Chardonnay ORGANIC WHITE WINE

Chardonnay grape variety

From BurgundyChardonnay has conquered the world. Even in Canadawhite grapes are grown. The variety has been extremely popular for decades, and the reasons for its popularity are as varied and changing as Chardonnay itself.

Anyone who orders a glass of chardonnay blind in a restaurant can expect a surprise. So many factors influence the outcome in fundamental ways. Perhaps it's this unpredictability that encourages so many wine drinkers to try a Chardonnay from time to time. After all, gourmets are notorious for their spirit of discovery.

In France, Chardonnay grows on over 40,000 hectares. To protect the native varieties of many regions, the country has even passed a law prohibiting winegrowers from uprooting native vines in favor of Chardonnay. California has now overtaken France in terms of cultivated area. Vines grow on some 50,000 hectares. Spain ranks behind Italy, China, Australia and Chile with around 7,000 hectares..

Chardonnay is a highly productive grape variety that thrives particularly well on limestone, no too dry. Due to its fine skinChardonnay is sensitive to grape rot. Powdery mildew can also wreak havoc on vines.

Origin of the chardonnay grape

Spain's neighbor France is the epicenter of random crossbreeding of grape varieties. This country has given birth to an incredible number of delicious varieties. Exactly where Chardonnay originated in France remains to be determined. The presumed place of origin is in Burgundy. It includes the town of Chardonnay and the village where a 1685 document mentions the grape variety. This village is now called La Roche-Vineuse.

Related and similar grape varieties

Pinot and Gouais White (Heunique) are the parent varieties of Chardonnay. In eastern France, this variety is the result of a natural cross between the two. Chardonnay has an incredible number of siblings. Among them are Melon, Romaine and Aubin Green. Gouais Blanc is also the parent variety of Räuschlingof the Blaufränkisch and Burgundy Black. And Pinot is the great-grandfather of Syrah.

All over the world, winemakers have crossed Chardonnay with regional grape varieties. In France, the combination with Baroque gave rise to the grape variety Lilioran. In the United States, with Seyval Blanc, the Chadonel and in Switzerland, with the Chasselas Charmont. Today, Chardonnay has many children, but none as famous.

Production regions chardonnay grape variety in Spain

There isn't much chardonnay in Spain, but almost every wine-growing region has a small, refined population. Only in the south do winegrowers dare not grow it. It's too hot there. As Chardonnay is an excellent variety for sparkling wine, it is probably grown most extensively in Cava. Excellent white Chardonnay wines with 90 points or more come from Conca de Barberà, La Rioja and Penedès, among others.

Other chardonnay-growing regions in Spain

• Navarre
• Somantano
• Costers del Segre
• Cariñena
• Castille
• Alicante
• Cádiz

White chardonnay and cava wines

A sparkling cava or enchanting white wine ? Chardonnay is a wonderful grape for both. Xarel.lo and Macabeo are excellent partners for this grape variety, especially for fruity, floral cavas. In white wines, viura, tempranillo blanco and sauvignon blanc are popular blending varietals.

Spanish Chardonnay is vinified sec. Small quantities of this grape variety are rarely found in a mellow cuvée. The alcohol content of most bottles is between 12 and 15 % flight.

A varied Chardonnay taste

Weather, soil, ageing and the skill of the winemaker have a strong influence on the taste of the grape variety. Behind every new bottle lies a new surprise, ranging from soft yellow to golden. All indications are therefore without guarantee.

In the cooler regions Chardonnay develops aromas of green apple, pear and acacia honey. Notes of grapefruit, butter and popcorn are also common. Add hazelnut, fine minerality and a hint of smoke.

Wherever it is warmer, and many parts of Spain are naturally part of it, Chardonnay has more of a taste tropical These include ripe mango and banana, pineapple and melon. Butter and honey also stand out in many bottles. In addition, Chardonnay is generally full-bodied and low in acidity.

Typical Chardonnay aromas:

• Tropical fruitfrom pineapple to papaya
• Floral notes especially elderflower
• Herbs and plants for example, savory with fennel
• Spicy and smokywhether vanilla or caramel

More distinguished Chardonnay wines

• 2022 | Guía Peñín | 90 points | Barbazúl Blanco 2021
• 2021 | Guía Peñín | 94 points | Torres "Milmanda" 2018
• 2021 | Fastaff | 92 points | Jean León Chardonnay "Vinya Gigi" 2018
• 2021 | Guía Peñín | 92 points | Enate Blanco Chardonnay Barrica 2019
• 2020 | Guía Peñín | 96 points |Julián Chivite " Colección 125 " Chardonnay 2018

Which dish goes best with the Chardonnay white wine?

With a glass of Chardonnay rich in bodyThe bouquet adds an exotic touch and a new dimension to many dishes and snacks. The bouquet adds an exotic touch and a new dimension to many dishes and snacks.

• White meat Perfectly roasted (in butter) or smoked
• Saladsfish and seafood
• Vegetable dishes with olive oil and, season permitting, asparagus.
• Cheese platters with savoury pastries & ; grissini with garlic dips
• Noodles with cream and mushroom sauces

Perfect chardonnay glasses

Compared with other white wines, Chardonnay requires wide-mouthed, ventripotent glasses. Chardonnay should therefore be drunk from a Burgundy or red wine glass. Absolute fans of Chardonnay prefer to drink it in a Burgundy or red wine glass. Chardonnay corresponding.

The more space the wine takes up in the mouth, the better. This is because Chardonnays produced in warm regions such as Spain generally have little d'acidity. With more contact, the wine seems a little crisper. If, however, you find a cuvée with more acidity, it's best to use a white wine glass.

Characteristics of the grape variety

Chardonnay is the world's number one grape variety when it comes to white wine. It is often confused with Pinot White. Pinot blanc is a natural mutation of pinot noir. Chardonnay is a cross between pinot and gouais blanc. This family resemblance is probably at the root of the fairly frequent mix-ups.