Wine "Chardonnay" (Chardonnay). Chardonnay grapes and wine from it

Wine "Chardonnay" is considered a classic among dry wines. Its tasteful bouquet is very interesting. It feels the tone of pineapple and bread crust, the drink gives a light citrus scale.

Slim, exquisite taste

Specialists-tasters call "Chardonnay" wine of three seasons. Indeed, if you try it the way winemakers advise, then at first you can smell the freshness of winter, as if the drink was only brought from the frost. Then an exquisite range of spring winds, filled with nectar flowers and herbs, is added. And after the first sip appears the taste of the first summer berries and fruits. Sufficiently dense and three-dimensional, the wine "Chardonnay" at the same time is very light and retains a long pleasant aftertaste.

What berries are used to produce wine?

Chardonnay (wine) is considered the most popular among white dry varieties. Produce it from the white grape Chardonnay (Chardonnay), home to which was Burgundy (France).

If you describe the ampelographic features of this grape variety, it is worth noting that the bunch usually grows to medium size. The berries are rather dense and large, a beautiful conical shape, the color is yellowish-green. As a rule, this grapes ripens in the middle of the season and serves as the basis for the production of the most expensive wines. Grapes Chardonnay is also used for the production of champagne.

To make the berries well ripe and get the maximum amount of minerals and nutrients from the soil, they are planted in a fairly warm climate, where there are deep soils. Since this kind of grapes is very fond of moisture, the land should keep water well and contain a large amount of limestone.

The beginning of history

Initially, this sort of grapes began to grow in Burgundy, namely in Chablis and Cote d'Or. The famous white Burgundy French wines, which are so popular among gourmets, namely Chablis, Merso, Montrachet and some others, are all one hundred percent made from Chardonnay. In the north, Burgundy makes excellent mineral wines. There, the soil consists of limestone, shellfish and clay. This combination gives the wine a slightly salty taste.

This grape variety has become so popular that it was later planted in other parts of the globe, and very successfully. In the 60-70s of the last century, this exquisite grapes began to actively cultivate on Australian and Californian lands. And it is this fact that served in the future to the mass distribution of this white wine throughout the world. Today, Chardonnay wine is known almost anywhere in the world.

After the successful experiment of Australians and winemakers in California, the grade of this grapes began to be planted more actively in the USA, South America, the Chardonnay plantations in Italy and Spain expanded considerably, it was adopted by the Balkan countries, and even very cold England and hot India.

Opponents did not manage to stop the spread

Among the wine growers there is a strong opinion that the best wines are made only from autochthonous varieties. That is, those that grow in the area from time immemorial. But the variety Chardonnay denied this postulate - a wonderful grapes excelled in different countries and won unprecedented popularity.

It even went so far that there was an active group of enthusiasts who opposed "Shardenemania". They organized "ABC - Anything But Chardonnay". In translation, it sounds like this: "anything except Chardonnay." The activists of this movement made calls to boycott the wines, which are made from this sort of grapes. But they did not achieve success - the wine "Chardonnay" continued to gain popularity at a rapid pace.

At present it is difficult even to name the wine-growing region, where this amazing grape variety would not grow.

Nevertheless, the wine "Chardonnay" white considers its homeland France and is the visiting card of this country. It is said that "Chardonnay" is the best option for young people who are just beginning to explore the world of wine. It is simple enough and has excellent taste qualities. By the way, its aromatic properties are neutral. It behaves perfectly when applying different wine techniques. There are two main approaches to the production of white wine: New-world and Burgundy. With the first technique, the drink is obtained with a tropical flavor, fruit aromas are well manifested. The Burgundian method gives the chardonnay some butteriness and creaminess.

That is why it is difficult to determine the classical flavor of "Chardonnay". Everything depends, in what conditions and in what area it is produced. The flavor can be interspersed with the flavors of white and tropical fruits, the tone of nuts, honey, the taste of citrus. Some tasters feel the taste of butter, baked pastries and even popcorn in this wine.

If the wine is aged in oak barrels, it may appear cream and vanilla shades.

How to serve this drink correctly?

In order to get full pleasure and understand why French wines are so attractive, you need to use this drink correctly. First you need to choose the right dishes. It is recommended to drink white dry wines from wide glasses on a high stalk. And the glass should be completely transparent, and the glass itself should not have any extra decorations.

According to the rules of etiquette, white wine is poured into the glass by no more than three quarters. Less is also not recommended. Wine is recommended to cool to a temperature of 6-8 degrees. And for half an hour before serving, the bottle must be opened to wake up the fragrance. Then the wine will breathe a little, it will be saturated with oxygen and its entire bouquet will simply blossom.

With what combination?

Wine "Chardonnay", reviews of which often have an excellent degree, it is best to eat with seafood. Oysters, lobsters, lobsters, mussels, shrimps are great for it. Also, experts advise to serve dry white to fish - both cold, for example, jellied, and to hot, baked in the oven or grilled.

This wine fits well with almost all cheeses, especially with sharp ones. Remember that the flavor of this drink is delicate and refined. Therefore, do not smoke when you drink "Chardonnay", because you will muffle the palette. Ladies who want to feel the whole bouquet of this wine, do not advise to use the spirits abundantly. In general, any extraneous smells will be superfluous on tasting.