Section 2: Chardonnay Flashcards
what makes chardonnay an unusual variety
it can grow in a variety of climates - cool (chablis) to hot (california)
chardonnay is always the same true or false
false, it style varies greatly depending on where it is grown
what style is cool climate chardonnay
high acidity - green fruit with citrus and sometimes vegetables.
two examples of cool climate regions where it is grown
champagne and chablis
moderate regions’ flavour profile
citrus, stone fruit, tropical fruit
two examples of moderate regions where it is grown
burgundy and premium new world regions
hot regions’ flavour profile
tropical fruit notes eg banana and pineapple
where do most of the common chardonnay flavours come from
wine making techniques
most common winemaking techniques that impact style and flavour
malolactic fermentation, lees contact, oak ageing
what produces dairy flavours
buttery, creamy - malolactic fermentation softens the harsh acids
what is lees contact and what does it create
dead yeast cells left behind after fermentation. produces savory flavours (bread, yeast) and a creamier texture
what does oak ageing create
woody/toasty flavours; vanilla, coconut, toast
does chablis often use oak?
no, because the fruit is so pure
does chardonnay age well, if so/not what flavours does it produce
yes - honey, nutty, savoury complexity
premium chardonnay regions in france
white burgundy (bourgogne), chablis, cote d’or, meursault, puligny-montrachet maconnais, pouilly-fuisse
what are wines made from grapes throughout burgundy labelled as
Bourgogne
what climate is chablis
cool
describe a chablis
bone dry, high acid, austere, green fruit and citrus. smoky, flinty, mineral signature (particularly in premier and grand cru). very rarely is oak detected
where is Cote d’or
heart of burgundy
cote d’or climate
moderate - ideal for high quality chardonnay
most famous villages in cote d’or
Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet
signature cote d’or?
fermented in oak barrels and ageing on lees - full bodied and complex - flavours of citrus, white stone and tropical fruit, oak, spice and savoury.
are le montrachet good?
finest dry white wine in the world - v expensive
