Chardonnay

What does Chardonnay taste like?

Chardonnay has been disliked by wine drinkers for many years. Chardonnay carries a dry and oaky taste. The Chardonnay has a buttery, smooth aroma with vanilla flavors in the finish due to fermentation and aging. Chardonnays have a medium to full-bodied feel on the body due to the alcohol content in the wine.

Why is Chardonnay so popular?

Chardonnay wines come from a green-skinned grape which is fairly easy to grow and tend to. Most vineyards have Chardonnay growing due to how much it yields and the gross profits. Most wine drinkers have harsh feelings about Chardonnay however those who love wine consider it to be the most popular white wine. If grown correctly Chardonnay should have flavors of toast and spice (vanilla, nutmeg, and clove). Another reason why Chardonnay is so popular is that it uses residual sugar and is oak barrel-aged. People choose to buy Chardonnay online to be safe due to the pandemic. 

How many calories and carbs does Chardonnay have?

The green-skinned grapes are a bit drier than red grapes, yet still delicious. A glass of Chardonnay has about 13% ABV and has about 120 calories. That may be a high amount due to the residual sugar it uses, however, Chardonnay only has 2% carbohydrates which makes it a great source for dietary weight loss. 

Is Chardonnay dry or sweet?

Chardonnay white wine has a very particular characteristic - it chooses whether it wants to be sweet or dry. It all depends on which technique the winemaker uses. Most Chardonnay has a fruit-forward, medium to full-bodied taste with a dry taste, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be sweet. The way the Chardonnay is bottled and fermented makes the wine ripen and turn sweeter due to the oaky and molasses flavors. Those who age their Chardonnay in new oak barrels will probably have a dry and oaky flavored wine. 

How to drink Chardonnay wine?

When someone decides to open a bottle of Chardonnay it should be at least 50-55° F (14-16° C). The Chardonnay wine bottle needs to be put in the fridge several hours before serving. You should decanter Chardonnay that is 5 years and older. It is also customary to let the wine sit in an ice-water bath half an hour before opening. 

What are some foods that pair well with Chardonnay wine?

Most people usually enjoy seafood with their Chardonnay in a rich and creamy sauce. Chardonnay goes well with oysters, shellfish, scallops, salmon, halibut, trout, and white meats like chicken and pork tenderloins. Cheeses go well with Chardonnay as well. Brie Fresh Mozzarella, Camembert, Munster, Epoisses, Herve, goat cheese, and Gouda-type cheeses go well with Chardonnay. 

What are some popular Chardonnay wines to drink?

Chardonnay has always been an elite white wine to the eyes of winemakers. The beauty of growing a vineyard full of grapes is a dream come true. Popularity grew over the years, especially in California, where people decided to go with a more fitting and less calorie approach. Chardonnay is a wine that doesn’t really affect your weight or add sugar to your count. Some of the more popular Chardonnay wines are listed below:

1. Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018 has flavors of crisp pears, citrus, and spice. Flowers Chardonnay has a medium-bodied tone and is balanced with light acidity. Goes well with flaky halibut or pan-seared salmon. 
2. Far Niente Napa Valley Winery Estate Chardonnay 2018 really packs a punch by being 100% Chardonnay. This wine really tastes young and carries a nice dry taste on the palate. It has an oaky dry flavor which comes from ⅓ new French oak barrels. 
3. Etude Chardonnay comes from Napa Valley, California, and is a reasonably priced bottle of Chardonnay. The rich climate and soil make this bottle a true delight. The vineyard is hidden away in the far northwest corner of the Carneros appellation. The soil has origins of volcanic activity which makes this Chardonnay one of the freshest and most favored. 

Some Chardonnay cocktails you should try today!

Raspberry Chardonnay Cocktail - Triple Sec, Chardonnay, Sparkling Water, Fresh Raspberries

Fruit & Cinnamon Sangria for Fall - Nectarine, Chardonnay, Ground Cinnamon, Water, Pear, and Fresh Ginger

Frozen Sangria - Drambuie, triple sec, chardonnay, berries, frozen berries, honey, 10 dashes of bitters, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice, and basil

Chardonnay Al Fresco - Chardonnay, Medium-sized cucumber (unpeeled and sliced), lime, 2 teaspoons of simple syrup, and ice.