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 categorySaint Veran Trenel 2008
Pale gold in colour, this Saint Veran offers up an intense and complex combination of blossom and white fruits (lime flower and peach). Generous palate, rounded and balanced with a long, acidulous and mineral finish, endowing this wine with agreeable characteristic freshness. [read on...]
A B V: 13% Vintage: 2008 Color: white Country: France Code: 73537
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
Solora Chardonnay 2005 Oaked
Fresh and lively grapefruit and pineapple aromas dominate the nose with hints of peach and melon. These tropical fruits follow through to the palate giving the wine a delightful lingering fruit flavour and refreshing finish. [read on...]
A B V: 14% Vintage: 2008 Color: white Country: Australia Region: Western Australia Code: 73623
Springfield Methode Ancienne Chardonnay 1999
'Made in the ancient style of Burgundy',barrel fermented with natural 'wild' yeast and only released when Abrie Bruwer is satisfied with the quality. Complex and deliciously serious. Sweet toned white peach and honeysuckle fragrances with a vanilla background and limey lees further extending the mouthfilling richness which is brilliantly balanced by vibrant dry acidity. [read on...]
A B V: 13% Vintage: 1999 Color: white Country: South Africa Code: 53146
The Islander Chardonnay 2008
[read on...]
A B V: 14.5% Vintage: 2006 Color: white Country: Australia Region: South Australia Code: 73085
The Old Mans Sparkling NV
Made by the traditional Champagne methods of bottle fermentation, it is produced from an interesting grape blend of 59% Merlot, 29% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Noir. After disgorging and dosage the wine is matured in bottle for a further two years. This time honoured process produces a classic yeasty biscuit flavour. [read on...]
A B V: 12,5% Vintage: non-vintag Color: white Country: South Africa Code: 74919
Tierra de Luna Chardonnay 2008
[read on...]
A B V: 12.5% Vintage: 2008 Color: white Country: Argentina Code: 72980
Tyrrell Chardonnay 2007
Pale straw gold in colour, exhibiting all the varietal characteristics you expect from a Tyrell's Chardonnay. Peaches and stone fruits abound on the nose and palate while the subtle use of oak combines well for a refreshing but full mouth feel. [read on...]
A B V: 13.5% Vintage: 2007 Color: white Country: Australia Region: New South Wales Code: 72711
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