Although the Chardonnay grape has its origins in France, the Chardonnays of California have carved out a niche of their own on the world scene.
Chardonnays of California
Some of the most popular vino in the world is the white. These crisp, fruity vintages are refreshing – usually served chilled, and pair well with a number of different foods. In the United States, Chardonnay is a particularly popular selection. Its light taste and subtle qualities are valued among many wine lovers. The Chardonnays of California are valued highly among wine drinkers in the US, and the many different vineyards that produce this wine all bottle unique wines.
Chardonnay is named for the village Chardonnay in France, and it is produced from a green-skinned grape that is believed to have first been bred there. It is bottled in several different countries throughout the world including France, Italy, Australia and the United States. It is the eight most commonly planted variety of grape in the world, and it's the most popular vintage in Australia and New Zealand. In 2001, there were over 140,000 hectares of land throughout the world that were planted with the grapevines that produce the Chardonnay variety of grape.
The Chardonnays of California, like the Chardonnays that are produced in much of the world, are highly prized for their versatility. Depending on how the wine is fermented, different flavors can be brought out in the final product. The original vineyards in France that produced Chardonnay tended to produce a soft tasting variety with fruity and flowery notes. They shunned the idea of aging it in oak barrels, preferring to have theirs taste cleaner and pure. They also do not produce Chardonnay by the process of malolactic fermentation. As a result, French Chardonnay is more acidic.
In the US, however, and specifically in California, Chardonnay is aged in oak barrels, with the oak for these barrels coming from either in the US or France. It is this oak aging that sets the vintage apart as many drinkers prefer the aroma and flavor produced. California vineyards also use malolactic fermentation, which helps to produce a different flavor. US Chardonnay wines tend to have a different set of background notes than the French versions; these include a smoky taste and a caramel or vanilla flavor.
Chardonnays of California are an excellent bet for a clean tasting, crisp white. They pair well with seafood and other light tasting dishes, but it is also great when it is sipped on its own. Not as interesting as some whites, Chardonnay tends to appeal to a wider range of people than many other varieties.
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Xavier Moldini is with WineriesforYou.com - a directory of wineries.
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