The white grape variety Chardonnay has made a permanent place in the world of wine and has a large fan base. Chardonnay is also very popular with Swiss winemakers and is ranked third on the podium among the most planted white grape varieties. Excellent Swiss Chardonnays can be found primarily in the Valais, Lake Geneva and Lake Neuchâtel, and the Bündner Herrschaft.
The grape variety is grown in more than 41 countries, including Uruguay, China, Japan, Mexico, India and Brazil. However, the most common Chardonnay plantations are still in the well-known wine countries USA, France, Australia, Italy and South Africa. While Chardonnay is actually referred to as the same all over the world, the grape variety in Styria is called Morillon.
These are the characteristics of Chardonnay
In the vineyard, Chardonnay is known to bud early and is particularly susceptible to spring frosts in northern wine regions such as Chablis in France. On the other hand, Chardonnay ripens relatively early, which provides some degree of protection from the cold and wet autumn weather.
For example, unlike Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, Chardonnay is one of the less aromatic grape varieties. This gives winemakers more room to use different techniques during wine production. For example, aging in new oak barrels gives wines a fuller body and additional notes of vanilla, cedar and occasional smoke, while Chardonnays aged in steel tanks maintain a leaner body and lack the specified aromas.
Depending on whether Chardonnay is planted in a cold or warm wine region, the flavor profile also changes. Chardonnays from cooler regions like the Bündner Herrschaft smell primarily of citrus and green apple. On the other hand, a Chardonnay from warm California will also bring out the aromas of ripe stone and tropical fruit.
Also suitable for Chardonnay sparkling wines
Especially in colder wine regions such as Champagne, the Chardonnay grape variety has a markedly high acidity, making it ideal for champagne production. By the way, pure Chardonnay champagnes are called Blanc de Blanc. Chardonnay is also used as a sparkling wine variety in many other countries, including Switzerland.