An elegant
oak-aged
chardonnay, the 2016 Jordan Russian River Valley Chardonnay is more reminiscent of a crisp, flinty Chablis. It's vibrant and inviting upon release.
Does Chardonnay taste oaky?
The creamy texture and flavor of oaked chardonnay is a result of a natural chemical process called malolactic fermentation that happens when wine is stored in oak barrels. … This gives oaked chardonnay its
distinct buttery qualities
.
How can you tell if Chardonnay is oaked?
When reading tasting notes, look for descriptors such as “crisp,” “refreshing” or “vibrant” to suggest unoaked Chardonnays, while oaked wines might be described with
“toast” or “vanilla
.”
What is a good buttery oaky Chardonnay?
- Eden Road “The Long Road” Chardonnay. …
- Stag's Leap Chardonnay. …
- Au Bon Climat “Los Alamos” Chardonnay. …
- Cakebread Chardonnay. …
- Stuhlmuller Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay. …
- Radio-Coteau “Savoy” Chardonnay. …
- Far Niente Winery Napa Valley Estate Chardonnay.
Can a Chardonnay be buttery and oaky?
Buttery Chardonnay
Oaked Chardonnays are rich, full-bodied and have additional
flavors of vanilla, butter and even caramel from the oak
. A cool climate, buttery Chardonnay will have more citrus flavors versus a warm climate Chardonnay, which will have more tropical fruit flavors.
Is oaked or unoaked Chardonnay better?
If you love a light white wine with floral notes and fruits then unoaked Chardonnay is perfect for you. This style of wine is fermented in stainless steel instead of
oak barrels
, and since it doesnt rely on the oak for taste it has more fresh fruit flavors and less of a toasty vanilla flavor.
Is most Chardonnay oaked or unoaked?
American Chardonnays are almost always oaked
, which is why they're known for that buttery creaminess, and European Chardonnays are steel-aged and tend towards those bright apple and citrus flavors.
What is the most oaky Chardonnay?
- Clendenen Family 2016 Le Bon Climat Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley); $50, 94 points. …
- J. …
- Vasse Felix 2018 Chardonnay (Margaret River); $39, 94 points. …
- Anaba 2017 WestLands Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast); $58, 92 points.
What is a good Chardonnay?
- Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay. 4.5 out of 5 stars. …
- Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay. 4.8 out of 5 stars. …
- J Lohr Chardonnay Riverstone. 4.4 out of 5 stars. …
- Cambria Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard. …
- Kendall Jackson Chardonnay. …
- La Crema Chardonnay Sonoma Coast. …
- River Road Chardonnay Sonoma. …
- Bogle Chardonnay.
How do you drink Chardonnay?
Like all whites, Chardonnay should be served
chilled
. If the wine is too warm, the alcohol tastes hot while the flavors are muddled. Too cold, and the aromas and flavors are muted. The best temperature range is 50–55°F, which can be achieved by two hours in the refrigerator or 30–40 minutes in an ice-water bath.
Is buttery Chardonnay sweet or dry?
Put simply, Chardonnay is typically produced as a
dry white wine
, as opposed to sweet, and is often medium- to full-bodied.
What's the difference between pinot and Chardonnay?
Chardonnay comes from green-skinned grapes, whereas
Pinot Grigio
comes from grayish-blue grapes. Chardonnay is usually a creamy wine with a fresh-cut grass aroma, whereas Pinot Grigio is tart and light. Chardonnay is considered to be a more complex wine, whereas Pinot Grigio is a more simple wine.
What foods go with Chardonnay?
- Seafood with butter and brown-butter sauces.
- Sage-butter chicken.
- Halibut.
- Polenta.
- Chicken, especially baked chicken, fried chicken, grilled chicken, or chicken with a cream sauce.
- Grilled and roasted salmon.
- Grilled seafood of most kinds.
What region is best for Chardonnay?
The world's most revered Chardonnays come from
Burgundy
, the noncontiguous region in eastern France that also produces pricey, prestigious Pinot Noirs known simply as “Burgundy.” Here, Chardonnays go by many names because they're labeled by geography, not by grape.
What causes the buttery taste in Chardonnay?
Malolactic bacteria are usually present in the new wine already, but can also be added by the winemaker. It converts the apple-tasting malic acid in the wine into
lactic acid
. Also present in dairy, lactic acid creates a buttery taste, as in the showy Josh Cellars Chardonnay from California.
Is Chardonnay better than Sauvignon Blanc?
Chardonnay is
richer
and fuller-bodied, with a viscous mouthfeel. Sauvignon Blanc is more light, acidic, and herbaceous. Both Chardonnay and Sauv Blanc are traditionally quite dry, but some Sauvignon Blancs contain residual sugar, making them sweeter. In fact, some are even so sweet they are dessert wines!
