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 categoryGroot Eiland Chardonnay 2009
Fruity Chardonnay with citrus and vanilla flavours on the palate with a touch of crispness to balance and give a pleasant aftertaste. [read on...]
A B V: 14% Vintage: 2009 Color: white Country: South Africa Code: 74301
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
Chardonnay, Terre d`Amandier 2004
A delicious Chardonnay produced from a greatly restricted harvest and
selected vineyard parcels and partially matured in oak. It has rich and
creamy aromas with a hint of oak and praline. The flavour has traces of
honey, acacia flowers and a subtle elegance. [read on...]
A B V: 13% Vintage: 2004 Color: Country: France Region: Ardeche Code: 63606
Cuvée Orelie Blanc 2010
Verstaile, easy drinking dry white with an attractive fruity bouquet and pleasing flavour with a touch of citrus on the finish. [read on...]
A B V: 12.5% Vintage: 2010 Color: white Country: France Region: Ardeche Code: 75579
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
Chardonnay Paysage 2010
A really delicious inexpensive unoaked Chardonnay which is versatile and will appeal to a wide spectrum of palates. Well rounded with flavours of citrus, apricots, peaches. This will go as easily as an aperitif as with food such as white meats with sauces. [read on...]
A B V: 13.5% Vintage: 2010 Color: white Country: France Region: Ardeche Code: 76387
Jordan Chardonnay Unoaked 2009
After cold settling for two days the juice was tank-filtered and left 'sur- lie' (on the yeast) for four months with occassional 'batonage' (stirring) to accentiate the leesy character. Fresh limey-citrus and floral oromas with underlying tropical fruit and winter melon flavours with a touch of butterscotch . Rich full palate with a long well balanced finish. [read on...]
A B V: 14% Vintage: 2009 Color: white Country: South Africa Code: 74389
Santa Digna Chardonnay 2002
Produced from vines grown in the Rio Claro area of Curico, which enjoys a cooler climate than the central valley. It displays a brilliant yellow colour with green hues, has a strong varietal aroma - mango and apricot - enhanced by vanilla and coconut flavours contributed by the American oak casks in which the wine was matured. The style is typical of good Burgundy. [read on...]
A B V: 13.5% Vintage: 2002 Color: Country: Chile Code: 57342
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