Written By Treve Ring Drink Academy / Libations Jul 16, 2012 Chardonnay | Vincabulary SHARE VIA: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Chardonnay [shar-dn-AY; shar-doh-NAY]Chardonnay is proof that everything old becomes cool again. After attaining a pinnacle of popularity in the late 1980s, the inevitable backlash spurned the ubiquitous ABC movement – Anything But Chardonnay. Naysayers flogged the overoaked, flabby, mass-produced wines that had been pumped out to meet consumer demand worldwide. The adaptable and hearty grape flourishes easily in most climates and conditions, and is now one of the most widely-planted grape varieties on the globe, planted in more wine regions than any other.The final results are a spectrum of flavours and styles – from sparkling to Chablis severity to Californian opulence to icewine. The Chardonnay grape itself is fairly neutral, owing a great deal of its flavour to vineyard and winemaking decisions. It’s a blank canvas for winemakers to colour and control – too oft, in the past, with overuse of wood. When oak isn’t allowed to overpower, the clean, crisp nature of the grape emerges. Cooler climates preserve this freshness and help balance the alcohol, which is naturally on the higher side. Higher altitude and latitude helps, as does aggressive pruning and canopy management.Clonal selection is key too, as there are dozens of clones, each with pros and cons to be matched to site. When yields are kept low (remember – quality over quantity always), terroir can shine through. Chardonnay especially loves limestone and chalky soils – found in abundance in the grape’s traditional and glorious homeland of Chablis and Burgundy.Don’t believe me that Chardonnay is becoming cool once again? There’s an entire celebration dedicated to it! The second annual International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration takes place July 20-22 in Niagara, and will showcase over 110 cool climate Chardonnays from 55 international and Canadian wineries. Thirty Ontario wineries started the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Association as a not-for-profit group dedicated to reinstating Chardonnay’s dignity. According to organizers, “It’s time for Chardonnay to return to centre stage. It’s time for the re-birth of Cool.” VIBRANTLa Chablisienne ‘La Pierrelée’ 2009 AC Chablis, Burgundy, France $26-29 +359844 12.5% abvAccessible bottle of Chablis from a choice site – La Pierrelée vineyard, hugging the River Serein, on Kimmeridgian clay and limestone. Exotic jasmine and floral musk mingles with crisp Asian pear, leesy minerality and zingy lemon zest. WEIGHTYMeyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, BC $35-38 * 13.5% abvAll the alluring aromas of apple pie – weighty slow baked apple, creamy butter and brioche, toasted cinnamon and nutmeg spice, and lingering honey. Mouthwatering freshness from first sniff to last sip. ELEGANTChampagne Pierre Gimonnet & Fils ‘Cuis 1er Cru’ Blanc de Blancs NV Brut AC Champagne, France $64-75 * +356675 12.5% abvBlanc de Blanc Champagnes are 100% Chardonnay, prized for their focus, austerity and longevity. This elegant Grower’s Champers is crisp green apple, mineral, white flowers and lemon tart, with a clean, pure delivery and lengthy finish. MUSCULAR Domaine Drouhin ‘Arthur’ Chardonnay 2009 Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon $33-37 +231944 14.1% abvI drink this and I think ballet. Graceful acacia blossoms and creamy French perfume overlay a muscular body strung with taut, lively acid. A big, hefty wine in a polished and graceful package. EXPRESSIVEViña Errazuriz ‘Wild Ferment’ Chardonnay 2010 Casablanca, Chile $22-25 +545392 13.5% abvWild, indigenous yeasts contribute to the expressive complexities of this wine. Potent toasty popcorn, sweet Meyer lemon, pear skin and herbal honey swirl kinetically with creamy lees and end with a crisp mineral finish. SAVOURYVasse Felix Chardonnay 2008 Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia $30-34* +324079 12.5% abvHazelnuts dominate – from the toasted nut entrance aromas to the lingering nut shell finish. In between, ripe pear, subtle spice, cream and spiced apple are well knit with the round body and fresh acidity. DRINKing Guide: How to use our purchasing information.*Asterisks denote wines that are only available at the winery or select private liquor stores. Some may be in limited quantities. All other wines are available through BC Liquor Stores – visit www.bcliquorstores.com or download the free BC LiquorStores iPhone App for locations and availability. Prices may vary. ChardonnayVINcabulary SHARE VIA: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Written By: Treve Ring Treve Ring is a wine writer, editor, judge, consultant and certified sommelier, and has been with EAT Magazine for over a decade.\r\n\r\nIn addition to her work with EAT, she is a Wine Critic and National Judge for ... Read More You may also like Cocktails / Drink / Drink Academy / Drink This / Entertaining / Spirits / Victoria July 3, 2019 An Introduction to EAT’s New Columnists It’s all about cocktails, the home bar, what to buy, and what to serve. Founders Kyle and Nate launched their bar consultancy, The Nimble Bar ... Read More Drink Academy February 16, 2015 Drink Academy: Sémillon Through sémillon changes dramatically from youth through twilight, it always carries itself with an air of nobility. With berries of golden rose, ... Read More Drink Academy / Food Pairings December 23, 2014 What to DRINK With: An Italian Christmas Dinner DRINK editor Treve Ring asks local wine experts how they would approach pairing dishes and flavours. For this holiday edition, we’ve tasked them to ... Read More Drink Academy November 19, 2014 Malbec: Argentina’s Superstar Grape {MAL-beck} Though the black, densely flavoured grape is native to the south west of France (you’ll recall it is one of the six players in the ... Read More Drink Academy October 29, 2014 Gewürztraminer: The Distinctively Aromatic Wine Not familiar with gewürztraminer? The name itself quite literally tells you what to expect. Gewürz translates as spice, and refers to the fact that ... Read More Drink Academy August 27, 2014 Peppery, Perfumed and Finessed: Cabernet Franc VINcabulary : Cabernet Franc {cab-er-nay FRAWNK} It’s easy to mistake cabernet franc for cabernet sauvignon lite. On paper, all signs point that ... Read More Comments are closed.
Cocktails / Drink / Drink Academy / Drink This / Entertaining / Spirits / Victoria July 3, 2019 An Introduction to EAT’s New Columnists It’s all about cocktails, the home bar, what to buy, and what to serve. Founders Kyle and Nate launched their bar consultancy, The Nimble Bar ... Read More
Drink Academy February 16, 2015 Drink Academy: Sémillon Through sémillon changes dramatically from youth through twilight, it always carries itself with an air of nobility. With berries of golden rose, ... Read More
Drink Academy / Food Pairings December 23, 2014 What to DRINK With: An Italian Christmas Dinner DRINK editor Treve Ring asks local wine experts how they would approach pairing dishes and flavours. For this holiday edition, we’ve tasked them to ... Read More
Drink Academy November 19, 2014 Malbec: Argentina’s Superstar Grape {MAL-beck} Though the black, densely flavoured grape is native to the south west of France (you’ll recall it is one of the six players in the ... Read More
Drink Academy October 29, 2014 Gewürztraminer: The Distinctively Aromatic Wine Not familiar with gewürztraminer? The name itself quite literally tells you what to expect. Gewürz translates as spice, and refers to the fact that ... Read More
Drink Academy August 27, 2014 Peppery, Perfumed and Finessed: Cabernet Franc VINcabulary : Cabernet Franc {cab-er-nay FRAWNK} It’s easy to mistake cabernet franc for cabernet sauvignon lite. On paper, all signs point that ... Read More
2024 Issue / EAT Magazine News Jan 7, 2024 Fare Well IT WITH WITH PROFOUND sadness and regret that I write this final letter in the final issue of EAT magazine. The decision to cease publication is one ... Read More
2024 Issue / Magazine Jan 7, 2024 January | February 2024 Issue 28-01 The final issue of EAT magazine available ... Read More
Pantry Dec 23, 2013 December’s Cheese of the Month: Vacherin Fribourgeois ‘Tis the season for caroling, Christmas lights and comforting flavours to be shared with close friends and family. It’s a time to celebrate ... Read More