What does the Champagne term “blanc de blancs” mean?

In Champagne, “blanc de blancs” means white wine made exclusively from white grapes.

The style is most commonly associated with Chardonnay, Champagne’s principal white grape. Chardonnay-based blanc de blancs wines are often described as fresh, citrusy and elegant when young, though bottle ageing can add toast, pastry and nutty notes. Their exact character depends on the villages, vintages and winemaking choices involved.

The phrase literally means “white of whites.” It distinguishes the wine from ordinary white Champagne, which may also be made with black-skinned grapes such as Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier, provided the juice is pressed without extracting colour.

Blanc de blancs is not the same as a wine from one vineyard, one village or one vintage. A producer may blend Chardonnay from several sites and years while still using the term, unless the label adds a separate vintage or single-site designation.