The Essential Guide To Chardonnay
Posted on August 06 2021
Chardonnay is a white wine grape with green skin and a relatively steady flavor that produces wines in various price ranges. It can be crisp or full-bodied, and winemakers can extract so many flavors and varieties to select from.
Some of you may be familiar with this, especially if you are a wine lover. However, if you are new to this and do not know what it tastes like, it would be beneficial for you to be mindful of this unique grape that provides delicious flavors and smells. In this area, you will learn more about this famous wine.
What Does It Taste Like?
The taste of a Chardonnay differs based on how it is made and where it grows. On the other hand, it is often dry, moderate to strong, with mild acidity and alcohol. Also, it has a wide spectrum of flavors—from apple and lemon to papaya and pineapple. When aged with oak, it also has vanilla overtones.
What Are The Flavors Of This Wine?
One of the factors Chardonnay is known and admired for is the wide range of tastes and aromas that the grape produces in its wines. Moreover, the flavors are categorized into primary and secondary, as shown below.
Primary
If the tastes come straight from the grape, it's the primary flavor that emerges as the fruit ripens and becomes more affluent. Lemon freshness and powdery mineral taste mix with baked and equatorial fruits like pineapple. Moreover, the factor that led to this vast spectrum of flavors is the temperature. The cooler the temperature, the more citrus notes emerge, and the warmer the temperature, the more sugar grapes produce.
Secondary
The wine-making technique yields secondary flavors. Vanilla, coconut, and other baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make up the initial set of tastes. The motive of the wood, and the duration of time in touch with the oak, all influence the preferences and richness. Furthermore, the second flavor is diacetyl, which has a buttery flavor like green apples.
Why Is It Popular?
This white wine grape hails from the region of France and has a long and illustrious history. The grape eventually finds its way to California, where it has become the state's most famous white variety, and Americans are captivated with it as well. Additionally, Chardonnay is among the three Champagne component grapes and is the only grape used in Blanc de Blancs Champagne.
How To Serve It
This white wine grape is perfect for serving cold to avoid overpowering or jumbling the flavors. The cold temperature reduces the fragrances and tastes of wine. Chill it for two hours to attain an optimal temperature of 50–55°F. Reinstall the cork and replace it in the bottle if you do not complete a bottle of a white grape.
Conclusion
Are you now tempted to taste a white grape and make your own? Upon jotting down the tastes, fragrances, aroma, and delicious flavors made by this white wine grape, there is no doubt why it became most popular worldwide.
Moreover, Chardonnay has the same flavonoids and antioxidants, linked to everything from cancer prevention to the treatment of heart failure. As a result, it gives us a delicious taste, a longer life, and a healthier heart.
Give it a try and see which white wine you enjoy best with a price that matches your budget. If you’re uncertain of which wine you should have, go to your local shop and ask for advice.