Meunier
Vitis vinifera L.
A mutation of Pinot with downy leaves, and the third grape of Champagne.
Where Meunier comes from and grows
Country of origin as given by VIVC. Regions are those where the atlas sources mention the variety; not a complete list of where it grows.
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A Pinot in a different coat
Meunier is not a cross. VIVC records it as a mutation of Pinot Noir, confirmed by DNA markers.1 The mutation mainly affects the hairiness of the plant.2 It is not fully stable: some clones show frequent reverse mutations that can make the meunier character disappear.2
Where it grows
Meunier is used above all for sparkling wines.2 It accounts for 31% of plantings in Champagne.3 It suits soils with more clay, such as those of the Marne Valley, and because it buds later it is less exposed to frost than Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.3
In France it covered 5,603 hectares in 1958 and 12,054 hectares in 2018.2
Other names
Examples of synonyms recorded in VIVC: Auvernat Meunier, Black Cluster, Blanc Meunier, Auvergnat Gris, Blanche Feuille.1
Around the world
In 2023 it covered 23,037 hectares of bearing vineyards worldwide, ranking 38 of 1497 varieties in the database.4
The largest area is in France: 20,613 ha (89% of the world total), across 19 countries.4
Between 2000 and 2023 its area grew by 76%.4
Area, 2023
Regions
Sources
- VIVC passport data: PINOT MEUNIER. Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI), Geilweilerhof, accessed 2026-10-14. level 2 · checked 2026-10-13
- Meunier N. plantGrape (IFV / INRAE / Institut Agro), accessed 2026-10-14. level 2 · checked 2026-10-13
- Champagne and its grape varieties. Comité Champagne, accessed 2026-10-14. level 4 · checked 2026-10-13
- Database of Regional, National and Global Winegrape Bearing Areas by Variety, 2000 to 2023. Anderson K., Nelgen S., Puga G. Wine Economics Research Centre, University of Adelaide (CC BY 4.0), 2026. level 3 · checked 2026-10-13