Chardonnay

Question 1

Chardonnay - Flavour Profile

Answer 1

Cool climate: display flavours of green fruit, such as apple, citrus such as lemon.

Moderate climate: flavours lean more towards white peach and melon as well as lemon.

Warm/hot regions: stone fruits, such as peach may be accompanied by ripe tropical fruits such as banana and pineapple.

Question 2

Chardonnay - Climate Capabilities

Answer 2

Can grow and ripen without much difficultly however, it is early budding meaning it can suffer in areas where spring time frost is common.

Chardonnay can lose acidity quickly towards the end of ripening so harvest time is critical.

Question 3

Chablis

Answer 3

High acidity
Green apple and citrus notes, sometimes with a hint of wet stones and slate.

Question 4

Cote d’Or

Answer 4

The best wines combine subtle notes of stone fruits with creamy oak flavours.

Question 5

Maconnais

Answer 5

Wines are even more ripe and rounded, with hints of toasty oak.

Most wines go through malolactic conversation and many producers use extended lees ageing.

With age the best wines the best wines develop complex aromas of nuts and/or mushrooms.

Question 6

Regions with a reputation for premium Chardonnay

Answer 6

Russian River Valley

Los Carneros in California

Adelaide Hills, Margaret River, and Mornington Peninsula in Australia

Gisborne and Marlborough in New Zealand.

Casablanca Valley in Chile.