A wonderful wine that’s enjoyed around the globe, Chardonnay is perfectly sippable no matter what the occasion!
Find out more about this wine, where it came from, and what to pair it with.
What is Chardonnay?
Chardonnay is medium to full-bodied, can be dry or sweet, and is a wine made all over the world.
Is Chardonnay Wine For Me?
Wine is a personal choice, much like art. Chardonnay wine has gained popularity the world over for being a pleasing varietal for even the most discerning palate, but also knows how to relax and have a good time.
Chardonnay is a versatile wine that is available in a range of prices. Its character can be crisp and clean, or another bottle might be rich with a hint of oak. Knowing whether you prefer light or full-bodied, more or less alcohol, a crisp or a buttery taste, are all considerations when thinking about a Chardonnay. Try oaked and try unoaked. You are bound to find one you like.
What Is Chardonnay Wine?
Chardonnay is a white wine grape variety grown all over the world. The grape has green skin and quite a neutral flavour. This leaves the winemaking process to add detail to the canvas through wine making techniques, terroir and oak. Chardonnay grapes are rarely blended with other white wine grapes to make a wine, except in the case of sparkling wines and champagne. These are often a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Where Is Chardonnay Wine From?
Chardonnay is made all over the world. The difference between the wines are region specific where climate plays a role but also winemaking traditions. This means we get cool climate and warm climate Chardonnays.
Cooler climate Chardonnay is usually more acidic with citrus flavours and is lighter-bodied and lighter in alcohol. This type of Chardonnay would be produced in countries like France, Germany, Austria, Canada, New Zealand and Chile.
A warm climate Chardonnay has less acidity with ripe fruit flavours like peach and pineapple. They are full-bodied with higher alcohol. These would be found in most of Spain and California, Southern Italy, South Australia and South Africa.
How Is Chardonnay Wine Made?
Chardonnay is usually made in what is called a dry style. After the grapes are pressed, the sugar from the grape is converted into alcohol by yeast. When all of the sugar is converted, it creates a fully dry wine and sometimes residual sugar is left behind. This is why, although a dry white wine by nature, a Chardonnay can still have sweetness.
What Does Chardonnay Wine Taste Like?
Chardonnay allows a winemaker to be creative. They could produce a bottle of chardonnay that is light and elegant, or full-bodied and buttery. Chardonnay can taste different, depending on where it grows and how it’s made. Normally, chardonnay is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine with moderate acidity and alcohol. Flavours can include apple and lemon and the wine also shows notes of vanilla when it’s aged with oak.
Is Chardonnay A Dry Or Sweet Wine?
The Chardonnay grape is a cross between the Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc varietal. Chardonnay is usually produced as a dry white wine, but it can also have sweetness, again dependent on techniques in the wine making process.
How Do I Drink Chardonnay Wine?
Most Chardonnay doesn’t need or improve with aging. Be sure to keep it in a temperature-controlled environment away from vibration and light. Store at about 50 degrees, and serve chilled at between 43 and 47 degrees.
What Food Do I Pair With Chardonnay Wine?
Unoaked Chardonnay is perfect for a summer barbecue and goes really nicely with grilled poultry or fish. Other foods that go well with Chardonnay include cream soups, pasta with white sauce, shellfish, and risotto.
Is Chardonnay An Expensive Wine?
The world’s most expensive white wines include Chardonnay and Riesling. However, Chardonnay is a type of wine available at many price points which varies greatly. Its region and age of the wine will be the biggest contributing factors but whatever your budget, it is possible to enjoy a bottle (or two).
Is Chardonnay A Good Wine?
The Chardonnay grape is what makes it popular. It’s a vine that adapts well to a variety of climates, and generally gives a high yield all over the world.
What’s A Good Brand Of Chardonnay?
These are some of the top rated Chardonnay brands, selected from a variety of regions the world over:
- Aldi Lot Series XI Chardonnay (Australia)
- The Best Gran Montana Uco Valley Chardonnay (Argentina)
- Journey’s End Honeycomb Chardonnay 2017 (South Africa)
- Chapel Down Chardonnay (England)
- Errazuriz Estate Series Chardonnay 2017 (Chile)
How Long Does An Unopened Bottle Of Chardonnay Last?
Chardonnay, like many wines, gets better with age. You still need to time it right because eventually, the wine will spoil no matter how well you have preserved it. Most Chardonnays will only improve for up to the first five years of ageing so an ‘old’ Chardonnay is not something you would want to drink.
Most Chardonnays are aged for up to 2 years before they are released from the shelves so this is another factor to consider when planning how long to age your bottle. Maybe you’ve got a special occasion in mind that your favourite bottle is worth keeping for?
How Do You Know If Chardonnay Is Bad?
Usually, the wine looks “off”. Chardonnay that has been treated with oak might be slightly darker in colour than other white wines. If you notice the Chardonnay has a deep golden colour, or any browning, the wine might be old or oxidized.
Why Is Chardonnay So Popular?
Chardonnay is the world’s most popular grape for creating white wine, champagne, sparkling wines and dessert wines. It is the 5th most widely planted grape varietal in the world.
Chardonnay is an easy choice for wine and food pairings, perfect for going out and staying in. This wine comes in a wide variety of styles, mouth feel, textures, levels of sweetness, oak and acidity, meaning it pairs well with many things.
That’s worth pouring a glass and toasting to!