Chardonnay

Question 1

Name 2 villages in the Côte de Beaune that are famous for their Chardonnays.

Answer 1

Cote de Beaune’s villages:

• Meursault AOC
• Puligny-Montrachet AOC

Are famous for producing very good and outstanding-quality Chardonnays.

Question 2

Which winemaking options are typically deployed for Chardonnays from Meursault AOC and Puligny-Montrachet AOC?

Answer 2

Complexity and Body are added by:

• Fermenting and / or maturing the wines in oak barrels, and
• Aging them in contact with their Lees.

Question 3

What are some tertiary notes typically found on developing/aged Chardonnays?

Answer 3

Tertiary flavors (Hazelnut, Mushroom)

The premier cru and grand cru vineyards within Villages of Meursault AOC and Puligny-Montrachet AOC produce outstanding wines that can develop these for decades in the bottle.

Considered by many to be the Pinnacle of Chardonnay quality worldwide

Question 4

Name two commonly seen Chardonnay AOCs in Mâconnais.

Answer 4

1. Macon AOC 
2. Pouilly-Fuisse AOC
3. Fruity, mostly unoaked, simple flavours (lemon, peach, melon)
4. higher quality wines, concentrated stone fruit, tropical fruit flavours.

Question 5

Generally, are most Chardonnays from the Mâconnais oaked or not oaked?

Answer 5

Maconnais sub-region in the south of Burgundy is a source of fruity and mostly unoaked Chardonnay with simple flavours (lemon, peach, melon) labelled ‘Macon AOC’.

The village of Pouilly-Fuisse AOC wines are often fermented and/or matured in oak barrels to add body and flavour complexity

Question 6

What style of Chardonnay typically comes out of the south of France?

Answer 6

South of France (close to medeterranean coast) has a very WARM climate.  
High volumes
Ripe
Fruity
peach, pineapple, banana

Question 7

Where in California is bulk Chardonnay mostly grown?

Answer 7

Central Valley

• the inland Central Valley is cut off from any sea influence by mountains and has a very warm and dry climate. Irrigation makes it possible to produce high yields of grapes.
• Grapes used for high-volume brands with no GI and are labeled ‘California’.

Question 8

2 areas in Northern California known to be cooled by fog and/or Pacific breezes include:

Answer 8

Carneros - cooled by the morning fogs that come in from San Pablo Bay.
Sonoma - the costal vineyards of Sonoma are cooled by the pacific sea breezes

Question 9

What style of Chardonnay usually comes out of Napa Valley?

Answer 9

Full-bodied
Tropical fruit, complemented by
Vanilla and spice (from new oak).

Question 10

Which county on California’s Central Coast is known for its Chardonnay?

Answer 10

Santa Barbara County

Vineyard’s receive cooling sea breezes that are funneled inland by lateral valleys.

Chardonnay styles vary: Similar to those of Cote de Beaune, through to more tropical-fruit-flavored, with higher alcohol, more pronounced flavours from new oak

Question 11

The climate in Oregon is generally ____.

Answer 11

Moderate

Question 12

What appellation in Australia produces Chardonnay in high volume (and is usually low-to-medium quality)?

Answer 12

South Eastern Australia - High volume Chardonnay’s

Question 13

Name 3 appellations in Australia where high quality Chardonnay is produced.

What shared feature do they have?

Answer 13

1. Adelaide Hills (cooled by altitude)
2. Yarra Valley (cooled by ocean currents from south)
3. Margaret River *** smaller quantity but consistently High Quality Chardonnay’s

Question 14

Which appellation on New Zealand’s South Island is known for Chardonnay? What is its climate?

Answer 14

Marlborough

Climate: Cool to moderate

Question 15

Which appellation on New Zealand’s North Island is known for Chardonnay? What is its climate?

Answer 15

Hawke’s Bay

Climate: Moderate

Question 16

What region in Chile is known for experiencing Pacific sea breezes and morning fog?

Answer 16

Casablanca Valley

Question 17

The ___ Valley in Chile is large and warm, and makes Chardonnays that vary from inexpensive to pricey.

Answer 17

Central Valley

Question 18

High-volume, bulk Chardonnay from South Africa is known to come from the hot inland areas of the ___ ___.

Answer 18

Western Cape

Question 19

When making high-volume Chardonnay in South Africa, many winemakers will blend in what grape?

Answer 19

Chenin Blanc

Question 20

What is one of the coolest growing areas in South Africa planted to Chardonnay?

Answer 20

Walker Bay

Produces good-quality chardonnay with
high acidity
ripe stone-fruit (peach)
Tripical fruit (pineapple)
Oak