Chapter 7: Chardonnay Flashcards
Describe the climate that suits Chardonnay
Can grow in varying climates from cool (Chablis) to hot (parts of California)
What are the flavours you would expect of a cool climate Chardonnay? (E.g Chablis)
Green fruit (pear, apple) with citrus and occasionally vegetable notes (cucumber).
What are the flavours you would expect of a moderate climate Chardonnay (like Burgundy and some premium New World regions)?
White stone fruit (peach), citrus notes and hints of melon.
What are the flavours you would expect of a hot climate Chardonnay (many New World sites)?
Tropical fruit like peach, mango, pineapple, banana, fig.
What is malolactic fermentation used for and what flavours does it contribute?
Used to soften harsh acids and can result in dairy notes like butter and cream.
How are lees used?
The dead yeast cells (lees) can be stirred through the wine after fermentation has finished and add a creamy texture and savoury flavours.
What flavours would you expect from oak?
Flavours of toast, vanilla, coconut
What is the basic flavour profile of Chardonnay?
Quote full bodied. Weighty, creamy texture.
What would you expect to see in an aged Chardonnay?
The best age well, developing honeyed, nutty, savoury complexity.
What is the classic region for Chardonnay?
Burgundy (Bourgogne), eastern France.
What are the quality level labelling terms for Burgundy?
Lowest to highest:
Regional - 23,eg “Bourgogne”
Appellation/village - 44, eg “Macon-villages”, “Mercurey”
Premier cru - 684, eg Mercurey 1ère Cru”
Grand Cru - 43 n Côte d’Or and Chablis only
What is the Côte d’Or? Describe what you would expect of a Côte d’Or Chardonnay.
In the heart of Burgundy.
Moderate climate with ideal conditions for high quality Chardonnay.
Mainly come from the southern half (Côte de Beaune) and are usually sold under the name of the village from which the grapes originate.
- Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet are the two main villages.
What would you expect of Meursault and Pouligny-Montrachet Chardonnays?
Full bodied, complex succession of different flavours including citrus, white stone and tropical fruit, oak, spice, and savoury notes.
Complexity and body are often added by fermenting in small oak barrels, and ageing then in contact with the yeast left over from fermentation.
What are the 5 main wine producing regions in Burgundy?
North to south Chablis Côte de Nuit (Côte D'Or) Côte de Baune (Côte D'Or) Côte Challonaise Maconnais
What are the designations for Burgundy
Regional
Village
1ère Cru
Grand Cru
Where do the majority of Grand Cru White Burgundies come from?
All but one of the region’s white Grand Cru wines are in the Côte de Beaune
What is the Maconnais known for?
For producing large quantities of easy-drinking and more affordable white wine.
What flavour profile would you expect from a Chablis?
Citrus, green fruits, high acidity and no discernible oak (unlikely to be Oaked). May have notes of flint.
The cool climate of this region produces wines with more acidity and flavors less fruity than Chardonnay wines grown in warmer climates.
What would you expect from a pouilly-fuissé Chardonnay?
Full bodied with tropical fruit (pineapple, melon) and oak.
What region is Pouilly Fuissé from?
Maconnais, Burgundy
What are the main Australian regions for Chardonnay?
Victoria - Yara valley
Adelaide Hills
Margaret river
What flavours would you expect in a classic Australian Chardonnay?
Pronounced fruit (fresh citrus and melon) and well-integrated oak flavours but egs with more restrained fruit characters and less or no oak are becoming more common
What is the main region in NZ and what would you expect if it?
Marlborough. Premium Chardonnay with high natural crisp acidity with pronounced tropical fruits, citrus and mineral notes. The best have pronounced oak.
What climatic effect occurs in California which aids Chardonnay growing?
Most premium areas are cooled by breezes and morning mists blown in from the Pacific Ocean. This slows ripening of the grapes and allows intense, complex flavours to build up.
What are the main Californian regions for Chardonnay?
RUSSIAN river, Sonoma, Carneros.
What are the styles of Californian Chardonnay?
Vary greatly. Many are very full bodied with intense rich citrus and peach flavours and are heavily oaked. Others are very savoury and similar to Cote D’Or Chardonnays.
What are the main regions for Chardonnay in Chile?
Central Valley, Casablanca.
What climatic factors aid the growing of Chardonnay in Casablanca, Chile?
Cool sea breezes and morning dogs slow down ripening and allow for flavours to build up while acids are retained.
What flavours are notable in Chilean Chardonnay?m and how are they cultivated?
Banana and melon flavours are enhanced by barrel fermentation and oak ageing
Where do premium Argentinian chardonnays come from? What factors aid growing?
Mendoza. High altitude and cool nights help produce intense flavours often with a spicy oak character
What area in South Africa produces Chardonnay?
Walker Bay and cool coastal areas
In Australia, which grape variety is commonly blended with Chardonnay?
Semillon
In South Africa and California , which grape variety is commonly blended with Chardonnay?
Colombard
Chenin blanc
Which grape variety is commonly blended with Chardonnay to add oily texture, full body and a peachy floral character?
Viognier
