Gruet Blanc De Noirs

Gruet Blanc De Noirs is a méthode champenoise sparkling wine from New Mexico, bottled at 12% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 90 points from Wine Spectator — which praised its elegance and creamy richness — this Pinot Noir-dominant cuvée has earned a reputation as one of the most compelling American sparkling wines relative to its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: New Mexico, USA  |  NV (Non-Vintage)  |  Producer: Gruet Winery

Production & Heritage

Gruet Winery was founded by the Gruet family, who brought generations of Champagne-making expertise from their roots in Bethon, France, to the high-altitude desert of New Mexico — vineyards situated at over 4,000 feet elevation. The Blanc de Noirs is composed of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, produced using traditional méthode champenoise with secondary fermentation occurring entirely in the bottle. The wine undergoes a minimum of 24 months of sur lie aging, a duration that rivals many non-vintage Champagnes and contributes significantly to its biscuity complexity and creamy mousse.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with yeasty, toasted brioche notes before revealing layers of raspberry, cherry, and baked pear. A subtle thread of vanilla and hazelnut emerges as the wine warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is crisp and bright, with tart apple and lemon giving way to a richer mid-palate of Anjou pear, cinnamon bread, and chalky minerality. Fine, persistent bubbles carry the fruit through a creamy yet structured mouthfeel that belies the wine's modest price point.

Finish: Medium in length with refreshing acidity and lingering notes of toasted almond and saline. A gentle spiciness and hint of dried earth round out the close.

How to Drink Gruet Blanc de Noirs

Serve well chilled at 40–45°F in a tulip glass to concentrate the aromatics while letting the bubbles express themselves fully. This sparkler also works beautifully in cocktails: try it in a French 75, where its Pinot Noir backbone stands up to the gin and lemon; in a Kir Royale, where its pale salmon hue and cherry notes harmonize naturally with crème de cassis; or in a Bellini, where the baked pear character amplifies the peach purée.

Best For

• Hosting a sparkling wine tasting that compares American bubbles to Champagne
• Gifting to wine lovers who appreciate value-driven méthode champenoise
• Pairing at holiday dinners or celebratory brunches
• Introducing someone to serious American sparkling wine beyond California

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gruet Blanc de Noirs taste like? It delivers crisp apple and lemon up front, transitioning into richer flavors of baked pear, raspberry, and cinnamon bread, with a creamy texture and fine persistent bubbles throughout.

How does Gruet Blanc de Noirs compare to non-vintage Champagne? Reviewers consistently note that Gruet delivers complexity and finesse comparable to many non-vintage Champagnes, owing to its authentic méthode champenoise production and 24-month lees aging, but at roughly half the price of most entry-level Champagne. The high-altitude New Mexico terroir produces a leaner, more mineral-driven profile compared to the fuller body typical of Reims or Épernay.

Is Gruet Blanc de Noirs good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 24 months of lees aging give it enough depth, toast, and textural richness to drink on its own with the same attention you would give a quality Champagne.

Where is Gruet Blanc de Noirs made? It is produced by Gruet Winery in New Mexico, USA, where vineyards sit at elevations exceeding 4,000 feet. The Gruet family originally hails from the Champagne region of France and brought their traditional winemaking methods to the American Southwest.

What foods pair well with Gruet Blanc de Noirs? Smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés complement the wine's toasty, saline notes. Roast chicken or turkey echo its baked pear and spice character. Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie work with the creamy mousse, while sushi or oysters highlight its crisp acidity. Apple tarts or almond pastries mirror the fruit and nut aromas on the nose.

What sizes does Gruet Blanc de Noirs come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Gruet Blanc de Noirs worth the price? Gruet Blanc de Noirs positions firmly as a premium-quality sparkler at an accessible price tier, frequently cited by critics and consumers as delivering méthode champenoise complexity that punches well above its weight class — evidenced by its 90-point Wine Spectator score and Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Why Gruet Blanc de Noirs?

What separates this wine from other American sparkling options is the convergence of Old World technique and New World terroir. Twenty-four months on lees — the same duration many respected Champagne houses use for their non-vintage cuvées — builds genuine complexity rather than relying on dosage or shortcuts. The 90-point Wine Spectator rating and 95-point Cheers Magazine score confirm what the glass already tells you: this is serious sparkling wine. For anyone exploring méthode champenoise beyond France or California, Gruet Blanc de Noirs represents one of the most credible and rewarding discoveries in the American wine landscape.