Blanc de Blanc literally means “white from white.” In sparkling wine, it refers to a wine made entirely from white grapes — most often Chardonnay. This contrasts with most Champagnes that are a blend of three grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
In Champagne, Blanc de Blanc is celebrated for its finesse, brightness, and ability to age gracefully. Today, this elegant style is crafted not only in France but also in California and many other regions around the world.
At Amista, our Blanc de Blanc is one of our most beloved sparkling wines, made from Chardonnay grown in our estate vineyards in Dry Creek Valley from organically certified grapes.
What Makes Blanc de Blanc Unique
The hallmark of Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine is its purity and precision. Because it is typically made from 100% Chardonnay, the flavor profile leans toward citrus, green apple, pear, and sometimes a mineral edge. With time on the lees, it can develop creaminess, brioche notes, and a lovely depth that balances the crisp fruit. Compared to blends that include Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier, Blanc de Blanc is usually lighter, brighter, and more linear on the palate.
How Blanc de Blanc Is Made
Blanc de Blanc sparkling wines are most often crafted using the Méthode traditionnelle — the same process perfected in Champagne. After the first fermentation, the still base wine is bottled with a small addition of yeast and sugar, which creates bubbles during a second fermentation inside the bottle. The wine then rests on its lees (the spent yeast cells), which add texture, body, and those toasty notes that make sparkling wine so irresistible.
Blanc de Blanc vs. Blanc de Noirs
One of the most common questions we hear is, “What’s the difference between Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Noirs?” While Blanc de Blanc is made from white grapes, Blanc de Noirs — meaning “white from black” — is made from red grapes such as Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier. Both are sparkling wines, both are often made in the traditional method, but the flavors are distinct. Blanc de Blanc tends to be crisp, citrusy, and mineral-driven, while Blanc de Noirs offers more body, with red fruit tones like strawberry, raspberry, or cherry.
Is Blanc de Blanc Sweet?
It’s usually dry. Fine Blanc de Blancs from Champagne and elsewhere in the world are typically on the dryer side, designated as Brut, Extra Brut or Brut Nature. The sweetness is determined by the amount of dosage (a mixture of wine and sugar) that is added to the sparkling wine just before the cork and cage are put on the bottle.
There are several levels of sweetness designated for Champagne and sparkling wines as measured by the number of grams per liter of sugar added. Here is the list from the sweetest to the dryest:
• Doux – more than 50 grams of sugar per liter
• Demi-sec – 32-50 grams of sugar per liter
• Sec – 17-32 grams of sugar per liter
• Extra Dry – 12-17 grams of sugar per liter
• Brut – less than 12 grams of sugar per liter
• Extra Brut – 0-6 grams of sugar per liter
• Brut Nature – 0-3 grams of sugar per liter
Over the years, we’ve noticed that more people prefer their sparkling wines on the drier side. That’s why most of our current Amista sparkling wines are crafted in the Extra Brut or Brut Nature style.
Blanc de Blanc Around the World
Champagne
The Champagne region in France is the birthplace of Blanc de Blanc, especially prized in regions like the Côte des Blancs. Many collectors treasure vintage Blanc de Blanc Champagnes for their ability to age.
California
Sparkling wines are made in several regions in California. In Sonoma County, Chardonnay thrives in our diverse climates and soils. At Amista, we’ve found that Chardonnay from Dry Creek Valley produces sparkling wines with lively acidity, delicate fruit, and a refreshing finish.
Other Regions
Italy (Franciacorta), Spain (Cava), and even England are making Blanc de Blanc sparkling wines, each with their own regional signature.
How to Enjoy Blanc de Blanc
Blanc de Blanc is wonderfully versatile. Its bright acidity makes it a perfect aperitif, refreshing the palate before a meal. It pairs beautifully with oysters, shellfish, sushi, and fresh cheeses. It also shines with lighter poultry dishes and can surprise you with how well it complements salty snacks like popcorn or potato chips. And of course, Blanc de Blanc is perfect for celebrating life’s everyday joys. Karen MacNeil, author of the Wine Bible says, “Blanc de Blancs…is the best wine ever for a hot summer night.”
Amista Vineyards Blanc de Blanc from Certified Organic Grapes
Our Blanc de Blanc is made from estate-grown Chardonnay, farmed organically in Morningsong Vineyards. Achieving organic certification from CCOF in 2024 was a milestone for us, and we are proud that all our sparkling wines now come from organically certified grapes. The Blanc de Blanc is one of our purest expressions of Chardonnay — crisp, vibrant, and full of life. It’s a wine that reflects both our vineyard and our passion for Méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines.
A Final Thought
Whether from Champagne or Dry Creek Valley, Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine offers a distinctive expression of Chardonnay. And although as proprietor of Amista Vineyards, I probably should not admit to having a favorite, this is my go-to sparkling wine!
I invite you to experience it for yourself — join us in Healdsburg to taste our Blanc de Blanc or order from our online collection to enjoy at home and raise a glass to friendship, celebration, and the beauty of wine country living. We have several sparkling wines made in the classic Méthode Traditionelle, as well as a collection of estate grown Rhône wines.
Still Thirsty?
If you want to learn more, here is a curated list of resources.
What is Blanc de Blancs? Sparkling Discoveries
What does Blanc de Blancs Mean in Wine? Wine Enthusiast
Blanc de Blancs, Wine Spectator
