Super Glossary

Chardonnay

Life Style / Wine Grapes / Chardonnay: (aka Feinburgunder and Morillon in Austria). This variety is the best-known white-wine producer grown in France and known to be one of the recently determined (1999) 16 possible direct descendants of the original ancestral Pinot cepage x Gouais Blanc ancient crossing. Is occasionally misleadingly known as Pinot Chardonnay in the M?con and Chablis regions, an invented synonym name for the benefit of Anglo/American consumers reportedly derived from an earlier period when the variety was mistakenly (?) considered to be a white mutation of Pinot c?page: origin. Other local names in the various regions of France include the aliases Aubaine, Auvernat, Beaunois, Epinette Blanche, Petite Sainte-Marie and Weisser Clevner etc. The Chardonnay vine is widely planted in the Burgundy and Chablis regions. Clone variety numbers commonly used include 76, 95, 124 and 548, plus some others, grafted to suitable calcium/lime tolerant, moderately vigorous rootstocks such as 41B or 161-49C, the latter reported to be disease prone but capable of fine quality growths. There, as in other cool climate regions, the wine made from it is often aged in small oak barrels to produce strong flavors and aromas. Possessing a fruity character (e.g: Apple, lemon, citrus) subsequent barrel-influenced flavors include 'oak', 'vanilla', and malolactic fermentation imparted 'creamy- buttery' components. Hugely successful in many regions of the world due to its mid-season ripening (late September to early October) and versatility. Quite cold-hardy although early to bud and susceptible to bunch rots, yet retains fruit crispness in warmer growing years. Australia and New Zealand have succeeded in producing world-class wines in recent years, from selected clones of this variety, by using cold fermentation methods that result in a desired 'flinty' taste in the dry versions. Currently popular clones in New Zealand include the heavy cropping clone #'s 4 and 5. Others include the 'Mendoza' and #6 for heavy fruit set. Clone #15, a shyer bearer than #6, has produced highly rated wines in most regions. Growers in the Russian River region of California have obtained excellent results from vineyard mixtures of selected 'Hyde', 'Wente' and 'Sees' clones.
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