Wine "Chardonnay" (Chardonnay). Chardonnay grapes and wine

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Wine "Chardonnay" is considered a classic among dry wines. Its flavor profile is very interesting. You can feel the tones of pineapple and bread crust in it, the drink gives off a light citrus range.

Delicate, exquisite taste

Expert tasters also call Chardonnay the wine of the three seasons. Indeed, if you try it as winemakers advise, then at first you can feel the aroma of winter freshness, as if the drink had just been brought in from the cold. Then an exquisite range of spring winds, nectar-drenched flowers and herbs are added. And after the first sip, the taste of the first summer berries and fruits appears. Sufficiently dense and voluminous, Chardonnay wine is at the same time very light and retains a long pleasant aftertaste.

Which berries are used to make wine?

Chardonnay (wine) is considered the most sought after dry white variety. It is made from white Chardonnay grapes, which were native to Burgundy (France).

If you describe the ampelographic features of this grape variety, then it is worthnote that the bunch usually grows to medium size. The berries are quite dense and large, beautiful conical shape, yellowish-green color. As a rule, these grapes ripen in the middle of the season and serve as the basis for the production of the most expensive wines. Chardonnay grapes are also used to produce champagne.

In order for the berries to ripen well and get the maximum amount of minerals and nutrients from the soil, they are planted in a fairly warm climate, where there are deep soils. Since this grape variety is very fond of moisture, the land should hold water well and contain a large amount of limestone.

The beginning of the story

Initially, this grape variety began to be grown in Burgundy, namely in Chablis and Côte d'Or. The famous white Burgundy French wines that are so popular among gourmets, namely Chablis, Meursault, Montrachet and some others, are 100% made from Chardonnay. In the north of Burgundy, excellent mineral wines are made. There, the soil consists of limestone, shellfish and clay. This combination gives the wine a slightly s alty taste.

This grape variety became so popular that it was later planted in other parts of the world, with great success. In the 60-70s of the last century, this exquisite grape began to be actively cultivated on Australian and Californian lands. And it was this fact that served in the further mass distribution of this white wine around the world. Today Chardonnay wine is knownalmost anywhere in the earth step.

After a successful experiment by Australians and California winemakers, this grape variety began to be planted more actively in the USA, South America, Chardonnay plantations in Italy and Spain expanded significantly, it was adopted by the Balkan countries, and even very cold England and hot India.

The opponents failed to stop the spread

There is a strong opinion among winegrowers that the best wines are made only from autochthonous varieties. That is, those that grow in the area since ancient times. But the Chardonnay variety refuted this postulate - the wonderful grape took root perfectly in different countries and gained unheard of popularity.

It even got to the point that there was an active group of enthusiasts who opposed the "Shardmania". They organized "ABC - Anything But Chardonnay". In translation, it sounds like this: "anything but Chardonnay." Activists of this movement called for a boycott of wines made from this grape variety. But they did not achieve success - Chardonnay wine continued to gain popularity at a rapid pace.

Currently, it is difficult to even name a wine region where this amazing grape variety does not grow.

Nevertheless, Chardonnay white wine considers France to be its homeland and is the hallmark of this country. They say that "Chardonnay" is the best option for young people who are just starting to explore the world of wine. Itquite simple and has excellent taste. By the way, according to its aromatic properties, this wine is neutral. It performs well in the application of various winemaking techniques. There are two main approaches to white wine production: New World and Burgundy. With the first method, the drink is obtained with a tropical taste, fruit aromas are well manifested. The Burgundy method gives Chardonnay a certain butteriness and creaminess.

That's why it's hard to define the classic flavor of Chardonnay. It all depends on the conditions and in what area it was produced. Flavors of white and tropical fruits, tones of nuts, honey, citrus flavors can be interspersed in the aroma. Some tasters can smell the taste of butter, pastries and even popcorn in this wine.

If the wine is aged in oak barrels, cream and vanilla shades may appear in it.

How to serve this drink?

To get full enjoyment and understand why French wines are so attractive, you need to use this drink correctly. First you need to choose the right dishes. It is recommended to drink white dry wines from wide glasses with a high stem. Moreover, the glass should be completely transparent, and the glass itself should not have any extra decorations.

According to the rules of etiquette, white wine is poured into a glass no more than three-quarters. Less is also not recommended. Wine is recommended to be cooled to a temperature of 6-8 degrees. And half an hour before serving, the bottle must be opened to wake up the aroma. Then winebreathe a little, be saturated with oxygen and his whole bouquet will simply bloom.

Pair with what?

Wine "Chardonnay", reviews of which often have superlatives, is best consumed with seafood. Oysters, lobsters, lobsters, mussels, shrimps are perfect for it. Also, experts advise serving dry white with fish - both cold, for example, aspic, and hot, baked in the oven or grilled.

This wine goes well with almost all cheeses, especially spicy ones. Remember that the aroma of this drink is delicate and refined. Therefore, you should not smoke when you drink Chardonnay, because you will drown out the flavor range. Ladies who want to feel the whole bouquet of this wine are not advised to use perfume abundantly. In general, any foreign smells will be superfluous for tasting.