Updated on November 9th, 2022
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned wine drinker, Chardonnay will pique your interest. “What does Chardonnay taste like?” you’ve undoubtedly wondered. You’re undoubtedly curious about the wine now that you’ve experienced it. You’re not the only one who feels this way! A lot of individuals have trouble identifying the flavor of Chardonnay wine. If you are willing to test a bottle, you can readily tell if it is good quality.
The first step is to figure out which Chardonnay you want to drink. It’s important to think about the variety. Most of the wines made from this grape are white, and it’s advisable to stick to a single varietal. Butter, lemon, and tropical fruits are just a few of the tastes available. On the other hand, Chardonnay possesses smells that are similar to wood and malolactic fermentation. In addition, seashell and chalk notes can be found in Burgundian Chardonnay. Chardonnay’s flavor is determined by the grape used. Chardonnay is best served with food because it is medium-bodied and dry. It will contain undertones of vanilla after being matured in oak barrels.
What is Chardonnay?
Chardonnay is the most popular white wine globally, and with good reason. It’s manufactured from green-skinned grapes that can adapt to various climates and produce flexible and affordable wines. Chardonnay can be light and refreshing or full-bodied and oaky. Chardonnay appeals to a wide range of palates, so it is so popular.
The most well-known white grape in the world is Chardonnay. Although it is a very neutral grape, the public’s perception is anything but! Chardonnay enthusiasts and Chardonnay haters are two distinct groups of individuals. I can’t think of any crop that has spawned an entire movement known as ABC or Anything But Chardonnay. It’s not the grape’s fault at all. So, what is it about Chardonnay that elicits such intense feelings? Well, that is debatable. Because the Chardonnay grape is so flexible, it accepts whatever treatment it receives in the winery.
What does Chardonnay Taste Like?
What is the flavor of Chardonnay? To be honest, there isn’t a single answer to that question. Chardonnay is a medium-bodied, dry wine that is often described as such. On the other hand, Chardonnay has such a diverse spectrum of flavors, textures, and aromatic qualities that the answer to that question varies greatly.
Because it can grow in various climates and is simple to work with in the cellar, Chardonnay is renowned as a winemaker’s grape. It gives the winemaker the option of making it light and delicate or full-bodied and buttery. Chardonnay has a wide range of flavors based on where it is grown and how it is prepared. On the other hand, Chardonnay is often a dry, medium- to full-bodied wine with mild acidity and alcohol. It has a wide spectrum of flavors, from apple and lemon to papaya and pineapple, and when aged with oak, it also has vanilla overtones.
What Flavours does Chardonnay have?
Primary: Lemon zest and gritty minerality give way to baked apples and tropical fruits like pineapple in Chardonnay. The great variation of flavors is due to two factors: environment and harvest date. Citrus notes become more obvious in the grapes as the environment cools. The same is true for grapes harvested earlier. Grapes generate more sugar and lose acidity in warmer climates and later harvests. Its flavors mature into riper, more complex fruits. These are the main flavors since they come straight from the grape.
Secondary: During the winemaking process, Chardonnay develops secondary tastes or aromas. Coconut, vanilla, and baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make up the initial flavors. They are a result of the use of oak. The origin of the wood (French vs. American), the shape of the wood (barrels, chips, or staves), toast level, and length of time in contact with the oak are all factors that determine the tastes and their strength. The second flavor produced by winemaking is diacetyl, responsible for the “buttery” character mentioned by wine experts.
What is it About Chardonnay that Makes it So Popular?
The chardonnay grape contributes to the popularity of the wine. Chardonnay is a very “low-maintenance” vine made from green-skinned grapes that adapt well to various climates, resulting in reasonably high yields globally. Millions of bottles of Chardonnay are produced due to these high yields.
Chardonnay is one of three Champagne basis grapes, and it is the only grape used in Blanc de Blancs Champagne. The grape eventually made its way to California, becoming the state’s most extensively planted white variety. Chardonnay became popular in America because it creates a wine that appeals to a wide range of palates.
Is Chardonnay Dry or Sweet?
Put simply, Chardonnay is almost always made into a dry white wine instead of a sweet one, and its body can range from medium to full. Nevertheless, this does not imply that there is no sweetness worth mentioning! It is essential to keep in mind that the word “sweet” can have a variety of connotations depending on the individual.
What is the Difference between Unoaked and Oaked Chardonnay?
You’ve most likely seen winemakers or brands label their Chardonnay as oaked or unoaked. Before bottling, a winemaker who wants his Chardonnay to taste crisp and bright often ferments and stores the wine stainless steel. This helps keep the wine fresh by limiting the impact of oxygen.
When a winemaker wants to generate a fuller-bodied wine with secondary characteristics of vanilla and spice, they can ferment it in stainless steel and then age it in wood. While in barrel, oaked Chardonnay is frequently subjected to partial or complete MLF and lees contact (dead yeast). Micro-oxygenation, lees contact, and MLF generate a wine stylistically opposite of unoaked Chardonnay, with vanilla and spice notes and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.
Is Chardonnay Suitable for Novices?
When it comes to white wine, there are various styles and tastes available for beginners to investigate. You could begin by selecting an easy-to-understand or light, dry white wine that is well-known, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, or even inexpensive white wines.
What is the Difference Between Hot and Cold Climate Chardonnay?
Chardonnay is a versatile grape that is popular among winemakers and grape growers. It’s important to remember that it won’t taste the same everywhere it grows. Grapes ripen significantly faster in hot, sunny climates than in cooler climes. (You can distinguish between a ripe and an unripe peach.)
California is the most well-known example of a hot Chardonnay-growing location. The grape can ripen quickly in the warmer valleys, resulting in high sugar levels and dry wine with high alcohol content. According to Robinson, if the grapes are harvested too late, the acidity may be so low that acid must be added to the cellar to produce a balanced wine. South Africa, Australia, Spain, and Southern Italy are renowned hot climate Chardonnay locations (via Wine Enthusiast). You may expect deep golden, full-bodied Chardonnays with tropical fruit aromas in these Chardonnays.
If you want lighter, sharper wines, opt for Chardonnay varietals grown in cool climates, such as those grown in Burgundy, France. Citrus, green apple, minerals, and stone notes are described by Robinson in these types. Chablis (from the northern section of Burgundy) is the wine for you if you like high-acid, mouth-puckering wines. Champagne, manufactured in France’s coldest wine-growing region, is ideal for producing crisp, zingy flavors in the glass (via Wine Paths). Other cool-climate Chardonnays come from Germany, Northern Italy, Oregon, Tasmania, New Zealand, Chile’s coast, and California’s cooler regions (Wine Enthusiast).
What Meals Complement Chardonnay the Best?
The variety of styles available on the market is one of the reasons why people enjoy Chardonnay. Many Chablis Chardonnays are crisp, clean, unoaked Chardonnays that pair nicely with fresh cheeses like goat cheese, oysters, shellfish, and delicate fish as an apéritif. Firmer fish like swordfish, white meats like chicken and pork tenderloin, and aged cheeses like gruyere and gouda combine well with medium-bodied expressions. Heavy cream sauces, grilled meats with higher fat content, and even game birds can be handled by thick, rich, oaky styles with higher alcohol levels. The idea is to balance the wine’s weight with the food’s weight.
What is the Best Way to Serve Chardonnay?
Chardonnay, like all white wines, should be served cold. If the wine is served too warm, the alcohol will be overpowering, and the flavors will be jumbled. The fragrances and flavors are reduced because it is too cold. The optimal temperature range is 50–55°F, which can be attained by chilling for two hours or immersing in cold water for 30–40 minutes. Replace the cork and put the bottle back in the fridge if you don’t complete a bottle of Chardonnay. The tastes will last 2–4 days in the refrigerator. The wine will begin to oxidize after that. It’s better to use it for cooking at that moment.
Conclusion
Chardonnays are typically medium-bodied and dry. A buttery flavor can be found in some chardonnays. This is due to the malolactic fermentation process, which aids in producing a wine with a complex flavor. While Chardonnay is typically dry, it does contain some sugar. Remember that it’s almost always a milky beverage if you’re drinking chardonnay. You can’t go wrong with this Chardonnay if you seek the most basic Chardonnay flavor. You’ll appreciate the wine’s fruity, buttery, rapier-like acidity if you’re a wine enthusiast. The flavor will vary according to your preferences, but it’s worth a go even if you don’t like it.
Chardonnay is easy to pair with meals because of its neutral flavor. It has a strong acidity and a long shelf life, which is ideal for sparkling wines, and it also holds up well over time. If you enjoy Chardonnay, you’ll be pleased to learn that it is a versatile grape, and its adaptability is one of the reasons it is such a popular option among wine drinkers.
