Sarah on March 5, 2014 0 Comments Chardonnay is a diverse, universally loved wine cultivated throughout the world. It has long been a part of the French wine making tradition. The Americans turned the world’s perception of wine made from this green-skinned, neutral flavored grape on it heads in 1976, which is when Chardonnay made in California bested famous French Chardonnays at a blind taste test in Paris. History Chardonnay means “place of thistles” in Latin. The origin of the grape has been linked to a medieval village near the present day city of Macon, located in the Burgundy region of France. In the 14th century, Cistercian monks were one of the first groups credited with cultivating the vines for the purpose of making wine. Chardonnay has been revered for centuries. So much so that illustrious 19th century French novelist, Alexander Dumas, once commented that a spectacular bottle he encountered “should be only sipped while kneeling and with head bowed.” Chardonnay vines are believed to have arrived in California by the late 19th century; however, much of the California Chardonnay supply was decimated during Prohibition. By World War II, the grapes had begun to make a small comeback. 1976 was a transformative year for California Chardonnay. At a blind taste test in a Paris hotel, the 1973 Chateau Montelena, California Chardonnay beat out some of the most famous French wines. California Chardonnays won four of the six top honors. The event was dubbed the “Judgment of Paris.” Afterwards, the planting of Chardonnay vines in California increased significantly, and the region has not looked back since. Where It’s Grown France:France is the familial home of Chardonnay. It is the second most extensively cultivated white grape in the country. The vines are grown in a number of regions throughout France, most notably in Burgundy, Chablis, Champagne and Languedoc. North America: Chardonnay is grown in over 25 states in the US and is the number one selling white wine in the country. The taste of American Chardonnay can be distinctly different from French Chardonnay. California is the most prominent producer of the American Chardonnay. One of the many virtues of growing Chardonnay in California is the coastal fogs. They can delay the ripening process which allows additional time for the flavor of the grapes to intensify. Quick Guide to Chardonnay: Serving Temperature: 53–55°F Storage Temperature: 55°F Suggested Food Pairings: Chicken, Light Pasta Dishes, Fish, Goat Cheese Suggested Glass Shape: Small to medium bowl shape with a rim only slightly smaller than the bowl. – View Example Southern Hemisphere In Australia, the states of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales are most renowned for their Chardonnay production. The Hunter Region in New South Wales is particularly famous. New Zealand Chardonnay vines are grown in several locations throughout New Zealand including Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Canterbury and Marlborough. Chardonnay is also grown in South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Other Locations:Chardonnay is one of the most widely cultivated varieties of grapes. It is grown in a number of other European and eastern European countries including Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria and Slovakia. It can also be found in Israel and Lebanon. How It’s Grown Chardonnay vines are considered easy to grow and readily adapt to many types of conditions. They can be cultivated in almost any soil, but the most favorable are limestone, chalk and clay. Chardonnay is one of the first vines to bud in the spring. In order to prevent damage from an early frost, it is typically pruned right before the buds open. This postpones the opening of the buds for another several weeks. By then, the danger of frost has usually past. The full grown leaves are very dense which can shade the grapes and adversely affect their ability to mature properly. As a result, the vines are vigorously pruned during the growing season. The grapes grow tightly together in medium sized bunches. When mature they are a luminous yellow color but are fragile and thin skinned. The grapes must be carefully harvested or they will be destroyed. How It’s Made There are several decisions made by vintners during the wine making process that can substantially impact the taste of the Chardonnay. One is the amount of oak involved in the process. Oak chips can be used during fermentation, or the wine can be aged in oak barrels. Another significant choice is whether or not to use malolactic fermentation (MLF). MLF involves the conversion of a bitterer tasting malic acid to a milder tasting lactic acid. Chardonnays produced using MLF tend to have a buttery flavor while those produced without are more influenced by green apple flavors. How It Tastes The taste of Chardonnay varies depending on whether or not it was oaked as well as the level of ripeness when harvested. Less ripe, unoaked Chardonnay will taste crisp and acidic with varying citrus flavors such as apple, orange, pear, or lemon. Riper Chardonnay will have less acidity with different smoother citrus flavors such as peach, guava, mango, and banana. Oak aging will add notes of butter, vanilla, and baked pastries. Food Pairings Chardonnay’s best friends are creamy sauces, seafood, including fish and lobster, and white meat such as turkey and chicken. Mild cheeses like goat cheese or Provolone also pair well with the wine, as do pasta and risotto with spring vegetables. From its beginning in medieval France, to the famed wineries of Napa Valley, Chardonnay has developed into a wine with very broad appeal. Because of its range from medium to full-bodied depending on oak involvement, Chardonnay is a versatile wine perfect for many food pairings as well as many picky palates. There’s a reason the wine has become America’s favorite white wine. The next time you have chicken pasta, order a Chardonnay and join the movement. Recommended Reading: How to Store Your Wine: 5 Dos vs. 5 Don’ts Wine Aerators: A Guide to Opening Up Your Wine How Oxygen Improves the Nose and Flavor of your Wine 4 Dirty Secrets About Regional Wines
