4.3 | Principal White Grape Variety - Chardonnay

Question 1

Why is Chardonnay considered a versatile grape?

Answer 1

grows well in range of climates (cool, moderate, warm)

Question 2

What are the important regions for Chardonnay?

Answer 2

France: Burgundy, south of France

USA: California (Carneros, Sonoma, Napa Valley and Santa Barbara County) and Oregon

Australia: Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Margaret River

New Zealand: Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay

Chile: Casablanca Valley, Central Valley

South Africa: Western Cape, Walker Bay

Question 3

what are characteristics of cool, moderate, and warm-climate chardonnay?

Answer 3

cool-climate: high acidity, light to medium body, green fruit (apple, pear), citrus (lemon, lime), wet stones
moderate-climate: medium to high acidity, medium to full body, lemon, stone-fruit (peach), sometimes melon
warm-climate:medium acidity, full-bodied, dominated by stone-fruit and tropical flavors. peach pineapple banana

Question 4

which types of Chardonnay have acid added during winemaking?

Answer 4

warm-climate Chardonnay (acid is added to balance alcohol and body)

Question 5

what are common winemaking techniques employed with Chardonnay?

Answer 5

acidification
malolactic conversion
lees contact
oak barrel fermentation/maturation gives smoke, vanilla, coconut

Question 6

very good to outstanding Chardonnay that ages in bottle develops which tertiary aromas?

Answer 6

hazelnut, mushroom

Question 7

Chardonnay is the main white grape in which French region?

Answer 7

Burgundy

Question 8

What are the 4 important appellations of white Burgundy?

Answer 8

Bourgogne AOC (regional appellation) - grapes can be grown anywhere in Burgundy. Simple, apple/lemon, high acid
Chablis (village appellation). cool climate -> green fruit, lemon, wet stones. dry and high acid. the best vineyards are premier/grand cru in Chablis face south/southeast. usually unoaked to preserve delicate fruit
Cote d'Or: moderate climate (south of Chablis). Riper fruit flavors than Chablis (peach, melon). Mersault AOC and Puligny Montrachet are oaked and have lees contact, premier/grand cru vineyards here are best Chardonnay worldwide.
Maconnais - fruity, usually unoaked Chardonnay is Macon AOC. Pouilly Fuisse has higher-quality, fermented and matured in oak, concentrated stone/tropical fruit

Question 9

What is the climate in the south of France? How does this impact the style of CHardonnay made?

Answer 9

warm climate; bc it’s close to Mediterranean.

Chardonnay is ripe, fruity, high-volume. peach, pineapple, banana.
most are labelled IGP

very good to outstanding may be fermented or matured in oak but staves/chips are more common in South of France chardonnay.

Question 10

which region in California is known for its high yields of Chardonnay used for making high-volume, non-GI branded wines labelled “California”?

Answer 10

Central Valley in inland CA (warm, dry climate cut off from sea influences by mountains)
has flavors of peach, pineapple, medium acid, medium body. sometimes oak.

Question 11

True/False: Chardonnay from Carneros, Sonoma, and Napa have coastal influences and enjoy a longer slower ripening season than Central Valley

Answer 11

True - Carneros is cooled by morning fogs. Sonoma cooled by Pacific breezes. Napa is warmer, produces full-bodied tropical fruit with higher alc and pronounced new oak.

Question 12

which CA Chardonnay region produces wines similar to those from the Cote de Beaune?

Answer 12

Santa Barbara County (makes range of styles: one is similar to Cote de Beaune (peach melon, oak and lees) and one is more tropical, higher alcohol and new oak)

Question 13

What is Oregon’s climate and what style of Chardonnay does this produce?

Answer 13

climate is moderate. Chardonnay high acid, broad range of flavors (citrus to tropical)

Question 14

under which label would you find wines made from Chardonnay grown in a broad area, in warm irrigated inland vineyards?

Answer 14

South Eastern Australia (these are sometimes blended with other varieties or with cooler vineyards)

Question 15

though Australia has a warm climate, Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills have a longer growing season due to moderating influences. What are these influences

Answer 15

Yarra Valley (cooled by ocean currents)
Adelaide Hills (cooled by altitude)

Question 16

what are the characteristics of Chardonnay from Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills, Australia?

Answer 16

ripe stone-fruit (peach), tropical (pineapple, banana). Medium to high acidity with carefully balanced oak

Question 17

what are the climate and characteristics of Chradonnay from Margaret River, Australia?

Answer 17

warm climate. cooling sea breezes. medium to full body, ripe stone-fruit (peach) and tropical (pineapple)

Question 18

which two NZ regions are known for Chardonnay? What is the climate, and aromas of each?

Answer 18

Marlborough: cool to moderate climate. Prominent ocean influences and rainfull. Ripe lemon, peach, melon. High natural acidity, oak.

Hawke’s Bay: moderate climate. Chardonnay is the most widely planted white here. full-bodied, high acidity. Pronounced stone fruit

Question 19

Which coastal Chilean region is known for a refreshing style of Chardonnay with citrus and peach aromas, sometimes oak?

Answer 19

Casablanca Valley

Question 20

which South African region produces high-volume branded wines from Chardonnay?

Answer 20

Western Cape

Question 21

which grape variety is often blended with Chardonnay in South African wines?

Answer 21

Chenin Blanc

Question 22

What characterizes Chardonnay from the cool region of Walker Bay, South Africa?

Answer 22

good quality. high acidity. stone fruit and tropical fruit, and oak.