Like many phrases that appear on wine labels, there's a lot more nuance to the designation than meets the eye. First off, there can be a subtle difference between 'blanc de blancs' (sparkling wines made with more than one varietal of white grape) and 'blanc de blanc' (which is made from a single varietal of white grape). In Champagne, blanc de blanc is more common. These wines are made in the traditional method and are typically composed of Chardonnay grapes, which is how most well-informed consumers expect them to be made. But that's not always the case. Moreover, the term now appears on bottles around the globe that may-or may not-differ vastly from blanc de blanc that hail from Champagne.
"When we say 'blanc de blancs,' we will always associate it with Chardonnay, but technically there are four other grapes that are allowed," says Nina Granados, sommelier at L.A.'s Juliet, which boasts an extensive all-French wine list. They are Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris-which, not coincidentally, are also the only grapes that can be grown in Champagne outside of the region's three primary grapes: red Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and white Chardonnay.
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