Whats The Difference Between Unoaked And Oaked Chardonnay
Youve probably seen winemakers or brands promote their Chardonnay as oaked or unoaked. A winemaker who wants their Chardonnay to taste crisp and bright often uses stainless steel to ferment and store the wine before bottling. This limits the influence of oxygen and retains the wines fresh character. When a winemaker seeks to create a fuller-bodied wine with secondary flavors of vanilla and spice, they can ferment and age the wine in oak, or ferment in stainless steel and age in oak afterward. Oaked Chardonnay often undergoes partial or full MLF while in barrel, as well as sees contact with the lees . The vanilla and spice flavors, plus round, creamy texture from micro-oxygenation, lees contact, and MLF produce a wine that is the stylistic opposite of unoaked Chardonnay.
Best Sweet White Wine To Try
Let’s talk more about white wines that are actually sweet.Our sweet white wine list includes: Moscato, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling. Very sweet white wines include: Sauternes, ice wine, and late harvest wine.Whats the difference between slightly sweet white wines and dessert wines?Sweet wines like Moscato are still light and crisp, while dessert wines like Sauternes are rich and dense. Think of it like the difference between a soda and hot chocolate. Soda is sweet, but its still light enough to enjoy with a meal. Hot chocolate is rich and very sweet, and you probably drink it for dessert.Moscato and Riesling are two of the most common types of sweet white wine. We recommend these as great starting points if you want to try something new and a little sweet.Heres a list of some of our favorite Moscato and Riesling wines:
What is Moscato wine? Find out all about one of our favorite sweet white wines here. What is Moscato? Learn Why Were Sweet on this White Wine
What Does Dry And Sweet Mean
When describing wine, the dryness refers to the level of residual sugar left after fermentation.
The sweetness in wine comes from the naturally occurring sugar in grapes. During fermentation, the sugar in the grape juice is turned into alcohol.
If there is less than 1% residual sugar left in the wine then it is considered dry. The more residual sugar left in the wine, the sweeter it will be.
Some cheaper brands of Chardonnay will also add sugar to the wine, but this heavily compromises the flavor.
The length of time that the grapes were on the vine before harvest can also affect the sweetness of the wine. Late harvested grapes tend to have a more intense and sweet flavor.
You May Like: Does Organic Wine Have Sulfites
Confusion With Pinot Blanc
Due to some ampelographical similarities, Pinot blanc and Chardonnay were often mistaken for each other and even today share many of the same synonyms. The grape vines, leaves, and clusters look identical at first glance, but some subtle differences are seen. The most visible of these can be observed as the grapes are ripening, with Chardonnay grapes taking on a more golden-green color than Pinot blanc grapes. On closer inspection, the grapevine shows slight differences in the texture and length of the hairs on the vine’s shoot, and the veins of a Chardonnay leaf are “naked” near the petiolar sinus the open area where the leaf connects to the stem is delineated by veins at the edge. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the few other Vitis vinifera grape vines to share this characteristic. This confusion between Pinot blanc and Chardonnay was very pervasive throughout northern Italy, where the two vines grew interspersed in the vineyard and were blended in winemaking. The Italian government did not dispatch researchers to try to distinguish the two vines until 1978. A similar situation occurred in France, with the two vines being commonly confused until the mid-19th century, when ampelographers began combing through the vineyards of Chablis and Burgundy, identifying the true Chardonnay and weeding out the Pinot blanc.
To Wrap Things Up If You Like A Dryer Wine Chardonnay Is Probably Your Best Bet But If You Like Wine That Is Fruitier And A Bit More On The Sweeter Side Give Sauvignon Blanc A Try
If youre interested in learning about Australias white wine drinking habits, you can check out this blog post where we take a deeper dive into our data and what suburbs are drinking what.
Last but not least, for the month of November, we have some great wines on special. Perhaps its time to try something new?
Read Also: How To Get A Red Wine Stain Out
How Is Sweet Chardonnay Made
Wine making is a highly involved and complex process, involving numerous factors and processes that create the unique flavor of each wine, and this is no different for Chardonnay. How it is harvested, aged, and mixed all impact the qualities of the final product, creating either sweet or dry Chardonnay. The key thing to remember is in winemaking sweet and dry are technical terms that refer to the amount of residual sugar left in the wine after fermentation. Most still wines, will have little to no sugar remaining. Occasionally a winemaker will choose to leave sugar in the wine. This could be for a variety of reasons. Botrytis can raisin the grapes driving sugar levels way up. In years where this happens the yeast might not be able to eat all the sugar. A wine might be lacking in fruit characteristic, so sugar will help to intensify the fruit notes. Or a winemaker may simply want to make a dessert wine. Chardonnay is not a famous grape for dessert wines but there are lots of versions out there.
The easiest, cheapest, and often least pleasing way of creating sweet Chardonnay is to simply add more sugar to the wine. Directly adding sugar, usually processed artificial sugar, does create a sweeter flavor, but this blunt method often creates a flavor more like medicine than proper wine. This process, called chapatilization, is also illegal in some places like California
Charles Krug Winery Carneros Chardonnay 2019
From Carneros the southernmost tip of the Napa Valley this wine celebrates the vibrant, fruity side of Chardonnay. Citrus and tropical aromas define its nose and set up a clean and lean palate. A slight salinity and textural grip bring an enjoyable and unexpected dose of complexity, especially given the price. Average price: $21. Rating: 88.
Don’t Miss: Where To Buy Ancient Peaks Wine
Guide To Sweet Wines For Those Who Dont Like Sweet Wine
McKenzie Hagan | September 16, 2020
When you hear the phrase “sweet wine,” you might immediately think of a candy-like liquid that runs across your tongue and coats the roof of your mouth with a sugary film. But that’s not the fairest assessment of these delicious libations. Sweet wines can offer a host of different flavors, fragrances, and finishes.
Granted, many of today’s most celebrated wines tend to be on the drier side. But there’s no reason to only sip dry wines and leave sweet wines off the table. In fact, the oldest official wine region in the world Douro, Portugal is renowned for its Port wine, a sweet fortified wine.
Whether you’re a new wine drinker or fancy yourself a sophisticated oenophile, join us as we delve into the dulcet realm of sweet wines, including how they’re made, what makes them different than other types of wines, and which foods pair best with these luscious liquids.
Different Flavors Of Chardonnay
As mentioned above, the sweet Chardonnay is usually characterized by its honey-like flavors. Youll usually taste apple, pear, or perhaps more exotic flavors such as apricot, mango, or even tropical flavors like coconut or pineapple. The semi-dry style is also a sweet wine, but it has a more balanced flavor somewhere between the dry and sweet styles. The semi-dry style of Chardonnay is characterized by a mild sweetness, with flavors of tropical fruits, citrus, or even some melon.
some melon.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Red Wine Stains
What Is Dry Wine
Unlike the sweet red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties, the dry white wines are not usually high in sugar content. The sugar content of dry white wines is shallow, usually around 12 grams per liter. The only difference between adry white wine and a sweet white is the type of yeast used during the fermentation process. The best way to spot an excellent dry white wine is its yellowish-green color.
The flavor of a dry Chardonnay varies depending on the region from which it comes. More spicy or grassy flavors often replace the sweet flavors. It however tastes better when served chilled. Now that you know a little more about dry and sweet Chardonnay, its time we look at the different styles of Chardonnay and how you can spot the difference.
Differentiating Between Dry And Sweet Wine
It can be tricky to tell whether a wine has a lot of residual sugar content, as your brain can deceive you. Your brain links fruit aromas with a sweet sensation, so you may mislabel a wine as sweet when it is truly dry because of its fragrance. Other factors, like acidity and level of tannins, will also impact your senses, which means some wines with higher sugar content seem dryer than those with lower sugar levels.
Many grapes can be found in both dry and sweet wine, like Riesling, Furmint, or Gewurztraminer. To determine if your wine is sweet or dry, youll want to check the grapes characteristics, the winemaking process, and the vineyards location. Old world wines are usually drier than those from the new world.
It may seem fairly simple to determine when a wine is sweet or dry, but many different factors can trick you into making the wrong assessment. By using our guide, youll have an easier time picking out sweet and dry wines to add to your cellar.
If youre looking for the best vintage champagne, look no further than Cru Wine. We are a wine company in London offering fine wine with a modern approach. Sign up for our mailing list today to receive exclusive access to the worlds greatest, most delicious wines and whiskies.
You May Like: Where Can I Order Wine Online
How To Find The Perfect Chardonnay Wine For You
With over 25% of Americans enjoying Chardonnay on a regular basis, you know the varietal is doing something right. So now you just have to find the right bottle for YOU. One bottle of Chardonnay is incredibly different from the next, which can make it intimidating to find a bottle you like. But it also means that once you understand your preferences, you will absolutely be able to find a Chardonnay wine that suits them. If you are hoping your Chardonnay is sweet, you might want to try an oaked, warm climate or late harvest Chardonnay wine. If you want a distinctly dry and acidic Chardonnay, you can try a cool climate, unoaked variety.Or, you might like to try an artfully balanced Chardonnay like the Chardonnay wine from Halleck Vineyard. Our Chardonnay tips its hat to Old World styles from Chablis, France. It has none of the heavy butteriness that you would expect from an oaked wine it has been oaked just long enough to round out the mouthfeel. Our Chardonnay has spent most of its time in stainless steel. Therefore, it has crisp acidity, ample minerality, and a hint of salinity on the back of the palate. With a delicate nose of green apple and white flowers, and a taste of tart citrus, apple and pear, this Chardonnay is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
What Are The Flavors In Chardonnay
Primary: Chardonnays flavors swing from lemon zest and chalky minerality to baked apple and tropical fruits like pineapple. There are two reasons for this wide range in flavors: climate and harvest date. The cooler the climate, the more citrus notes become apparent in the grapes. The same applies to grapes that are harvested earlier. In warmer climates and later harvests, grapes develop more sugar and lose some acidity. Its flavors develop into riper, richer fruits. These are called primary flavors, because they derive directly from the grape.
You May Like: Which Wine Has Less Sugar
Is Chardonnay Dry Compared To Sauvignon Blanc
Much like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc is a popular white wine that is almost always done in the dry style. Even if you have both vinos with the same amount of residual sugar, they’ll taste different. For the most part, Sauvignon Blanc has higher acidity, which tends to make wine taste less sweet. It also has a crisper, more herbaceous “green” flavor than most Chardonnays, even if it’s unoaked.
What Do You Eat With Chardonnay
If youve bagged the perfect bottle of Chardonnay wine and cant wait to crack it open, but want to pair it with some food to amp up the flavours even more, weve got your back. Were often asked, what does Chardonnay pair well with?, so weve come up with a whole host of great options. Weve even written an entire post dedicated to the ultimate food and wine pairings.
But lets not get sidetracked. Chardonnay white wine is light and easy drinking, so its a perfect match for fish. Think plates featuring fresh white fish, scallops, prawns, or crab. Chardonnay is also perfect for special occasions or simple treat yoself vibes when teamed up with oysters. If youre a pasta lover, try a crisp glass of Chardonnay with creamy dishes like spaghetti carbonara our guide to pairing wine with pasta has all the details. But can you use Chardonnay for cooking? Uh, yeah! Try it in a creamy pasta sauce to give it a bit of pzazz. For something even more indulgent, this fresh-take on mac n cheese is just the ticket when washed down with a glass of Chardonnay.
You didnt think wed forgotten about the sweet stuff, did you? Chardonnay is a match made in heaven for white chocolate the vanilla aromas and fruity nature of Chardonnay mean it blends perfectly with the sweet, smooth flavours of white chocolate. You can find out which wines pair with your favourite chocolates here.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Get Red Wine Out Of Carpet
Unoaked Chardonnay Tasting Notes
The unoaked Chardonnay taste is quite different from that of its buttery sister. Unoaked Chardonnay has been aged or fermented in stainless steel tanks instead of oak barrels. This blocks the malolactic fermentation process and creates a drier, more acidic taste. This style of Chardonnay is popular in cool climates like the Willamette Valley, Western Australia, Chablis, France, and Casa Blanca Valley, Chile. Chardonnay that is unoaked will often taste more of citrus fruits like lime, lemon, or grapefruit, as well as tart green apple. It is distinctly bright and fruity more akin to a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. When comparing unoaked Chardonnay vs Sauvignon Blanc, the latter still has higher acidity and more herbaceous flavors, so it might appear more dry than the Chardonnay. So does that mean even unoaked Chardonnay is sweet? Lets take a look at where Chardonnay falls on the wine sweetness scale.
What Is Chardonnay A Barefoot Guide
Chardonnay is a super versatile, medium-bodied white wine, made using a green-skinned grape variety. Its one of the most popular wines in the world, but if youre new to this grape, well hedge our bets that questions like, What does Chardonnay taste like?, Is Chardonnay dry?, and Is Chardonnay sweet? are gonna be the first few on your lips. And while wed love to hand you a cold, crisp glass of the good stuff through the screen so you can taste our Chardonnay for yourself, this blog post is the next best thing! Read on for all you need to know
Don’t Miss: How To Make Sparkling Wine
Useful Tip: How To Tell If A Wine Is Dry Or Sweet Just By Looking At The Label
Finally, the best way to determine how dry a white wine is, take a look at the label. White wine dryness is in direct correlation with alcohol level. Wines with lower alcohol tend to be sweeter. So when youre out shopping for wine, flip the wine bottle over and find the ABV. Wines that are under 10% alcohol will likely be sweet. From 10-12%ABV, the wines will be off-dry, and over 12% they should be quite dry. Based on what youve learned above, you know that there is less residual sugar when there is more alcohol. Wine brands are pretty good about letting you know if the wine is sweet or dry on their labeling, but alcohol content is an extra tip if youre debating between two different wines and are looking for the dryer one.
Need help shopping for dry white wine? This cheat sheet will tell you all the dry white wine types.
Difference Between A Dry Wine And Wine That Dries Out Our Mouths
Wines that are dry lack sweetness. Wines that dry out our mouths have tannins. Tannins act like an astringent and suck the saliva out of our cheeks. The wine jargon is very confusing because in reality dry is the opposite of wet, not the opposite of sweet. Most white wines do not have tannins, so its safe to assume the wine is dry and not drying.
You May Like: How Do You Get Wine Out Of Carpet
Domaine Skouras Almyra Chardonnay 2020
Greece has gifted the world some exceptional native white varieties but this Chardonnay from Domaine Skouras deserves a slight detour from that path. Clean and focused, its fruit character spans citrus pith, pink grapefruit, and underripe white peaches. Those notes arrive concentrated on the palate, with a refreshing spray of citrus providing a zesty crescendo. Average price: $20. Rating: 90.
