Blanc de Noir is a French expression used to describe white wines made from red grapes. This is possible because the pulp of red grapes, with few exceptions, is actually colourless and as long as there is minimal contact between the must and the skin, the result is a white wine.
On the palate, this style of wine tends to be more full-bodied, dense and heavy and often displays aromas of red fruit, a characteristic note of red wines.
Blanc de Noir was born in Champagne, and it is in fact sparkling wines that we think of when we hear the term. But today there are countless producers making still whites using this method, despite the challenges inherent in this style of production.
The most iconic of them all is Ervideira's Invisivel from Alentejo. Using the aromatic potential of Aragonêz, this white wine was born, full of aromas of Grey tea, mint and lime peel. The palate is fresh, with good acidity and a very elegant final structure. 17 points in Vinho Grandes Escolhas magazine.
Further north, in the Douro, we can find Quinta Nova Blanc de Noir Reserve. Made with the traditional Tinta Roriz from which all the components that make this wine unique and sublime have been extracted. Delicate citrus aromas combined with white stone fruit support its complex, vibrant and enigmatic flavour. With a remarkable firmness granted by its origin in red grapes, this is a wine with a compact body, fresh and tense, endless and with great precision, as great wines should be. Press Choice 2024, 90 points Wine Enthusiast, 93 points James Suckling (67th place in the Top 100 Portuguese Wines)...
Today we leave you with several suggestions of Portuguese white wines made from red grapes. Get to know them and enter the marvellous world of Blanc de Noir.
