Chardonnay

Question 1

List the qualities of a cool climate Chardonnay.

Answer 1

• high acid
• green fruit (apple, pear)
• citrus fruit (lemon)
• vegetal (cucumber)

Question 2

List the qualities of a moderate climate Chardonnay.

Answer 2

• citrus fruit
• stone fruit (peach)
• tropical fruit (melon

Question 3

List the qualities of a warm climate Chardonnay.

Answer 3

-tropical fruit (banana, pineapple, peach, mango, fig)

Question 4

Name three Chardonnay winemaking techniques.

Answer 4

1. Malolactic fermentation
2. Lees contact
3. Use of oak

Question 5

What is malolactic fermentation and what does it add to the wine?

Answer 5

• “secondary fermentation” that converts malic acid (malo - sour acid. e.g. sour green apples) to lactic acid (dairy, milk).
• softens harsh acids
• adds dairy flavors (butter, cream)

Question 6

What is less contact and what does it add to the wine?

Answer 6

• Lees (dead yeast cells left behind after fermentation) can be stirred through the wine to:
  1. add savory flavors (bread, yeast)
  2. add creamy texture

Question 7

How is oak used in winemaking? What does it add to the wine?

Answer 7

Techniques:

1. age in oak
2. ferment in oak
3. add staves (small planks)
4. add chips (large splinters)

Adds:

• toast
• vanilla
• coconut

Question 8

Chablis

Answer 8

100% Chardonnay
“White Burgundy”
cool climate

• bone dry
• high acid
• austere
• green fruit
• citrus
• smoky, flinty
• mineral
• oak rarely detectable

Question 9

Meursault & Puligny-Montrachet

Answer 9

100% Chardonnay
“White Burgundy”
Cote de Beaune (Cote d’Or)
moderate climate

• complex
• full body
• oak
• citrus fruit
• tropical fruit
• white stone
• spice
• fermented in small oak barrels

Question 10

Macon (Macconais)

Answer 10

100% Chardonnay
“White Burgundy”
moderate climate

• large volume
• moderately priced
• light
• fruity (melon, citrus)
• little or no oak

Question 11

Pouilly-Fuisse (Macconais)

Answer 11

100% Chardonnay
“White Burgundy”
moderate climate
steep, suntrapped slopes

• full body
• tropical fruit (pineapple, melon)
• oak

Question 12

Australian Chardonnay

Answer 12

• Yarra Valley
• Adelaide Hills
• Margaret River

Classic style:

• fruit (fresh citrus, melon)
• well-integrated (oak)

Becoming more common:

• more restrained fruit
• little-to-no oak

Question 13

New Zealand Chardonnay

Answer 13

-Marlborough

• high acid
• crisp
• tropical fruit
• mineral
• pronounced oak

Question 14

California Chardonnay

Answer 14

-Russian River
-Sonoma
-Carneros
(cooled by breezes, morning mists: slows ripening)

-vary widely in style
-full body
-intense, rich citrus
-ripe peach
-heavily oaked
or
-savory (like Cote d’Or)

Question 15

Chilean Chardonnay

Answer 15

-Casablanca
(cool sea breeze, morning mists: slows ripening)

• banana
• melon
• barrel fermentation
• oak aging

Question 16

Argentinian Chardonnay

Answer 16

-Mendoza
(high altitude, cool nights)

• intense fruit
• spicy oak

Question 17

South African Chardonnay

Answer 17

-Walker Bay
(cooler, coastal)

-style vaies

Question 18

Chardonnay in Blends

Answer 18

Australia:
-Chardonnay & Semillon

South Africa, California:

• Chardonnay & Colombard
• Chardonnay & Chenin Blanc

Europe:
Chardonnay & local grapes

Other:
Chardonnay & Viognier
(oily texture, full body, peachy, floral)

Question 19

Bulk Production Regions for Inexpensive Chardonnay

Answer 19

• South Eastern Australia
• Western Cape
• California
• Central Valley (Chile)
• Pays d’Oc IGP
• Vin de France
• Southern Italy
• Argentina