BLUE TISSUE REVEAL
Theme = Chardonnay Party
Chardonnay is one of the most well-known and widely produced white wines in the U.S. and internationally. It can be made into many different styles (oaked, un-oaked, sparkling, etc.)
Its reputation often falls under the “oak bomb” (buttery, rich, creamy) description, and many will judge the variety based on whether or not they prefer that rich style. However, Chardonnay is versatile and isn’t always rich and buttery. Winemakers are doing a lot more Unoaked (or lightly oak-influenced) Chardonnay styles.
Unoaked means that instead of aging the wine in oak barrels, (which impart a richer, rounder, oaky, vanilla, and sometimes buttery flavor) the wine is fermented or aged in stainless steel (or concrete). This allows the true flavors of the grape to shine. It gives the wine more of a crisp and refreshing taste and it’s much lighter than it would be if it were oaked.
Tasting a few different Chardonnay wines from different climates and winemaking styles can give you a better impression of this “chameleon” variety!
The Wines…
1.
1. Roux Pere et Fils Bourgogne 2019
Chardonnay from The Côte-d’Or in Burgundy, France
2.
2. MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2019
Chardonnay from Sonoma in California
