Thiénot : Garance Blanc de Noirs 2016

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Thiénot Garance Blanc de Noirs 2016

Tasting

Appearance
Made from a gentle pressing of black grape varieties, this Champagne reveals a white colour, achieved without any extraction of colour from the skins, in keeping with the winemaking method specific to Blanc de Noirs.

Nose
The nose reflects the pursuit of finesse, fruit and freshness that defines the style of Maison Thiénot, with fruity nuances led mainly by Pinot Noir, which Meunier may complement.

Palate
On the palate, the wine combines the structure provided by the black grape varieties with an elegant freshness, in keeping with the fine, fruity style sought by Maison Thiénot for its cuvées in the Family Collection.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Blanc de Noirs pairs beautifully with white meats in cream and mushroom sauces, noble fish prepared with reduced jus, and soft-rind cheeses with a bloomy rind, whose milky richness finds an echo in the wine's vinous structure.

Serving and Cellaring

Like most Champagnes of this type, Garance Blanc de Noirs 2016 is best enjoyed chilled, with no particular need for decanting, in a flute or a wine glass that allows its aromatic expression to be fully appreciated.

A Racy Blanc de Noirs with Lovely Length

The Estate

Founded in 1985 in Taissy, near Reims, in Champagne, Thiénot is now run by Garance and Stanislas Thiénot, supported by cellar master Nicolas Uriel, under the guidance of their father Alain Thiénot, the founding owner. The vineyard extends over approximately 27 to 30 hectares, mostly in Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites. A family-owned, independent House, Thiénot stands out for its Family Collection, whose vintage cuvées bear the first names of family members.

The Vineyard

This cuvée comes from plots of black grape varieties located notably in the great historic valley of Aÿ, renowned for its powerful, structured Pinot Noirs, as well as in Premier Cru villages such as Dizy and Cumières. The vines grow in the chalky soils typical of the Champagne region, a terroir that gives Maison Thiénot's black grapes an expression that is both rich and fresh.

Winemaking and Ageing

The creation of Garance Blanc de Noirs 2016 draws on the meticulous, artisanal expertise of Maison Thiénot, where Stanislas Thiénot, in charge of the winery, works with cellar master Nicolas Uriel to translate the family's stylistic choices. The black grapes are pressed gently to obtain a white wine with no colour extraction, then the wine is aged on lees in bottle before release.

Grape Varieties

This Blanc de Noirs is crafted from black grape varieties of Champagne, principally Pinot Noir, possibly complemented by Pinot Meunier.