When we talk about wine we immediately think of Chardonnay. This is probably the most famous wine in the world. Technically, chardonnay is the grape used to grow this famously dry white wine. The grape's origins lie in the Burgundy region of France. If you want to get rally specific then it is the Chablis area that most of the top-notch Chardonnay is grown. Chablis wine is highly favoured for its freshness and pure aroma. It is a far cry for some of the fruitier chardonnays that are grown elsewhere. The Chardonnay that is produced in Chablis is believed to acquire its distinctive taste from the limestone soil.
But there are many other areas in France where Chardonnay produces world-renowned wine. These include the Chassagne-Montrachet and Mersault. Both are found in the Cte de Beaune. In addition, there are the brilliant AC of Rully, Mercurey and Montagny wines that are produced further south, in the Cte Chalonnaise. These wines are not as well known as their more northern counterparts. Their flavour also differs slightly as it is creamier with a gentle nuttiness. This is because old oak is used in the production of these wines.
Chardonnay also grows outside of the region of Burgundy. It is interesting to note that Chardonnay is permitted to be used in the making of champagne. It can be blended with two other white grapes to make a legitimate champagne from the famous region. These two grapes are Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. No other white grapes are allowed to be used in the production of real champagne. Chardonnay can also be used on its own to make champagne. Here, it grows on chalky hills dubbed the Cte des Blancs. This type of champagne is commonly referred to as Blanc de Blancs.
The further south you find the chardonnay grape, the more mellow its taste becomes. In addition to this it also tastes more rounded and even buttery. This is in contrast to the steely and dry flavour it has further north. Charodnnay can be blended with other grapes like Viognier and Marsanne. This will effectively reduce the richness of its taste. However, it can also add a fruity element to the flavour.
You can find chardonnay grapes growing outside of France. In actual fact, chardonnay grows wherever wine is being produced. For instance, chardonnay is grown in England to help with the production of their sparkling wine. You will also come across it in the Somontano, Spain. Italy is a slightly different story. While chardonnay is cultivated in the Piedmont region it is not used as much as their local grapes. Italian white wine tends to favour grapes such as Glera and Fiano.
But there are many other areas in France where Chardonnay produces world-renowned wine. These include the Chassagne-Montrachet and Mersault. Both are found in the Cte de Beaune. In addition, there are the brilliant AC of Rully, Mercurey and Montagny wines that are produced further south, in the Cte Chalonnaise. These wines are not as well known as their more northern counterparts. Their flavour also differs slightly as it is creamier with a gentle nuttiness. This is because old oak is used in the production of these wines.
Chardonnay also grows outside of the region of Burgundy. It is interesting to note that Chardonnay is permitted to be used in the making of champagne. It can be blended with two other white grapes to make a legitimate champagne from the famous region. These two grapes are Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. No other white grapes are allowed to be used in the production of real champagne. Chardonnay can also be used on its own to make champagne. Here, it grows on chalky hills dubbed the Cte des Blancs. This type of champagne is commonly referred to as Blanc de Blancs.
The further south you find the chardonnay grape, the more mellow its taste becomes. In addition to this it also tastes more rounded and even buttery. This is in contrast to the steely and dry flavour it has further north. Charodnnay can be blended with other grapes like Viognier and Marsanne. This will effectively reduce the richness of its taste. However, it can also add a fruity element to the flavour.
You can find chardonnay grapes growing outside of France. In actual fact, chardonnay grows wherever wine is being produced. For instance, chardonnay is grown in England to help with the production of their sparkling wine. You will also come across it in the Somontano, Spain. Italy is a slightly different story. While chardonnay is cultivated in the Piedmont region it is not used as much as their local grapes. Italian white wine tends to favour grapes such as Glera and Fiano.
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For the best chardonnay, you should visit the london wine merchants or other wine merchants uk recommended in these resources.
