The chardonnay grape is a grape that occurs throughout the world, France , California, Uruguay, Australia, South Africa, Chile and Austria. The grape has a remarkable adaptability as climate and soil are concerned.
It is a white grape, suitable for winemaking and maturation in wood. It is also a precocious grape that is resistant to heat but also cold can. This grape is often used for sparkling wines like champagne. It gives solid, full wine with character and a delicate bouquet. The grape can produce very different wines, from Chablis to a Saint-Veran from the south of the Burgundy region. It is related to the other the burgundy and champagne grapes pinot blanc, which are very similar. Chardonnay has a different taste. It is also known as Weisser klevner mentioned (in Alsace), Pinot Blanc Chardonnay, Beaunois and auvernat blanc.
Compared with Sauvignon Blanc flavor and aroma are not particularly powerful. In colder climates, it has a green apple flavor, milder temperature zones in a melon flavor and warm temperature zones in the wine tastes of exotic fruits such as pineapple and mango. Chardonnay ripens fairly early and can fetch a high alcohol content, making it deceptively sweet. A good chardonnay vinified will have a long finish. The chardonnay grape is ideal for making wines that are aged in oak barrels. Wine with this ‘timber Education’ gets its vanilla flavor.
Usually, a good half chardonnay wine fermentation had called malolactic fermentation. This is name it get because it refers to smelling green apples, venomous malic acid is converted into the milder lactic acid.
Burgundy and Chardonnay grapes
The most famous, most hidden prized chardonnay wines come from this region of France. Not every white Burgundy from the Chardonnay grape makes great wine, but here is the cradle of the great wines of the Chardonnay. Known names are: Chablis, Corton-Charlemagne, Le Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet and white wines from Meursault and Santenay.
Champagne of the chardonnay grape
In the Champagne region, this grape is planted. The chardonnay grape has a preference for calcareous soils, so it is mostly planted in the area Côte de Blancs. Also in Aisne, Aube and Côte Sézanne. Also it can be found on the Montagne de Reims Chardonnay, but more in the area around Trépail and Sillery. When there is only Chardonnay used in the production of champagne it is called a “blanc de blancs”. A “Blanc de Blancs” is a light yellow color wine with a green appearance. Champagne chardonnay is a based aperitif or a perfect companion for light fish dishes.
We’d like to thank Mr Mark Paton on this contribution to our web page.