Chardonnay
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- For the town in France, see Chardonnay, Saône-et-Loire.
Chardonnay, also known by the names Aubaine, Beaunois, Melon Blanc, and historically, Pinot 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 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 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 focuses on minerality and purity. Other regions of Burgundy produce more full-bodied styles that have oak and cheese-like aromas.
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[edit] Popularity
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. The trend has been for many regions in Australia and New Zealand to produce unblended Chardonnay wines rich in flavours of citrus and melon and temperate fruits, with or without the added complexity of oak. The trend has been away from the buttery flavoured Chardonnay wines which result from diacetyl produced by the use of malolactic fermenting bacteria. When blended in Australia and New Zealand the most common blending partner is Sémillon, and it often also partnered with Pinot Noir in sparkling wines.
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 to soften the acidity and some oak handling. Without oak, Chardonnay generally produces a soft wine, often with fruity flavors. When aged with oak, Chardonnay can acquire a smokey, vanilla, caramel, and butter aroma. The origin of the oak - either French or American - will affect the final flavor, along with the degree to which any oak barrels were toasted. For budget wines, the oak is added as staves or even chips to stainless steel containers, which is cheaper than oak barrels.
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."[1] This popularity led to a character in the British TV series Footballers' Wives being named Chardonnay.
In Canada's Niagara Peninsula Chardonnay is a popular white grape varietal. In this unique meso-climate the wines develop full sugar ripeness while naturally preserving the acidity. Crisp rich offerings come in un-oaked and barrel aged or fermented styles with some leading producers making Chardonnay and Pinot noir based traditional method sparkling wines. Key sub-appellations are the Short Hills Bench, 20 Mile Bench and Beamsville Bench.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Chardonnay Du Monde - website of an international Chardonnay competition.
- Chardonnay Grape - Chardonnay Grape Information Page.
[edit] References
- ^ Oz Clarke The Encyclopedia of Grapes Websters International Publishers 2001, pg 191
| Wine styles: | Red/White • Rosé/Blush • Sparkling • Dessert • Fortified • Fruit • Ice Wine | |
| Notable varietals: |
White Albariño • Chardonnay • Chenin blanc • Gewürztraminer • Muscat • Pinot blanc • Pinot gris • Riesling • Sauvignon blanc • Sémillon • Viognier |
Red Cabernet Franc • Cabernet Sauvignon • Carmenère • Durif • Gamay • Grenache • Malbec • Merlot • Petit Verdot • Pinotage • Pinot noir • Sangiovese • Syrah/Shiraz • Tempranillo • Zinfandel |
| Notable regions: |
Amarone • Asti • Barolo • Barossa • Beaujolais • Bordeaux • Burgundy • Chablis • Champagne • Chianti • Commandaria • Dão • Egri Bikavér • Kakheti • Madeira • Marsala • Port • Retsina • Rhône • Rioja • Sancerre • Sauternes • Sherry • Tokaji • Valpolicella • Vermouth • Vinho Verde • Vouvray • Wachau | |
| See also: | Glossary of wine terms • List of grape varieties • List of wine-producing regions • List of wine producing countries | |
