Chardonnay - Chenin Blanc，葡萄-沽酒网

中文名：
英文名：

Chardonnay - Chenin Blanc
种植区域：
香气：
颜色：

Chardonnay – Chenin Blanc blended wines are made from two of France's most well-respected cool-climate varieties. Chardonnay is the grape variety behind the famous white wines of Burgundy and plays an important role in Champagne, and its versatility has seen it creep into vineyards in almost every wine-producing country in the world. Chenin Blanc is less famous, but in its home in the Loire Valley it is responsible for some of the finest sweet wines in the world. Together, the two are found in Cremant de Loire sparkling wines, and in a wide variety of still table wines from the New World.

Both Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc are high in acid, making them an ideal base for sparkling wine. The Cremant de Loire appellation was formally established in 1975 as an alternative to Champagne though, in practice, the blend has been around a lot longer than that. Chenin Blanc is the principal variety in these wines, with Chardonnay used to add some weight (often alongside its Champagne counterpart, Pinot Noir). Cremant de Loire wines show honeyed aromas, backed by creamy, green-apple flavors, often with a hint of hazelnut.

The blend has become a useful tool for winemakers in the new world who wish to add an extra dimension to their varietal Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc wines. This is particularly the case in South Africa, where Chenin Blanc is the most planted variety, and Chardonnay is not far behind. Chenin Blanc-predominant wines benefit from the depth and complexity afforded by the addition of Chardonnay, while Chardonnay-predominant wines are given a lift of acidity from the Chenin. Sometimes malolactic fermentation may be used to smooth out some of the harsher edges in these dry wines.

The blend is also seen in Argentina, where little varietal Chenin Blanc is produced even though the grape variety is widely grown. Examples from the United States and Australia are cropping up, although to a more limited extent. These wines tend to made for early consumption, although the blend has the potential to make fine wines.

Food matches for Chardonnay – Chenin Blanc wines include:

Freshly shucked oysters (sparkling)
Southern fried chicken (sparkling)
Fish fillets with pea and mint risotto (dry)