CHARDONNAY WINE
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| Look at this. Pure Bliss, ahh. |
Some people turn their noses up at a glass of Chardonnay wine, subscribing to the A.B.C. of wine tasting-Anything But Chardonnay. I know, I know, you are thinking, Chardonnay, that's a middle-age woman's wine. Well, so be it, and thank you for the middle-age reference! But, let me say, if you have enjoyed a glass of Champagne in special occasions, you most likely have had Chardonnay. You see, Chardonnay (in addition to Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) is one of three varieties used in the making of Champagne.
At any given Friday Fish Fry, I often order a glass of Chardonnay wine instead of the 'Old Fashion." After all Chardonnay goes perfectly with fish, as well as poultry, cheese, and even chocolate. However, I do pay attention to the label/brand of wine that the restaurant is offering. I tend to steer away from mass- produced(well-known) labels. However, with that being said, I am willing to try something new-new to me.
I think many naysayers remember the Chardonnays of the 80's, 90's, and even early 2000's. Due to the versatility of the Chardonnay grape and how easy to grow, it was overproduced. Chardonnay grapes were everywhere, Another issue was winemakers fermented the wine in oak barrels for extended periods of time. The Chardonnay grape is like a blank canvas, and so the wine tasted like oak and smelled like it too. The trend was to produce a buttery flavor Chardonnay, known as the "Butter Bomb."
Today, the trend is to ferment the Chardonnay juice in steel tanks, giving the wine a more light, crisp flavor. The winemaker can add oak chips as they deem necessary. Often, winemakers will offer an option of an unoaked Chardonnay and an oaked Chardonnay. My taste is somewhere in between buttery and light and crisp; I usually choose the oaked version.
WHERE DOES THE CHARDONNAY GRAPE COME FROM AND WHERE DOES IT GROW TODAY?
The Chardonnay grape came from Eastern part of France-Burgundy to be specific. However, as mentioned, because of its adaptability, the grape can grow almost anywhere; which compared to the Pinot Noir grape(another favorite), is a fickled grape and is limited to its growing region.
Currently, the Chardonnay grapes grows in every wine producing region in the world. In addition to Burgundy, France, there is California, the state of Washington, Australia, even England, New Zealand, South Africa, New York, and finally Lombardy, Italy.
WHAT KIND OF WINE DOES THE CHARDONNAY GRAPE MAKE?
Unlike other white grapes with distinct, recognizable flavors such as Reisling and Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay is more influenced by its vineyard location and the fermentation in the winery. Climate plays a major role in dictating which fruit flavors a Chardonnay will have. Generally, warmer climates such as California, Chile, and much of Australia tend to give more tropical note or fruity flavor such as peach and papaya, low acidity, and high alcohol content. I should mention these Chardonnay grapes are gown inland. Cooler temperature zones such as the Sonoma Coast in California, Oregon, and Washington state produce a sweet citrusy taste, with higher acidity and lower alcohol content. Chardonnay grapes in cooler zones are usually grown along the coastline.
I hope this brief overview of Chardonnay has whet your taste-buds, like it did mine. My next blog, which will come out soon, will talk about all the tastings of the different Chardonnays the Hubster and I tried during this scary time.
After all, like Suzanne Shaw once said, "You can't beat a nice glass of Chardonnay after a really long, hard day."
Until next time,
Minnie and the Hubster.
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