Chardonnay

Chardonnay: One Smell Away from Paradise

Chardonnay is often looked down upon by wine connoisseurs because it is the epitome of a mass-produced varietal wine. Varietals are wines that are produced using only one grape type and in this case the grape’s name is Chardonnay. It has been around for centuries and is easily one of the most produced white wine varietals in the world.

Connoisseurs tend to scoff at wines that are produced on a massive scale because to them it means the wine is slightly generic.  I will not argue with that, but what I will say is that it is a magnificent addition to any meal or occasion, because it is a light-tasting yet pleasurable. Chardonnay is so light in flavor that if it were to be blended with any other grape, its flavor and aroma profiles would be dominated by the secondary wine. For this reason it is important to find the pure varietal in order to experience Chardonnay in all its magnificence. Let’s take a look at its profiles and pairing options.

Appearance

Chardonnay grapes are small, light green, and covered with several tiny-brown dots. The grapes look as if they will burst with any amount of pressure being applied.

Flavor

Chardonnay grapes are very adaptive and they easily take on the flavors/aromas of the region they are produced in. Because of this, they have a wide-ranging flavor profile. Here are some of the flavors Chardonnay is best known for:

• Apple

• Hazelnut

• Cream

• Butter

• Lemon

• Lime

• Banana

There are so many flavors that it would be difficult to list them all. After all, that is what most people enjoy about wine tasting – there is something different with each and every sip.

Aroma

Since we use our nose for taste and smell, it stands to reason that the aroma profiles will coincide with that of the flavor profiles. In the case of Chardonnay, this is true. But, in order to get the full-flavor from any wine, one must smell it deeply in order to stimulate the sensory receptors in the olfactory region, which grants a more robust flavor. As with the flavor, the smells can also range from banana to apple and from butter to oak.

Food Pairing

Chardonnay has a long list of pairing options because of its versatility, but here are some of the tried and true options:

• Poultry

• Pork

• Seafood

• Cream and Butter based Foods

There are several options because Chardonnay’s vinification process will give it vastly different flavor profiles and pairing options. Oaked and un-oaked will make a big difference in terms of its pairing options, so here are some of the un-oaked pairing options:

• Guacamole

• Garlic Salads

• Grilled Shrimp

• Curry-based dishes

Cheese Pairing

• Brie

• Camembert

• Goat Cheese

• Gouda

• Gruyere

• Parmesan

• Provolone

Even though Chardonnay gets a bad rep from many connoisseurs, it is still a fabulous wine that should never be counted out. There are several vintners that make Chardonnay the quick’n’easy way; many of these wines are called ‘cookie-cutter’ wines, and while their flavors aren’t as pure as others may be, they still offer a wonderful experience nonetheless. When it comes to wine, nothing should be counted out because each bottle offers something completely different and fresh. Do your senses a favor and grab a glass of chilled Chardonnay to sip with your next meal. You won’t be sorry you did.