Google+
|
|
Show Me Wineries That Are Selling This Wine
| Country of Origin: |
France |
| Region of Origin: |
Burgundy |
| Typical Product: |
White |
| Structure: |
Medium |
| Climate: |
Cool to Warm |
| Soil Type: |
Chalk, Clay, Limestone |
| Serving Temp: |
53 - 58F |
| Ageability: |
3 to 5 |
| Blends: |
|
| Sauces to Pair: |
|
| Meals to Pair: |
|
| Other Names*: |
|
Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted Varietals in the world due primarily to its ease of cultivation and relatively neutral flavor, making it extremely flexible for the wine maker. For most of its life, Chardonnay was called Pinot Chardonnay due to a long held assumption that it was a mutation of Pinot Blanc, itself a earlier mutation of Pinot Noir. UC Davis has concluded that part of the story is true in that Pinot Blanc is a 'cousin' of Chardonnay but Chardonnay actually comes from a crossing of Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc. In its native Burgundy region of France, Chardonnay is far and away the most prevalent white Varietal and is the main component in White Burgundy blends. Chardonnay is also one of the three main Varietals for producing Champagne (along with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). Earliest references to Chardonnay date from the late 13th century.
Chardonnay spread to California in the mid 1800's but by the end of prohibition, there were only two known vineyards left according to UC Davis. Its explosion can be directly attributed to the 1976 Paris wine tasting. Prior to that, it was experiencing the normal growth associated with French wines at the time. After the 1976, plantings of Chardonnay skyrocketed with new and existing Wineries eager to capitalize on the press provided by the surprisingly strong American showing. By 2000, Chardonnay had become California's most widely planted Varietal.
In recent years, Chardonnay has undergone a number of mini 'revolutions' and is possibly the most widely stylized Varietal currently produced in California. Winemakers adhering to the classic Burgundian style still use French Oak to impart a smooth flavor. More recent trend include keeping Chardonnay exclusively in Stainless steel to impart a crisper flavor. An even more recent trend is taking Chardonnay back to its roots by eliminating some or all Malolactic fermentation. US Chardonnays usually have different aging characteristics than their
French counterparts. While the best French Chardonnays can improve over
ten years, most new world version begin to tire after five years.
Chardonnay vines bear fruit earlier than most other vines, which gives it a long growing season in warmer climates. Cooler climates can be more sensitive to frost damage early in the season. When mature, the fruit has a light green to yellow/golden skin.
Chardonnay is one of the most misunderstood Varietals when it comes to serving. American tastes seem to dictate that all whites need to be served directly out of the refrigerator. Chardonnay, at least when made in the traditional style is made to be enjoyed at just below cellar temperature. When served below 48 degrees (F), the complexity in its flavors is lost and it comes across as very monotone often described as sharp. When served slightly warmer it provides a complex mouth feel with a strong finish that is much more rare among white Varietals. When it comes to temperature, Chardonnay (at least the Chardonnay made with oak in a classic style) has more in common with a lighter red like Pinot Noir than other popular whites like Pinot Grigio.
|
| * used in California |
(Please click on the Winery name for more information)
Burrell School
|
2015 |
$36.00 |
Estate "Teacher's Pet" |
Byington Winery
|
2008 |
$26.00 |
Redwood Hill |
Byington Winery
|
2009 |
$32.00 |
Bald Mountain |
Byington Winery
|
2009 |
$25.00 |
Quenneville Vineyard |
Byron Estate
|
2008 |
$27.00 |
|
Byron Estate
|
2009 |
$32.00 |
Nielson Vineyard |
Byron Estate
|
2009 |
$16.00 |
|
Silver Mountain
|
2010 |
$28.00 |
|
Wood Family
|
2010 |
$22.00 |
Para Mas Amigas |
Leal Vineyards
|
2010 |
$26.00 |
Estate |
Guglielmo
|
2009 |
$25.00 |
Private Reserve |
Eberle Winery
|
2010 |
$20.00 |
Estate |
Guglielmo
|
|
$13.95 |
Grand Cuvee Sparkling Wine |
Deaver Vineyards
|
2010 |
$19.00 |
With an Attitude |
Cru Winery
|
2010 |
$30.00 |
|
Callaway Vineyard
|
2008 |
$28.00 |
Sparkling Wine, Winemakers Reserve |
Callaway Vineyard
|
2009 |
$18.00 |
Special Selection |
Callaway Vineyard
|
2009 |
$28.00 |
Winemaker's Reserve |
Callaway Vineyard
|
2010 |
$28.00 |
Late Harvest Winemaker's Reserve |
Buoncristiani
|
2010 |
$45.00 |
|
Paraiso Vinyards
|
2009 |
$18.00 |
|
Paraiso Vinyards
|
2009 |
$35.00 |
Eagles Perch |
Cru Winery
|
2011 |
$23.00 |
UNOAKED |
Dunning Vineyards
|
2009 |
$24.00 |
Estate |
Bodegas Aguirre Winery & Vineyards
|
2008 |
$ |
|
Bent Creek Winery
|
2010 |
$19.00 |
|
Eckert Estate Winery
|
2011 |
$16.00 |
|
Peachy Canyon Winery
|
2011 |
$25.00 |
|
Sarah's Vineyard
|
2010 |
$30.00 |
Estate |
Sarah's Vineyard
|
2010 |
$27.00 |
|
Sarah's Vineyard
|
2009 |
$20.00 |
|
Satori
|
2010 |
$19.00 |
Rainbow Body |
Solis
|
2009 |
$30.00 |
Estate |
Kirigin
|
|
$14.90 |
|
Cru Winery
|
2011 |
$25.00 |
Vinyard Montage |
Cru Winery
|
2010 |
$30.00 |
|
Cru Winery
|
2010 |
$30.00 |
|
Lorimar Vinyards
|
2011 |
$36.00 |
|
Willamette Valley Vineyards
|
2010 |
$35.00 |
Estate |
Willamette Valley Vineyards
|
2010 |
$25.00 |
Dijon Clone |
Idle Hour Winery
|
2016 |
$22.00 |
|
| |
Follow Us on Twitter!
|
