Every wine enthusiast has drunk a Chardonnay more than once! But do we really know this extraordinary vine/wine?
What is certain is that Chardonnay is among the most widespread white grape varieties in the world. In practice it is cultivated almost everywhere.
According to the ranking drawn up by the OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine) , in 2018, Chardonnay ranked third among the most cultivated white grape varieties worldwide, preceded in first and second place respectively by the Sultanina grape, mostly intended for drying, and by the Airén grape, mainly widespread in Spain.
Chardonnay is cultivated on the planet for approximately 210 thousand hectares and is present in 41 countries compared to the 44 surveyed by the OIV research, thus deserving the title of prince among the so-called International Grape Varieties .
THE ORIGINS
Its origins are unclear, almost shrouded in mystery. According to some scholars it has Middle Eastern ''roots''; according to others it comes from a spontaneous cross between a pre-domesticated vine and a vine from Illyria. However, it spread from Burgundy: precisely, it was originally planted by the Cistercian monks of the Abbey of Pontigny , from where it progressively spread throughout the world from the end of Nineteenth century.
Long confused with Pinot Blanc, the most recent genetic research has shown that it is a cross, which occurred spontaneously perhaps in the Carolingian, between Pinot noir and Gouais blanc , a very vigorous vine of Slavic origin, used to "cut" numerous wines.
Its name derives from Chardonnay , the country of the same name Mâconnais in Burgundy, but according to another theory the origin of this wine should be sought on the hills of Jerusalem; in fact this vine grows very well in clayey soils (like those in Jerusalem) and the word Chardonnay has Jewish origins. The first Crusaders, upon their return from the Middle East, also brought back wine whose original name was Porte de Dieu because it was the translation of the Hebrew name Shahar Adonay , which means "the door of God". The vineyards were all around Jerusalem, the holy city, whose gates all led to the Temple of God.
THE VINE
The Chardonnay it is a vine with high vigor and relatively abundant and constant productivity. Yes suitable, as we have already noticed, for different climates and different types of soil but it expresses itself best in well-drained , clayey and calcareous soils.
It resists drought and low winter temperatures well but, despite its great environmental adaptability , it is not such a simple vine to grow.
Chardonnay is in fact a grape variety early phenology , and is therefore sensitive to spring frosts in excessively cold areas and at the valley bottom. Furthermore, the thin skin of the grapes and the tight bunch make it a vine susceptible to rot: it therefore prefers fresh and ventilated environments.
THE WINE
It is difficult to define unique characteristics of the wines that derive from this vine given its enormous diffusion throughout the world, the environmental and climatic influences as well as the different winemaking and aging processes that generate different products each time.
The alcohol content of Chardonnay wine is usually quite high, thanks to the great ability of the vine to accumulate sugars in the berries.
High alcohol content and important acidity guarantee Chardonnay wine excellent longevity , comparable to Riesling and Pinot Blanc. Not only that: the large acid component makes Chardonnay one perfect base for classic method sparkling wines : just think of the Blanc de Blancs , the famous bubbles produced with only Chardonnay grapes.
The colors in the glass vary greatly depending on the refinement and can in fact go from pale straw yellow in the case of steel to intense and vigorous gold in the case of refinement in wood, with the latter also increasing the softness and the structure in mouth. The aromas and minerality depend on the territorial location and the type of soil on which they grow, with notes of white fruit for wines produced in colder areas and tropical fruit in the case of originating from warmer areas.
In other words, thanks to its great freshness and its adaptability, it always manages to take on all the characteristics of both the territory that hosts it and the refinement that is intended for it, managing to be elegant and refined both after being processed in wood and in steel. or in an amphora.
Chardonnay wine, thanks to its characteristics, goes very well with all fish dishes , both first and second courses, especially if they are elaborate and tasty. A good pairing is also with white meats , cooked on the grill or in the oven, and accompanied by light sauces. Chardonnay is also an excellent aperitif wine , to be served with mature cheeses and jams.
The chardonnay - sushi combination is also excellent.
And if instead we had a blanc de blanc in the glass , it would be at its best with shellfish.
Discover GOCCIA , our 100% Chardonnay wine.
Cheers!!