Pinot Meunier, also known as Meunier, is a variety of black wine grape most noted for being one of the three main grapes used in the production of champagne and sparkling wines (the other two are the black Pinot noir and the white Chardonnay). Until recently, champagne makers did not acknowledge Pinot Meunier, preferring to emphasise the use of the other noble varieties, but now Pinot Meunier is gaining recognition for the body and richness it contributes to champagne and sparkling wines. It is believed to be a mutation of Pinot noir. It was first mentioned in the 1500s] and gets its name and synonyms (French meunier and German Müller - both meaning miller) from flour-like dusty white down on the underside of its leaves