WineBoard
Grapes - Printable Version

+- WineBoard (https://www.wines.com/wineboard)
+-- Forum: TASTING NOTES & WINE SPECIFIC FORUMS (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-200.html)
+--- Forum: Chardonnay/White Burgundy/Pinot Blanc/Melon (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-21.html)
+--- Thread: Grapes (/thread-5426.html)



- copper - 02-26-2001

What are the basic characteristics of a Chardonnay grape?


- mrdutton - 02-26-2001

The Chardonnay grape is somewhat round, has a color between green and yellow, grows with a stem attached to a large bunch of other similar grapes. The grapes are the fruit of the vine. The leaves are multi-pointed, broad, greeen and are often used for wrapping various stuffings........

Sorry couldn't help myself........ [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]


Other than being a smarty pants, let me tell you I am no great fan of Chardonnay unless it comes from France. Chardonnay from Macon, Chablis, Champagne, Pouilly-Fuisse, Meursault and the Montrachets are quite fine to decent. The best, I believe, comes from Chablis.

It seems that in France the soils render unto the grape the acidity, crispness, fruit and earthier flavors that are lacking in Chardonnay from other regions of the world. On top of all that, winemakers outside of France tend to use a lot of OAK in their production process which, IMHO, ruins the wine.

Sorry you got my reply first. Maybe you'll get a better response from someone else.