Petit Meslier

Also known as: Meslier Blanc, Meslier Petit

Petit Meslier is one of Champagne’s forgotten grape varieties – and not without reason. Extremely high in acidity, late-ripening, barely any yield. Most winemakers have long since grubbed it up. Only a few hold on to it because it brings something that Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier don’t have: an almost lemony sharpness that takes Champagne in a different direction.

Olivier Horiot in the Côte des Bar vinifies it as a single vineyard and shows how concentrated this grape can be. At Tarlant it is part of historic cuvées that bring the old Champagne grape varieties back into play. Bonnet-Ponson uses it for precision and length.