Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make a white varietal wine.
It is believed to be named after the village of Chardonnay in the Mâconnais region of France, where Pouilly-Fuissé is currently produced and it is possible that the variety was first bred there. DNA fingerprinting research at the University of California, Davis suggests that Chardonnay has originated as a cross between Pinot and the Croatian Gouais Blanc grape varieties. Gouais Blanc is not popular in its own right and is almost extinct.
Chardonnay is also known by the names Aubaine, Beaunois, Melon Blanc, and, historically Pinot Chardonnay.
Part of the attraction of Chardonnay, for wine makers and lovers alike, is its versatility. In the U.S., it is often made using full malolactic fermentation with some oak handling. Without oak, Chardonnay generally produces a soft wine, often with fruity, minerally flavors. When aged with oak, Chardonnay acquires a smokey, vanilla, caramel, and butter aroma.
In the historic home of Chardonnay, the much cooler climate winemaking region of Chablis, oak treatment of wine has traditionally been unpopular. Malolactic fermentation is not typically used either. This produces a wine with generally more noticeable acidity which focus on minerality and purity. Other regions of Burgundy produce more full bodied styles which have oak and cheese like aromas.
Chardonnay is also an important component in Champagne, and there are some 100% Chardonnay Champagnes, labeled blanc de blancs. It is also used by sparkling wine producers who want to produce a Champagne-like wine.
In 2001, Chardonnay stood eighth-ranked in global planting of grape varieties by area, with an estimated 140,000 hectares, mostly in the United States of America, France, Australia and Italy. Its popularity (and its vapidity, according to some) have caused a backlash from some wine lovers, who declare themselves interested in ABC, or Anything But Chardonnay. Wine expert Oz Clarke noted that some wine drinkers view Chardonnay as ``...the ruthless colonizer and destroyer of the world\'s vineyards and the world\'s palates.`` This popularity led to a character in the British TV series Footballers\' Wives being named Chardonnay.
In Australia and New Zealand, Chardonnay varietal wines are among the most popular white wines. As of 2005, Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape in Australia.
Australia is one of the few locales where Chardonnay is blended to make a still wine. The traditional blending partner there is Sémillon.
This article is based entirely or in part on the
Chardonnay wikipedia article
and is licenced under the terms of the
GNU Free Documentation Licence.
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In this categoryAraucano Chardonnay 2006
A careful blend of partly barrel-fermented wine and partial malolactic fermentation to create a complex wine half way between a New World style CHardonnay and a classic Chablis. [read on...]
A B V: 13% Vintage: 2006 Color: unspecifie Country: Chile Code: 66195
Ardeche Sparkling Chardonnay Brut
A good sparkle with a golden colour and gentle bubble. Left on its lees to give it extra character and complexity it is medium bodied with fine acidity and fruit. Great value. [read on...]
A B V: 12% Vintage: non-vintag Color: white Country: France Region: Ardeche Code: 70061
Beaujolais Blanc 2008
Produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown on 30 year old vines, gently pressed and then cold fermented below 20degC for three weeks. All of which adds up to a beautiful full bodied wine, expressive, rich and complex on the nose, fat in the mouth and long on the farewell with a hint of honey and white flowers. Goes equally well as an aperitif or with food especially fish, chicken in cream sauce and hot goats cheese salad. [read on...]
A B V: 12.5% Vintage: non-vintag Color: white Country: France Code: 73762
Beaujolais-Villages Blanc 2010 Nugues
This clasasic white Chardonnay is unoaked. It was left on its 'lees' for 2-3 months to add complexity to its flavour and early bottling ensured that its delicious fresh, youthful fruit was conserved. Intense complex aromas of white and yellow fruits (peaches) follow onto the palate to add to the citrus and white flowers. Full, round and rich, it really is a quality match for fine Burgundy. [read on...]
A B V: 13% Vintage: 2010 Color: red Country: France Code: 76595
Bonnievale C C C White 2010
A light crisp easy drinking fruity dry white wine produced from three cultivars starting with the letter C. Chenin Blanc, Colombar and Chardonnay Awarded 'Best Value Wine 2011' by Wine Magazine. [read on...]
A B V: 12.5% Vintage: 2010 Color: white Country: South Africa Code: 75918
Bonnievale C C C White Medium Dry 2010
Pale straw colour, fruity, grapey nose and pleasing medium dry flavour (although semi-sweet appears on the label) with a blend of tropical and floral flavours and a fine crispness giving the wine harmonious balance. Produced from cultivars starting with the letter C - Chenin Blanc, Colombar and Chardonnay. Alc. 12. 5% [read on...]
A B V: 12.5% Vintage: 2010 Color: white Code: 75926
Bonnievale Chardonnay 2010
Alc 14% Clean, attractive, floral, subtle yet alluring bouquet, banana, peach and dried fruit in the flavour with just a brush of oak to add complexity. Astonishingly,for such a pocket friendly wine, it was awarded the prestigious Michelangelo Double Gold Medal. [read on...]
A B V: 14% Vintage: 2010 Color: white Country: South Africa Code: 75943
Bourgogne Aligote 2008
Aligote is the secondary grape of Burgundy. Although not as elegant as Chardonnay, in good vintages some excellent wines are made which are very crisp, fresh and thirst quenching. Invariably it is drunk younbg, goes well with oysters and is famous as a perfect wine base for making 'kir'. The aroma of this wine has notes of green apples and limes, with citrus, melon, strawberries on the palate adding to its appeal. [read on...]
A B V: 12.5% Vintage: 2008 Color: white Country: France Code: 72042
Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay 2008
Produced from Chardonnay grapes grown near Auxerre this so called "simple Chablis" style Burgundy is by no means simple or rodinary. The nose is fresh and vivacious with notes of citrus and acacia flowers. The flavour is full and round with hints of white flowers, lemon and brioche. It has real character and quality about it and offers fine value. [read on...]
A B V: 12.5% Vintage: 2008 Color: white Country: France Code: 72311
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