French term (white from black) for a wine made from dark (blue to black) red wine grapes in a similar way to a white wine (no mash fermentation). This is obligatory for Champagne in order to be able to produce a white wine from the red wine grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (there is no red Champagne). If the result is not completely white, it is called taché. In order to produce a light wine from dark grapes, gentle pressing is required so that not too many colouring substances from the skins get into the must. The must is separated from the skins as quickly as possible and only then is fermentation completed.
![]()
As honorary chairman of the Domäne Wachau, it is the easiest and quickest way for me to access the wein.plus encyclopaedia when I have questions. The certainty of receiving well-founded and up-to-date information here makes it an indispensable guide.
Hans-Georg Schwarz
Ehrenobmann der Domäne Wachau (Wachau)