Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted grapes across all the wine regions of the world, and it's made in a number of different styles. It's almost a blank canvas on which either the place where it grew, or the wine-maker (or both) will stamp their individual character. That's why I get a little frustrated by the ABC brigade. Anything but Chardonnay? Really? You have no idea what fantastic wines you're ruling out, probably based on some £3.99 over-oaked and mass produced Australian version you last drank sometime back in 1993.
Some Chardonnay facts:
With this range of possibilities and excellent examples available from France, California, Australia and New Zealand and South Africa, isn't it time you gave Chardonnay another try? It's a truly international variety and you'll find it in almost every wine producing country due to it's versatility.
And if you're already a fan, you'll find the best expressions at home in Burgundy, in New Zealand's Marlborough and Gisborne, in Australia's Adelaide Hills and California's Napa Valley and Sonoma - particularly around Carneros and Russian River. Try spending £2-4 more on your next bottle and see what else you get for your money.
Still bored with Chardonnay?
If it's really time for you to give up on Chardonnay, then there are plenty of other neutral grapes out there expressing a variety of flavours. But if you want good acidity, and a white that can give a variety of fruits and even take on oak, or be made into fizz, then you could try Chenin Blanc. Other suggestions for the oak averse: Albarino from Spain or Riesling from pretty much anywhere.
Some Chardonnay facts:
- It takes it's name from a village in Burgundy. So Burgundy isn't just red wine.
- Some of the worlds most outstanding (and expensive) white wines are still made in Burgundy today from 100% Chardonnay: Chablis, Puligny-Montrachet & Pouilly-Fuisse are among the best known. If you like oak, try Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet and Macon. If you prefer your fruit pure, you may be better with a Chablis, or less expensive Petit Chablis.
- If you're ruling out Chardonnay, you're pretty much ruling out most Champagne. Along with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (black grapes), Chardonnay is the only white grape permitted for Champagne production. Do you still think you don't like Chardonnay?
- Climate has a big effect on the flavours in your Chardonnay, and it's pretty adaptable to all climates meaning lots of different flavours are possible. From the apple, pear, greengage flavoured, steely, high acidity wines of Chablis, to more citrus, melon and peach flavours in a moderate climate. Take Chardonnay to where the heat is and you'll find flavours becoming thoroughly exotic with fig, mango and even banana a possibility. In these hot climates the acidity of the grape drops and the body increases so it will give a very different drinking experience. Try to find some from Margaret River in Australia, or even Mendoza in Argentina.
- The fruit flavours in Chardonnay aren't particularly dominant. So wine making techniques such as malo-lactic fermentation and use of oak can completely change the flavour. You might find butter or cream flavours, or perhaps toast or nutty notes - maybe even vanilla. I love these oaky flavours which make Chardonnay taste like a dairy product, but that may not be your cup of tea (or glass of wine). Many wines now will make it clear if they have oak influences. If "Barrel Fermented" gets a mention on the label, that wine is likely to have some oak influence.
With this range of possibilities and excellent examples available from France, California, Australia and New Zealand and South Africa, isn't it time you gave Chardonnay another try? It's a truly international variety and you'll find it in almost every wine producing country due to it's versatility.
And if you're already a fan, you'll find the best expressions at home in Burgundy, in New Zealand's Marlborough and Gisborne, in Australia's Adelaide Hills and California's Napa Valley and Sonoma - particularly around Carneros and Russian River. Try spending £2-4 more on your next bottle and see what else you get for your money.
Still bored with Chardonnay?
If it's really time for you to give up on Chardonnay, then there are plenty of other neutral grapes out there expressing a variety of flavours. But if you want good acidity, and a white that can give a variety of fruits and even take on oak, or be made into fizz, then you could try Chenin Blanc. Other suggestions for the oak averse: Albarino from Spain or Riesling from pretty much anywhere.
