Ch07 Chardonnay

Question 1

Typical general characteristics of Chardonnay

Answer 1

• Neutral grape, not aromatic like Sauvignon Blanc
• Full body + weighty creamy texture
• Best Chardonnays ages well
• Expresses terroir so variety of styles

Question 2

Chardonnay Climates?

Answer 2

• Cool Region
- Green Fruit (apple, pear) + Citrus + Vegetable (cucumber)
• Moderate Region
- White Stone Fruit (peach) + Citrus + Melon
• Hot Region
- Tropical Fruit (peach, banana, pineapple, mango, fig)

Question 3

What is Malolactic Fermentation

Answer 3

• Dairy (butter, cream

- Harsh Malic Acids (apple) converted to softer Lactic Acids (milk)

Question 4

What is Lees and what does it give (texture, flavour)

Answer 4

• Lees (dead yeast cells after fermentation) stirred through wine
• Creamy texture, savoury flavours

Question 5

Oak adds flavours of?

Answer 5

Toast + Vanilla + Coconut

Question 6

Burgundy Regions?

Answer 6

• Bourgogne AC
• Chablis
• Côte de Beaune
  • Meursault
  • Puligny-Montrachet
• Mâconnais
  • Mâcon
  • Pouilly-Fuissé

Question 7

Describe Chablis Chardonnay

Answer 7

• Cool climate
• Bone Dry + High Acidity + Austere + Smokey/Steely Minerality from Limestone soil
• No Oak
• Green Fruit (apple, pear) + Citrus (lemon)
• Characteristics more pronounced in Premier Crus and Grand Crus

Question 8

Describe Cote d’Or Chardonnay (Cote de Beaune, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet)

Answer 8

• Fermented in small oak barrels = complexity + body
• Aged in contact with lees = Full body + Complex array of flavours
• Citrus + White Stone + Tropical Fruit + Oak + Spice + Savoury
• Le Montrachet = expensive

Question 9

Describe Pouilly-Fuisse Chardonnay

Answer 9

Pouilly-Fuisse

• Full body + Tropical Fruit (pineapple, melon) + Oak
• Steep, sun trap slopes at far south of Maconnais

Question 10

Describe Macon Chardonnay

Answer 10

Macon

• Large volumes, moderately priced
• Light + Fruity (melon, citrus)
• Little to no oak

Question 11

Name Australian Chardonnay regions (3)

Answer 11

Yarra Valley, Victoria
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Margaret River, West Australia

Question 12

Describe Characteristics of Australian Chardonnay

Answer 12

Classic = Pronounced Fruit (citrus, melon) + Well integrated oak
But more restrained and less or no oak becoming popular

Question 13

New Zealand Chardonnay is produced in? Detail the characteristics.

Answer 13

• Marlborough
• Premium chardonnay
• High Natural Acidity + Citrus + Tropical Fruits + Mineral Notes + Oak

Question 14

USA Chardonnay Regions

Answer 14

California

• Russian River
• Carneros
• Sonoma

Question 15

Describe how California climate affects grapes

Answer 15

• Grown widely throughout California
• Most come from areas cooled by breezes and morning mists from Pacific Ocean
• Slows ripening allowing intense complex flavours to build up

Question 16

California Chardonnay styles?

Answer 16

• Vary in style
• Many are full body + Intense rich Citrus and ripe peach + heavily oaked
• Some are savoury and like Cote d’Or

Question 17

Chile Chardonnay Regions

Answer 17

• Central Valley

- Casablanca (northwest of Santiago)

Question 18

Climate in Chile and how does it affect Chardonnay grapes?

Answer 18

Cool sea breezes + morning fog = slows ripening allowing time for flavours to build and RETAINING ACID

Question 19

Style of production of Chardonnay in Chile

Answer 19

Barrel fermentation and ageing = Banana + Melon

Question 20

Argentina Chardonnay Region

Answer 20

Mendoza

Question 21

Characteristics of Mendoza Chardonnay?

Answer 21

High altitude + cool night time temperatures

Intense fruit + Spicy oak

Question 22

Chardonnay in South Africa

Answer 22

• Walker Bay (coastal)

- Variety of styles

Question 23

How is BULK Chardonnay made?

Answer 23

• Fermented - Blended - Stored In Stainless Steel Vats Until Ready For Bottling
• Oak Added With Staves Or Chips

Question 24

BULK Chardonnay regions (7)

Answer 24

SEA
Western Cape
California
Central Valley in Chile
Pays d’Oc IGP or Vin de France
Southern Italy
Argentina

Question 25

Chardonnay Blends

Answer 25

Chardonnay-Semillon = Australia Colombard Chardonnay = South Africa + USA Chardonnay Chenin Blanc = South Africa + USA Chardonnay-Viognier

Question 26

Why does Viognier blend well with Chardonnay

Answer 26

- Viognier’s oily texture + full body merge well with Chardonnay - Viognier is aromatic and gives extra peachy, floral character

Question 27

What are the key facts about Chardonnay ?

Answer 27

* It can grow in range of soils and climates and make attractive wines in different climates from cool(Chablis) to hot (California) * Produce a wide range of styles * Characteristics and acidity vary with climate * Winemaking techniques influence characteristics

Question 28

What are the aromas we get from cool climate ? (Chablis)

Answer 28

* High acidity * Green fruits (apple, pear) * Citrus fruit (lemon) * Sometimes vegetable notes (cucumber) * Smokey Mineral Flinty Signature * Characteristics pronounced in Premiere Cru & Grand Crus * Usually unoaked with few exceptions

Question 29

What are the aromas we get from moderate climate ? (Burgundy and Premium New World)

Answer 29

* Stone fruit (peach) * Citrus fruits * Tropical fruit (Hint of melon) * Often exposed to oak & lees; malolactic fermentation

Question 30

What are the aromas we get from hot climate ? (New World)

Answer 30

Tropical fruits (peach, banana, pineapple, mango and fig)

Question 31

What can we expect from the best ageing Chardonnays ?

Answer 31

Developing honeyed, nutty, savoury complexity

Question 32

Classic example of Chardonnay blends?

Answer 32

Chardonnay-Semillon Colombard-Chardonnay Chardonnay-Chenin blanc Chardonnay-Viognier