Chardonnay is the world’s most popular white wine made from green-skinned grapes. The Chardonnay white grapes have a long and noble history that begins with its Old World roots in Burgundy. This grape eventually came into California and became the most widely planted variety. The Napa Valley Chardonnay is extremely popular because the wine the fruit produces appeals to a large audience.
Where Does Chardonnay Come From?
Chardonnay is primarily grown in France’s Burgundy region. Apart from that, the grapes are grown in other parts of the world as well, like:
France
About 46% of the world’s Chardonnay is grown in France. Some of the most prestigious French Chardonnay wines come from Chablis, Montrachet, and Pouilly-Fuisse.
The USA
The Chardonnay grapes are also widely grown in the California wine region of the USA. It is primarily found in Napa Valley, Carneros, Sonoma County, and Paso Robles. Most California Chardonnay wines have a ripe fruit flavor with mild acidity.
Australia
The Chardonnay grapes have been grown in Australia since 1832. It is mainly found in South Australia and is used for creating easy-drinking wines with fruity flavors and acidity.
Italy
Chardonnay is primarily planted in Apulia, Sicily, and Lombardy in Italy. It is blended with other white grapes like Cortese, Pinot Bianco, and Albana in this region.
How Is Chardonnay Made?
Chardonnay wine is made using an extensive process. The entire process includes:
Pressing: The grapes are pressed after harvesting to separate the clear juice from the skin.
Fermentation: The juice is then fermented alcoholically, where the yeast consumes the sugar and converts it into alcohol. The wine may go through an additional step of malolactic fermentation, where malic acid converts into lactic acid, resulting in the wine’s distinct buttery flavor.
Aging: The wine then ages in stainless steel containers or new oak barrels.
Racking: The wine is bottled after the clear juice is separated from the dead yeast.
What Does Chardonnay Taste Like?
Chardonnay has a natural fruit taste similar to melons or autumn orchard fruits like pears and apples. It can be made elegant and light or buttery and full-bodied. Usually, it is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine with moderate alcohol and acidity. It may taste different based on where it is grown and made. When grown in calcium-rich soils, it has a subtle brininess and hints of chalk. When grown in warm climates, its taste showcases more tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, papaya, and guava. Chardonnay stored in oak will have aromas and flavors of vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon and a more buttery note if it has gone through malolactic fermentation. The wine has both primary and secondary flavors.
Primary Flavors
The wine’s primary flavors range from lemon zest and chalk to tropical fruits like pineapple and baked apples. The harvest date and the climate where the grapes are grown are responsible for this wide range of flavors. The colder the climate, the more citrus the grapes become. In warmer climates, the fruits develop more sugar and lose acidity. Its flavors are deeper, riper, and richer.
Secondary Flavor
Chardonnay can also develop secondary flavors from the wine-making process. The wine will have a flavor of vanilla, coconut, nutmeg, and cinnamon if the wine is aged in oak. The origin of the wood, shape, toast level and length of time in contact with the wine will impact the intensity of the flavors. The second flavor that comes from the wine-making process is Diacetyl. It gives the wine a buttery flavor.
How Should Chardonnay Be Served?
Chardonnay should be served chilled like all white wines. The alcohol will taste hot and the flavors muddled if the wine is too warm. The ideal temperature to serve Chardonnay is between 50 and 55 F. You can store an unfinished bottle by replacing the cork and putting it back in the fridge. The flavors can stay fresh for two-four days, beyond which the wine will begin to oxidize.
Food Pairings
Chardonnay is extremely versatile when it comes to food pairings. It pairs excellently with Brie-style cheese. Because of its buttery flavors and textures, the wine can also be paired with lobsters. The bolder, oaked Chardonnay will pair well with crab cakes, halibut, clams, or pork tenderloin with apples. It tastes great with pumpkin, corn, mushrooms, and squash. The unoaked Chardonnay is great with raw seafood like sushi, oysters, pate, sauteed fish, chicken piccata, and vegetable risotto.
Chardonnay is so popular among wine lovers that it has almost become synonymous with white wine. Cakebread Cellars offer a wide range of Napa Valley Chardonnay. You can tour this family-owned winery and enjoy its wines in one of the state-of-the-art tasting rooms or outdoor courtyards.
