Chardonnay

Question 1

True or false: chardonnay can be produced in various climates and, therefore, many different styles.

Answer 1

true

Question 2

What is acidification?

Answer 2

Acidification is the process of adding extra acid during winemaking to offset alcohol and body of wines, often grown in warm climates

Question 3

Match the winemaking process to the resultant flavors with regards to Chardonnay:

1) Oak barrel fermentation
2) Lees contact
3) Malolactic conversion

a) bread and biscuit
b) butter, cream
c) smoke, vanilla, coconut

Answer 3

1 –> c
2 –> a
3 –> b

Question 4

What might cause a Chardonnay to develop notes of hazelnut or mushroom?

Answer 4

bottle age (tertiary aromas)

Question 5

What is the main white grape of Burgundy?

Answer 5

Chardonnay

Question 6

Which of the following aromas would you be least likely to find in a Chablis wine?

a) wet stones
b) coconut
c) apple
d) lemon

Answer 6

b) coconut

Question 7

The best Chablis vineyards (Premier Cru or Grand Cru) are often vineyards with slopes facing which direction?

Answer 7

south/south-east

Question 8

Which of the following weather complications is most likely to limit the amount of Chablis produced in a year?

a) summer rains
b) fog
c) late sunset
d) frost

Answer 8

d) frost

Question 9

Which two Côte d’Or villages are most known for producing top quality Chardonnay aged both in oak and on their lees?

Answer 9

Meursault AOC, Puligny-Montrachet AOC

Question 10

What sub-region south of Burgundy is popular for simple, unoaked Chardonnay wines?

Answer 10

Mâconnais (Mâcon AOC)

Question 11

Which village in the Mâconnais sub-region might produce stone-fruit and tropical forward Chardonay wines matured in oak?

Answer 11

Pouilly-Fuissé AOC

Question 12

Why might a winemaker elect to use oak chips in production?

Answer 12

low cost way to impart oak flavors

Question 13

Which Chardonnay-producing region of California is NOT cooled by sea breezes, and therefore produces a fuller-body style of Chardonnay?

a) Carneros
b) Sonoma
c) Napa Valley
d) Santa Barbara County

Answer 13

c) Napa Valley

Question 14

Is a bottle of Oregon Chardonnay more likely to resemble a Chablis or a Napa Valley Chardonnay?

Answer 14

Chablis

Question 15

Which two Australian wine regions are known for producing high quantities of warm-climate Chardonnay?

Answer 15

South-Eastern Australia, Margaret River

Question 16

Which two Australian wine regions are known for producing high quantities of cool-climate style Chardonnay?

Answer 16

Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley

Question 17

What is the most widely planted white grape of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand?

Answer 17

Chardonnay

Question 18

Which cool Chilean wine region is known for producing smaller qualities of high-quality Chardonnay wines?

Answer 18

Casablanca Valley

Question 19

Which South African wine region is known for producing very good quality Chardonnay wines?

Answer 19

Walker Bay