Chardonnay: a grape name that has long been considered a true hallmark.
It's the most widely cultivated white grape in the world, yet it finds its true home in Burgundy. It has the unique ability to consistently elevate itself and the complex soil it thrives on. It's a grape that can "read" the land and represent it in the glass.
Its aromatic profile is broad and complex, with notes of peach, apple, and melon, lemon and grapefruit zest, lychee and pineapple, acacia and broom; butter and nut characteristics are equally representative of the variety, particularly in characteristic locations.
However, it has an aromatic spectrum that, as previously mentioned, reflects the weather, the production process, and the soil characteristics.
In terms of climate, it has a significant influence on fruit and vegetal aromas:
- Cold climate: lemon, lime, green apple, fennel, ...
- Temperate climate: peach, apricot, nectarine, ...
- Warm climate: ripe and tropical fruit, pineapple, mango, melon, ...
In the vinification process of Chardonnay, the malolactic fermentation is often employed, especially when the wine undergoes a period of maturation in oak barrels. This technique, which converts the malic acid present in the wine into the less aggressive lactic acid, imparts olfactory complexity and a smoother palate to the wine. From the production and aging process, a variety of distinct aromas emerge:
- Yeasts contribute to highlighting biscuit and bread notes.
- Malolactic fermentation imparts buttery notes.
- When fermentation and maturation occur in Barrique, nuances of toasting, vanilla, coconut, and sweet spices develop.
- During the bottle aging period, hints of honey and hazelnut emerge.
In this way, the production and aging process bestows upon Chardonnay an extraordinary variety of scents and flavors that make the wine particularly intriguing and complex.
However, it's the terroir that enhances its unique and distinctive aromas. Let's review some of the most renowned regions.
In Chablis, France, it is characterized by a honeyed aroma. In the "simpler" versions, it is embellished with fruity notes of lemon peel and yellow plum with a floral allure of linden flowers. In the "complex" Crus, the "sense of the terroir" emerges with aromas of flint, sea salt, smoke, fern, orange zest, moss, and star anise. Further south, the Cote d'Or offers the most famous vineyards and wines known for their characteristic aromas, with two standing out: hazelnuts and yellow peach. Here's a concise breakdown of the areas:
- Corton-Charlemagne with notes of marzipan and oats.
- Meursault with notes of butter and crusty bread.
- Puligny-Montrachet with notes of banana and spun sugar.
- Chassagne-Montrachet with notes of walnut and damp wool.
- Rully, Montagny, Givry with notes of citrus and licorice.
- Macon with notes of golden apple and hawthorn.
- Pouilly-Fuissé with notes of hazelnuts and tobacco.
And with aging, the finest cuvées develop a characteristic petrol aroma.
In Italy:
- Alto Adige with floral notes of rose, peach, and vanilla.
- Piedmont with typical wood notes.
- Valle d'Aosta with hints of apricot, candied lemon, honey, and cinnamon.
- Sicily with a more floral character of broom flowers and dill.
In Austria, traditionally known as Morillon in Styria, it has a fruity character of pear with tea leaf notes.
In California, in Sonoma, Napa, and Monterey, the aromatic expression ranges from the sweet and watery notes of melon to the exotic flavors of pineapple and banana, enriched in more complex wines with nut, butter, and toasted bread aromas.
In South America:
In Chile, specifically in Casablanca, there are notes of green apple, linden, and mint.
In Argentina, in Mendoza's Valle de Uco, there are notes of white and yellow fruit.
In Australia, there are notes of canned peaches, caramel, and milk chocolate from the warm vineyards in the central regions.
In summary, Chardonnay is the most versatile and widely cultivated white grape. It's renowned for its adaptability to terroir and various winemaking techniques, making it one of the most appreciated and enjoyable white grape varieties to taste.
Train your palate to recognize Chardonnay's aromas with TasterPlace's White Wine Aromas.