The most popular white variety in the world, is without a doubt the Chardonnay. This grape originates from the area that made it famous, and has the most complex Chardonnays in the world, Burgundy. In fact, there is a small town called Chardonnay near Mâcon. The reason of its popularity is that the grape can grow on multiple soils, can withstand different climates, and can adapt different styles. Through all that, the Chardonnay will always keep its core identity. Even though the grape has a rather high acidity, the typical creamy texture ensures that the acidic levels do not overpower.
Looking at Burgundy, the best Chardonnays come from the villages of Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny- Montrachet, Meursault, and Santenay. Here elegant minerality will intertwine with fruit characters and a touch of oak. Elegance is key!
Chablis is known for a very different style of Chardonnay. Due to the limestone soil, that the grape expresses very well, the Chardonnay will become more crisp and lean. Making it the perfect match with anything seafood, especially oysters. In Chablis, Chardonnay is named Beaunois, while the rest of the world will name it Chablis. When coming from Chablis of course.
The grape is planted in almost every region in France and is an essential part of the Champagne blend, where it is one of the only white grape varieties allowed. Usually we see ‘Blanc de Blancs’ (white wine from white grapes), only consisting of Chardonnay.
From France the grape has spread throughout Europe, adapting to warmer and cooler climates. In Austria the grape is called Morillon and reaches crispy results. Italy will name Chardonnay just Chardonnay and has the grape planted in every part of the country, from the cool north down to the hot Sicily.
Remarkable wines from Chardonnay are found in California, where the climate and the long aging on oak lets the wine develop into a buttery, vanilla like, topped with exotic fruit complexity! This ripe style of wine opens new possibilities in terms of food-wine matching.
Whenever you are looking for a rich style, but still with some French elegance, Western Australia produces Chardonnay in perfect balance!
Aromas
Fruit aromas will often be referred as fuller in flavour, like yellow apple or white pear. This is mostly for Chardonnay coming from cooler areas. When the temperature rises, so will the aromas of pineapple, peach, or melon. Notes of citrus like lemon or lime will remain in every area, as will the creamy texture.
Aging on oak will give us notes of vanilla, butter, or even caramel.
Wine type
Full-bodied white wine
Colour
Deep gold
Food matching
Due to the range of styles a Chardonnay can have, so will a range of dishes match well with it. You can never go wrong with some grilled salmon, or anything else that is rich fish. Sol Meunière will also be a classic match, due to buttery flavour the fish gets from being fried in creamy butter. Looking at meat, poultry like a roasted chicken will do the trick, as will white meat like veal or pork.
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