Introduction
Is Chardonnay sweet? How well do you know your wine? All wine lovers have their signature drink. A staple choice whenever they want to go fancy, hang out with friends, spend a night with a lover, or even during a well-deserved quality time by themselves. In general, drinking wine is something we can do on almost all occasions. In every moment we are trying to celebrate or mourn over. There’s a distinct flavor we are longing for. A flavor just for you. And as they say, nothing beats choosing our own poison.
Wine in social occasions
Isn’t it also in many socializing conversations and occasions? We asked someone what type of wine they drink? Do they have their favorite? It was as if the choice of drink would unravel the other person’s personality and learn more about them. The drink might reflect a lot about an individual. The rationale behind that choice, his/her previous experiences with that type of wine, or maybe even their secrets. What are the thoughts running in your head when you go and drink wine? Do the wine flavors reminded them of someone? An experience? Or are they drinking in order to forget?
On a personal note, how well do you know your wine? Aside from its taste and aroma, do you like it because of its history? Did the country of origin matter to you? Can you tell the duration of its fermentation? Do you prefer Cabernet, Pinot, Moscato, or Chardonnay? Is Chardonnay even really sweet? Is it okay to categorize it as a sweet wine, or is there something still to discover about its wholeness? Hopefully, after reading this article, we’ll be able to get to know Chardonnay better, and we will have our answers to those daunting questions.
But prior to diving into the specifics of Chardonnay, we listed below a sweet summary of other different white wines in the market:
Other Types of White Wines For You
Sauvignon Blanc
It originated from Bordeaux, France, but also famous in New Zealand and the Loire Valley. In terms of its taste, it is known to have herbal, yellow bell pepper, and freshly mown grass aroma. Its flavor is blended green apple, pears, and gooseberries. Best paired with seafood, poultry, and salads.
Moscato
Popular in the vineyards of Rhone Valley, Italy, and Austria. It is typically sweet and fruity. Its aroma is musky with a hint of grapefruit. Moscato is best paired with desserts.
Pinot Grigio
It is said to be the most versatile in terms of food pairings. Pinot Grigio crisp, acidity, and dryness will blend with any dish. It is said to originate in the Venezia and Alto Adige regions of Italy.
Riesling
In terms of taste, it is said that Riesling is lighter than Chardonnay. It smells like a fresh apple and is usually sweet. It originated in Germany from Rhine and Mosel grapes. Best paired with chicken, pork, and fish – especially tuna and salmon dishes.
Semillon
Best paired with your pasta salad, clams, mussels, and fish dishes. Semillon originated from Bordeaux, France. It can be infused with Sauvignon Blanc in order to delimit its berry-like flavor.
Gewürztraminer
It usually tastes fruity, with an oozing aroma of peaches, rose petals, and lychees. Gewürztraminer is best known in Germany, New York, and the U.S. West Coast regions. This wine will go well with Asian dishes, pork, and grilled sausages.
History of Chardonnay: Going back to where it begins
Chardonnay is a green-skinned type of grape that originated from the vineyard of Maconnais in the region of Burgundy, France. It is said to be the most popular white wine. The first harvest of Chardonnay grapes can be traced back to the Roman Empire era. It was said that it is a result of crossbred Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc.
Pinot Noir was said to be an exquisite type of grape as it is high maintenance in terms of cultivation. It easily reacts to slight changes in soil moisture level. On the contrary to Pinot Noir’s sensitivity, Gouais Blanc was said to be an easy-to-grow grape. Maybe its fusion allows the breeding of an easy-to-grow fine wine. Allowing more people to experience a good quality wine.
Taste: A fusion of flavors
Some people would debate that Chardonnay is the father of all wines, as it has the most balanced flavor. Chardonnay can be sparkling or still. It will leave your tastebuds with a competition between tangy and sweet. You won’t be able to quite pinpoint it to just one, as its natural sugar content will fight over its mild acidity.
Although depending on the origin, Chardonnay may have a different blend of flavors. It’s velvety, rich in citrus flavor – lemon and grapefruit, and might even have a buttery tone -close to vanilla, coconut, or toffee. This balance of flavors allows the sweetness of Chardonnay to stand out with a kick. It’s best paired with fish and chicken dishes. Chardonnay surprisingly also even goes well with salmon dishes.
It complements dishes that have toasty flavors such as nuts, pastry crust, and even grilled or smoked dishes. However, you might want to reconsider pairing it with dishes with turmeric and a strong acidic taste like olives, tomatoes, and even chilies. As Chardonnay might have a bitter after taste, pairing food with mentioned ingredients might intensify the bitterness and will not give you a well-deserved mouthful experience.
In Conclusion
After going through Chardonnay’s history and flavor, with a few tips on other different white wines, hope you’ll be able to know more about this type of wine. Chardonnay definitely is something worthy of cheers! Drink up!