitif with crisps and canapés, or elevate everyday dining by pairing with fried chicken. For a more refined match, complement its freshness and texture with shellfish such as oysters, crab, or prawns.
Court Garden Ditchling Sparkling Quartet (6 Bottles) Ditchling, East Sussex, England
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This blend replaces our highly successful Ditchling Reserve. Using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir Précoce, the wine has been longer in reserve and a large proportion has been barrel aged before bottling. Long aging on the lees has ensured a rich, but still fruity balance. Also awarded a gold medal at the 2021 International Wines & Spirits Competition; the judges commented “Stunning nose of honeycomb, bruised apple and brioche – like a fine dessert with apple four ways. It has lovely poise, classy and complex all held in perfect poise by the bright quintessentially English acidity”.
Gusbourne Down Field Vineyard Blanc de Meuniers 2018 (6 Bottles) Appledore, Kent, England
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Down Field gives powerful, defined styles of Pinot Meunier which are generous, precise, and elegant. The profile here is of wild strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, with red apple and ripe peach. There’s a touch of spice from the lees ageing.
Tasting note In the glass, this is light straw in colour with a delicate mousse. On the nose, this has strawberry, peach, and peach melba notes. The flavour profile is filled with vibrant red fruit – notes of wild strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, with red apple and ripe peach. Bright, elegant acidity matches with the juicy fruit to create a delicious, vibrant wine, with floral hints of rose and some red cherry pie. There’s a touch of spice from the lees ageing. Delicate and elegant, with lovely weight and poise, this is a beautiful expression of Pinot Meunier.
Hanwell ‘Classic’ 2018 (6 Bottles) Hickling Pastures, Nottinghamshire, England
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The Hanwell Classic is pale gold in colour with delicate, long-lasting bubbles. The beautifully complex bouquet combines aromas of green apples with fresh lemon and delicate toasted notes from ageing for 15 months on the lees in bottle. On the palate, the complexity continues with notes of soft lemon sherbet, biscuit and a yeasty character. Refreshing and perfectly balanced, with a delightfully long finish.
The champagne classic three: pinot meuniere, pinot noir and chardonnay grapes combined in this classic mix. Aged for 15 months on the lees in bottle, riddled, disgorged and ready to enjoy.
Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 2010 (6 Jeroboam Bottles) West Chiltington, West Sussex, England
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Something truly special, Nyetimber’s Vintage 2010 Classic Cuvee in jeroboam. Aromatic and full of flavour, it has superb drinkability now and is set to age wonderfully too.
The signature wine of Nyetimber is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier and is a perfect balance of elegance and intensity. The blend includes wines from all our vineyards and also from several vintages..
Nyetimber Multi-Vintage Classic Cuvee (6 Bottles) West Chiltington, West Sussex, England
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The signature wine of Nyetimber is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier and is a perfect balance of elegance and intensity. The blend includes wines from all our vineyards and also from several vintages.
The pale-golden hue and fine bubbles make our flagship Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage the ideal occasion-ready drink – whether it’s toasting a big birthday or simply finishing a busy week. Following extensive ageing in our cellar (usually more than three years), our Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage has distinctive toasty and spicy aromas. A palate of honey, almond, pastry and baked apples gives it a hint of decadence. Intense yet delicate, elegant yet complex – it’s no wonder it’s consistently crowned one of the best English sparkling wines.
Nyetimber Multi-Vintage Rosé (6 Bottles) West Chiltington, West Sussex, England
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A textured and generous rosé with a core of bright red fruit, evoking the English summer.
This beautiful sunset-pink Multi-Vintage rosé has us dreaming of long, sunny days. Offering a unique combination of aromas, including British summer fruits and shortbread. Its creamy, round texture and refreshing redcurrant, raspberry and cherry flavours give it an elegant and silky finish.
Plumpton Estate Brut Classic NV (6 Bottles) Plumpton, East Sussex, England
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Dry, with crisp acidity and a delicate, persistent mousse. This wine displays crisp apple and citrus fruit notes perfectly balanced with creamy brioche roundness and a long refreshing finish. Quality English sparkling wine at its finest!
Plumpton Estate Brut Classic NV is made by the traditional method using a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Grapes are hand-picked and fermented before our winemaker carefully crafts our signature blend with the help of our wine students. The wine spends at least 2 years ageing on lees in the bottle before riddling and disgorging.
Plumpton Estate Brut Rosé NV (6 Bottles) Plumpton, East Sussex, England
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Dry, with crisp acidity and a delicate, persistent mousse. A superb marriage between freshness and finesse. This wine displays white peach and strawberry notes with a creamy brioche roundness and a long elegant finish.
Plumpton Estate Brut Rosé is made by the traditional method using a classic blend of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. grapes are hand-picked and fermented before our winemaker carefully crafts our signature blend with the help of wine students. The wine spends at least two years ageing on lees in bottle. A splash of red Pinot Noir wine is added to give it a vibrant pink colour.
Raimes Classic 2020 (6 Bottles) Alresford, Hampshire, England
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An elegant wine, the palate is very expressive with ripe citrus, stone fruit, apple and pear, soft fine mousse and delicate patisserie finish
Our 2020 vintage is delicious to drink now and will become increasingly expressive with age. Should you choose to keep your wine store on its side in a cool, dry, dark place where the temperature is reasonably constant.
Raimes Demi-Sec 2017 (6 Bottles) Alresford, Hampshire, England
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A full bodied style that is lifted and fresh. Baked apple, ripe lemon, peach blossom and brioche. Super delicious!
Raimes Demi Sec 92 points "A Charming beautifully poised demi-sec sparkler from Raimes of South Downs. Bruised apple over a savoury tone of yeast. Partial ageing in oak followed by 42 months on lees gave the 2017 vintage a concentrated, textured palate of red apple, brioche and umami... The well-balanced red fruit sweetness comes from 34 g/l of sugar offset by 10g/l of acid with more weight and hazelnuts on the finish. Moreish and long.
Smith and Evans Higher Plot Sparkling 2018 (6 Bottles) Langport, Somerset, England
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This is quite possibly the best sparkling wine that we’ve made so far. The 2018 combines the richness of our 2013 and the depth of 2011 a balance that gives the best of both worlds. The wine is pretty much equal quantities of Chardonnay , Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with 15% Reserve Wine from previous vintages going right back to 2010 .
It was disgorged in late 2023after four years on the lees. It still has plenty of room for development and will continue to improve for five or more years.
The Grange The Pink NV (6 Bottles) Alresford, Hampshire, England
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A pale onion skin crossed with white peach threaded with a persistent, fine mousse.
The nose shows ripe red berry fruits - wild strawberry and cherries - overlaid with heady summer florals all held in a soft and bready frame. The addition of the 2015 and 2016 reserve wines bring a further layer of complexity with toasted nuts and sweet spice.
Thanks to the long lees ageing it is rich and round on the palate, with notes of raspberry, cranberry and redcurrant held in a delightful creaminess, but the fresh acidity provides the perfect balance and leads to a refreshing but persistent and luxurious finish.
The Grange The White From Black 2020 (6 Bottles) Alresford, Hampshire, England
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Luscious white stone and orchard fruit on the nose that integrates with lightly toasted nuts, sweet spice, and buttered patisserie. The palate is oily and mouthcoating yet balanced by a refreshing saline acidity.
Pairs well wit:
Cured meats
Buttery mince pies
Leftover turkey gratin
Crumbly, creamy cheddar
Westwell Multi Vintage Pinot Meunier (6 Bottles) Westwell, Kent, England
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Each year 400kg of fruit were whole bunch pressed and allowed to ferment spontaneously. In 2021 the fermenting juice was added to the existing base wine and bottled when the correct sugar level was reached. No additions were made at any point during the process. Disgorged with zero dosage.
Colour: Rose gold
Nose: White flowers, pomelo
Palate: Peach tea, yellow plum with a savoury saline finish
Food match: Serve chilled with grilled trout or cucumber sandwiches
