Chardonnay Flashcards
What climate does Chardonnay grow well in?
- Cool
- Moderate
- Warm
What is the profile of a typical Cool Climate Chardonnay?
- High Acid
- Light-Medium Body
- Green Fruit Flavours (Apple, Pear)
- Citrus Fruits (Lemon, Lime)
- Wet Stones
What is the typical profile of a Moderate Climate Chardonnay?
- Medium-High Acid
- Medium-Full Body
- Lemon
- Stone Fruits (Peach)
- Tropical Fruits (Melon)
What is the typical profile of a Warm-Climate Chardonnay?
- Full-Bodied
- Medium Acid
- Stone Fruit (Peach)
- Tropical Fruit (Pineapple, Banana)
What is Acidification for Chardonnay? Why do it?
Adding extra Acid to Warm-Bodied Chardonnay
To balance alcohol and body of wine
What are three methods to change, create secondary flavours in a Chardonnay?
- Malolactic Conversion
- Aging on the Lees
- Oak-Aging
What is Malolactic Conversion?
After Alcoholic Fermentation completed
By Bacteria, not Yeast
How does Malolactic Conversion change a Chardonnay wine?
- Lowers Acid of Wine
- Softens Harsh Acids
- Adds Dairy Flavours (Butter, Cream)
What is Aging on the Lees?
After Alcoholic Fermentation
Yeast Die and fall to bottom of fermentation tank
Dead Cells called Lees
Lees stirred through wine frequently
Adds Biscuit, Bread Flavours
What flavours does Aging on the Lees add to Chardonnay?
- Bread
- Biscuit
What flavours does Oak-Barrel Aging give Chardonnay?
- Smoke
- Vanilla
- Coconut
Why age Chardonnay in Oak?
- Add Body
- Add Flavours
Do winemakers always use the three techniques (Malolactic, Oak, Lees) when making Chardonnay?
No
Need the Chardonnay wine to be more robust.
If too light, these techniques will overwhelm the Chardonnay flavours
Secondary Flavours in a Chardonnay are added by what three techniques?
- Malolactic Conversion
- Aging on the Lees
- Oak-Aging
Certain Chardonnay’s can age in the bottle for years to decades. What Tertiary Flavours are typical of a long-aged Chardonnay?
- Hazelnut
- Mushroom
What are important French region for Chardonnay?
Burgundy, France
(South of Chablis, through Cote d’Or, to Maconais in North)
What are the important French AOC’s for Chardonnay (there are four)?
- Bourgogne AOC
- Chablis AOC
- Cote d’Or
- Maconnais
True or False - The Chardonnay grape is the main white grape variety in Burgundy
True
Chardonnays made in Bourgogne AOC can be grown where?
Made from grapes grown anywhere in Burgundy Region
Bourgogne AOC Chardonnay’s have what characteristics?
- High Acid
- Apple, Lemon Flavours
What is Chablis AOC
Village appellation
What kind of climate is in Chablis AOC?
Cool climate
What is the profile of a typical Chablis AOC Chardonnay wine?
- Dry
- High Acid
- Apple, Lemon
- Wet Stones
What are the best Chablis AOC labelled as?
- Premier Cru
- Grand Cru
Where are the Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines in Chablis AOC grown?
South/South-East facing hillsides
Produces riper grapes due to more sun exposure
Wines more complex and flavourful
Is Chablis AOC wines oaked?
No, only rarely
Winemakers want to preserve the delicate cool-climate flavours
What is the climate of the Cote d’Or?
Moderate
What area in the Cote d’Or is focused on Chardonnay production
Cote de Beaune
(South of the town of Beaune)
What are the two appellations in the Cote de Beaune that makes outstanding Chardonnay?
- Meursault AOC
- Puligny-Montrachet AOC
How are Chardonnay’s from Cote de Beaune made?
- Complexity and Body added by Oak aging
- Aging in contact with Lees
What tertiary flavours are in Premier Cru and Grand Cru Chardonnay from Cote de Beaune?
- Hazelnut
- Mushroom
Where is Maconnais located?
Sub-region south of Burgundy
What is a typical Maconnais Chardonnay like?
- Fruity
- Most unoaked
- Simple flavour (lemon, peach melon)
What is the two Maconnais appellations called?
- Macon AOC
- Pouilly-Fuisse AOC
What are the wines from Pouilly-Fuisse like?
- High quality wine
- Stone Fruits
- Tropical Fruits
- Fermented in oak to add complexity and body
What climate is in Pouilly-Fuisse AOC?
- Steep slopes
- Lots of sun
The South of France grows Chardonnay. What is the climate?
Warm
What is the typical profile of a South of France Chardonnay?
- Ripe, Fruity
- Fruit flavours (Peach, Pineapple, Banana)
Are these wines IGP wines?
Yes.
Most labelled IGP
