About Champagne - Chardonnay Grapes

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a white grape. It has a high acidity and the wines produced using it have a very long life. In Champagne; where it is tended with expert care and reverence, they consider it a king of grapes, and it charges a high premium. When Champagne is made from 100% Chardonnay, the Champagne is labelled Blanc de Blancs (literally: white of whites).

Chardonnay Champagne flavours

While it can have a floral bouquet of acacia and hawthorn; Chardonnay generally produces flavours and aromas of apples, pears, peaches and apricots. Its acidity can impart it with marvellous citrus harmonies ranging from lemon and lime to orange and tangerine. With a flair for the exotic, chardonnay champagnes have the gift of conjuring tropical fruits on the palate. Think pineapple and the sweet tang of kiwi. Taste banana and fresh guava juice. Smell mango and savour the rich mellowness of melon.

Oak and malolactic flavours

Malolactic fermentation produces nuances of butter, cream and nuts. Light oaking enriches vanilla, sweet wood and coconut tones, while heavier oaking develops in to deep rounded flavours of oak, smoke and toast; and can deliver the aromas of yeast and lees.