What is the difference between blanc de blancs, white and rosé champagne?

Developed using the same Champagne method, white, rosé, and Blanc de Blancs Champagnes nevertheless possess their own characteristics. The choice of grape varieties, blends, and maceration techniques contribute to making a white Champagne, rosé Champagne, or Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Furthermore, this Champagne comparison isn't limited to the wine's color; there are also differences in terms of aromas. To help you understand, Maison De Lozey explains the difference between white Champagne, rosé Champagne, and Blanc de Blancs Champagne:

1. Champagnes: Differences related to grape varieties
2. White, rosé, and Blanc de Blancs Champagnes: Differences in aromas
3. Specifics of Champagne production

Champagnes: Differences Related to Grape Varieties

In Champagne, when making a Champagne comparison, it's essential to talk about grape varieties. Indeed, these grapes give character to Champagne and determine whether it becomes a white, rosé, or Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

The primary grape varieties used for Champagne production are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. In addition to these major varieties, minor ones like Pinot Gris, Arbane, or Pinot Blanc can also be used. Our Maison, De Lozey, tends to utilize Pinot Blanc rather than Pinot Meunier. If you're curious why, we invite you to discover the secrets of our Maison De Lozey's grape varieties.

Returning to the difference between white Champagne, rosé Champagne, and Blanc de Blancs Champagne, it comes down to their composition. Here are the details:

• White Champagne is a traditional brut Champagne. Therefore, it can be produced by blending different grape varieties. Thus, you can find white Champagnes made from blends of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, or even Pinot Blanc. The latter accounts for 10% of the production at De Lozey Champagnes, and we use it in our finest Champagnes. Our Champagne with Pinot Blanc is one of our specialties.
• Blanc de Blancs Champagne is exclusively produced with Chardonnay grapes. It is made solely from white grapes, although it can be a blend of different cuvées. The difference between Blanc de Blancs Champagne and white Champagne lies in its 100% Chardonnay blend. These Blanc de Blancs cuvées with brioche notes enjoy higher prestige than brut Champagne. They are considered the finest in Champagne, known for their fresh and floral aromas, primarily those of Chardonnay, appealing to Champagne enthusiasts.
• Rosé Champagne can result from either blending a red Champagne wine with white wine or using 100% Pinot grapes. The addition of red wine to the juice obtained from red and white grapes is a unique characteristic of Champagne. Rosé Champagne made from 100% Pinot grapes is called Rosé de Saignée. Our Maison De Lozey has chosen to produce Rosé de Saignée Champagne using 100% Pinot Noir grapes. For Rosé de Saignée Champagne, the grape skins are preserved during the initial days of maceration. This allows the tannins from the grape skins to be released, giving the must and juice their lovely pink color. They are then filtered to remove any remaining skin residue.

Undoubtedly, the difference between rosé and white Champagne lies in the grape varieties, as well as the production processes. This includes the art of blending, which imparts a unique characteristic to the still wine. Dive into the secrets of De Lozey Champagnes' production and discover the art of blending explained in 3 minutes.

White, Rosé, and Blanc de Blancs Champagnes: Differences in Aromas

The difference between rosé and white Champagne also lies in their aromas. These aromas remain specific to the grape varieties used in their production, giving each its characteristic aromatic notes. For De Lozey Champagnes, this range of nuances is essential. It allows us to create new blends following our specific methods. Additionally, it gives identity to our prestige Champagnes, such as our Brut Tradition Champagne. Some are even made from blends of our finest grape varieties.

Aromas of Blanc de Blancs Champagne

What sets Blanc de Blancs Champagne apart from other Champagnes is that it's 100% Chardonnay. As a result, it develops light notes of white flowers, unlike Pinot, which has scents of red fruits. In addition to cherry and currant scents, Pinot's floral notes are more reminiscent of peonies or roses. Chardonnay is a grape variety known for its vivacity and minerality. The aromas of Chardonnay evolve over time and can be characterized as follows:

• From 2 to 3 years: Multiple notes emerge, including white flowers, linden, and hawthorn. These floral notes are accompanied by hints of citrus and exotic fruits. Additionally, spicy notes like vanilla, ginger, anise, or mint become apparent.
• Between 3 and 8 years: This stage is about balance and maturity. Aromas shift from brioche and pastries to gradually develop roasted nuances.
• Beyond 6/8 years, complexity and fullness emerge. Aromas include toasted bread, gingerbread, and quince paste.

De Lozey Blanc de Blancs Champagne displays great smoothness and length on the palate. It is aged on lees for 6 years to bring out the best of its aromas. Additionally, we also offer a wood-aged Blanc de Blancs Champagne. This Champagne is a prestigious cuvée from Domaine de Lozey. Besides its golden color, it offers complexity on the palate. Aging in oak barrels imparts woody and vanilla notes, without masking the fruity character of Chardonnay.

Aromas of Rosé Champagne

As mentioned earlier, the difference between rosé and white Champagne primarily lies in the grape varieties. Rosé Champagne is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. As a result, the aromas of Rosé Champagne are distinctive, reflecting a harmonious combination of Chardonnay's fresh notes and Pinot Noir's red fruit notes. Unlike Chardonnay, whose aromas evolve significantly over the years, Pinot Noir maintains its red fruit notes, only revealing hazelnut, coffee, and raisin aromas beyond 6/8 years of aging. Rosé de Saignée Champagne from our Maison De Lozey expresses itself delicately and elegantly, with intense and sweet notes of strawberry and cherry, subtly enhanced by a hint of currant.

Specifics of Champagne Production

From a purely technical standpoint, there aren't significant differences in the production methods of Champagnes. Whether they are white, Blanc de Blancs, or blend rosé, they are produced in the same manner. Since they are Champagne AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée), they are crafted following the Champagne method.

Whether it's white Champagne or Blanc de Blancs Champagne, the Champagne production steps are the same. They follow the same step-by-step manufacturing process. The only difference lies in the blending step, which primarily pertains to grape varieties rather than the method itself. Each production step adheres to the Champagne method's specifications. Whether the Champagne is white or Blanc de Blancs, it will always aim to produce brut, extra-brut, or sec Champagne.

The only notable difference is between rosé and white Champagne. Rosé Champagne can be made either by blending or by the saignée method, which is unique. To fully understand the intricacies of this method, we invite you to visit Maison De Lozey and learn about the production of Rosé de Saignée Champagne. Now you know everything about the difference between white Champagne, rosé Champagne, and Blanc de Blancs Champagne. The real difference you'll notice when purchasing will be on your palate. Consider whether you prefer fresh and floral notes or red fruit notes. Of course, this is highly individualized, but it can already serve as a criterion for distinguishing between rosé and white Champagne. If you'd like more guidance in your choice, you can read several of our articles on Champagne and food pairings. For example, summer fruits paired with Champagne: the best pairings to choose between Rosé de Saignée or Brut Tradition. For aperitif pairings, we invite you to read Champagnes and Appetizers, our tips for a successful moment. And finally, when it comes to cheese, which Champagne pairs best with which cheese? Découvrir nos champagnes