Photo by Corina Rainer on Unsplash
Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted varieties. Although it is probably best known as the white grape of Burgundy and a major grape of Champagne. Chardonnay is a versatile grape, and its style can vary widely depending on where it’s grown and how it’s made.
Basically, Chardonnay produces wines of a light golden hue, with notes of citrus, green apple, with floral aromas. On the palate, Chardonnay has moderate acidity and moderate alcohol with a medium body. But beyond that, it’s said that Chardonnay is a bit of a chameleon — it reflects its winemaking process more than almost any other grape.
So, let’s start by exploring the first style of Chardonnay: Crisp and Bright.
This style is based on Chardonnay’s natural high acidity with flavors of green apple, lemon, lime and pineapple. It is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks so as to leave these flavors unaltered. They are minimally aged and consumed young so as to feature the bright acidity, crisp citrus and tropical fruit flavors as well as its minerality.
This style of Chardonnay can most notably come from France (Chablis), New Zealand, Oregon and California. It’s probably the style to start with if you are unsure about Chardonnay. It’s going to be light, refreshing and mouthwatering. And, if you are already a fan of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, you’ll likely also enjoy a bright and crisp, un-oaked Chardonnay.
Next time we’ll take a look at the Soft and Buttery style of Chardonnay. Cheers!