Why You Should Absolutely Love Chardonnay — Is it Just Misunderstood?
Love is in the air for Chardonnay! At least it should be.
Let’s talk about this!
Some wine stores have an ABC section: Anything But Chardonnay. What’s up with that?!?!”
Do not be that way!!
Let’s clear up any misunderstandings, shall we say.
Chardonnay has so many styles to choose from, you will be able to find a style you like.
A lot of people do love Chardonnay already.
For those who may not, accept the challenge!
Firstly, how did Chardonnay ever get this iffy reputation?
It’s probably from back in the 1980s and 1990s when some Chardonnays (mostly from California) were incredibly buttery, oaky and high in alcohol.
It is rarely made in that style anymore anywhere, but you still hear people complain that Chardonnay is too buttery and oaky. They haven’t even tried it lately.
Get over it!
It was never made that way in most places anyway!
Chardonnay isn’t just one thing!
The Chardonnay grape is one of the few that can make delicious wines in hot, moderate, and cool temperatures! YES!
Not only that, but the style can vary a ton based on wine-making techniques and terroir.
Just to clarify:
Terroir is like the 'personality' of the wine that comes from its surroundings. It’s a French term, but used all over.
Well, now what?
Time out for more clarity (you may want this later):
There is Old World Chardonnay and there is New World Chardonnay.
It was New World Chardonnay that may have given the wine the bad rep it ended up with.
If you just said, WAIT! WHAT?, then read this. Skip on down if you know exactly what I am talking about and the topic bores you.
First things first: What is meant by OLD WORLD and NEW WORLD?
Here’s the answer:
Many people refer just to Europe for OLD WORLD.
More broadly it includes North Africa and the Middle East, but most people think Europe. France thinks France.
NEW WORLD is basically everywhere else.
Usually, that is the United States, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. South Africa actually has some wineries as old as those in Europe, but I didn’t make these rules. Some times Canada is included.
THERE IS A LOT OF CHARDONNAY IN THESE PLACES!!
Think of the different terroir! You can find a wine you can love!
WELL, HOW, YOU ASK?
Drink and Compare.
Oh, yeah I have some fun wine tasting mats in the shop that will help!
These are not your sommelier’s tasting mats! They are to help you find your own style!
You can click on this conveniently located button for the store:
This is going to be fun!
Now would be a great time to sign up for the email list!
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That's where fun and the discounts are
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Now would be a great time to sign up for the email list! 〰️ That's where fun and the discounts are 〰️
HOW DO I START?
Be open minded!
However, if you absolutely know you prefer a lighter style, look for Chardonnays that are unoaked.
You can also look for wines from a cooler climate.
In general, cool climate wines have less alcohol, lighter body, and more acidity. Hot climate wines have higher alcohol, fuller body, and less acidity. Need help with those terms, click here.
Chablis in France is considered a cooler climate. However, some of the wines can be oaked. We are not talking creamy alcohol bombs here! At all!
See, that’s why you have to be open minded!
If you’re open to a less lean style, you can look to warmer climates and some oak! These wines are sometimes referred to as rounder.
Various really helpful hints (I do go overboard with this info, but so much to share):
Most wines in the world have some sort of GI (Geographical Indicator.)
In the Old World they have rules and regulations out the wazoo.
Their GI’s goes from generic area to really specific, as in a specific vineyard within an already narrowly drawn area. (Usually, the smaller the area, the higher the price. It’s supply and demand, people!)
Oh yeah, the wine label may not list the grape variety. EEK!
If the wine is white and from Burgundy, it will almost always be Chardonnay. If it is a white wine from Bordeaux it will not be! (That’s Sauvignon Blanc by the way.)
Lower priced wines may list the grape variety. Whew!
Wines in the New World have a less structured labelling system. They will usually list the grape variety as well.
If New Oak is used it will impart stronger flavors than Old Oak.
American Oak will often impart stronger flavors than French Oak. American Oak can be used in France and vice versa. Oak can come from other countries as well. Just saying.
Malolactic fermentation usually results in a creamier less acidic wine.
Vielle Vignes means old vines, but there is no legal definition for this.
Champagne can be made from Chardonnay grapes. Blanc de blanc ones are all Chardonnay. Italy and other countries also have some great sparkling wines made just like Champagne. Just don’t call them Champagne. The French won’t like it. Just saying.
NOW WHAT?
Take a walk through a wine store. See what you can find. See what you can learn! This is Free FUN WINE EDUCATION!
Maybe, choose a price range. No need to go stratospheric with the price. You certainly could with white Burgundies. Some go into the thousands of dollars!
You want to discover what YOU like! Your style!
Again, how?
Buy a few bottles and compare. Doesn’t have to be all at once.
Suggestions:
Compare styles? Compare countries or areas? Compare price points?
Here’s one of the Chardonnay Challenge tasting mats in the store. It’s a fun way to help you taste. Try them.
Find this in the store! Just click on the mat.
Click on the store button to see what else there is!
You buy it, then download and print however many you want!
These mats are not like those sommelier’s tastings mats. Nope! They are meant for exploration and finding what brings YOU wine fun and joy!
Maybe recreate the The Judgment of Paris of 1976. That’s when French Burgundies and California Chardonnays went head to head and California won!
Oh, yeah there’s a mat for that in the store too! Just click on the picture to shop.
Want to shop around and judge for yourself, click the button!
This is fun stuff!
May the most delicious wines win!
Don't forget to sign up!
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Don't forget to sign up! 〰️
Time to fall in love with Chardonnay.
The grape is so versatile! It is almost everywhere. So much to explore.
Don’t give up on it. Try a few bottles and see what this misunderstood grape can do!
It is definitely worth discovering all the ways it can be delicious!
Explore, compare and find the wines that bring you joy!
That is exactly what we are looking for!
Related posts:
For wine vocabulary review:
Top 10 things you need to know to have a useful wine vocabulary click HERE
For Judgment of Paris background:
Happy Anniversary Celebration of the Judgment of Paris- Wine Edition click HERE
Cheers to wine! Let’s Celebrate the Judgment of Paris click HERE
For a Deep dive into Chardonnay and differences between Old World and New World wines( part of the Monthly New Year’s fun wine resolution series) click HERE.
For Champagne info: All you need to know to Break out the Bubbly! Right now! click HERE
