How to Get the Most From Your Chardonnay
December 21, 2009
Chardonnay is one of, if not THE, most famous white grape. It has become so well known that even couples are naming their babies after it. But why has it become so popular over the last decade and how can you get the most from it? Read on to find out more.
Types of Chardonnay
There are several distinct styles of Chardonnay – including oaked and unoaked. This often causes confusion amongst wine drinkers who don’t realise that both types taste completely different. In Chablis, in Northern Burgundy, the wines are mostly unoaked and are clean, crisp and minerally, whilst just down the road in the Cote de Beaune, still in Burgundy, the style is big, buttery, creamy, oaky wines. Both types of Chardonnay can command very high prices but are very different wines. Heavily oaked styles from across the water in Australia and America became a tour de force in the 1980s and flooded the market. They peaked in popularity after people became sick of rich buttery woody wine in favour of more austere styles like Sauvignon. New World makers today produce a variety of styles, ranging from lightly-oaked or non-oaked to rich fat oaky food wines.
A Grape of Many Uses
Chardonnay is probably the most versatile grape on the planet and this has helped lead to its popularity today. It can be moulded into a huge variety of styles and is an absolute gem for even the laziest of winemakers. Chardonnay doesn’t taste of much, being a “neutral” grape, but does what it’s told, so tastes of where it is grown and how it was treated. So whether you like your wine oaked, unoaked, full or light bodied, from the Old Word or New, you are certain to come across a Chardonnay that will be to your liking.
Look for the Value
Chardonnay has its roots in Burgundy and although you’ll come across some very fine tasting wines in this part of the world, you’ll find yourself paying for the label. If you’d rather buy something that tastes similar but without the price tag try looking to the New World, especially Chile, which produces mouth watering, fruity and clean Chardonnay. Alternatively, if you prefer a more tropical, fruity style, try South Africa and New Zealand.
Don’t Forget Champagne
Chardonnay is one of three grapes, along with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, which can be used to make Champagne. So if you fancy splashing out for a special occasion, stock up on bottle or two.
Great With Food
Chardonnay is a great wine to drink with food. If you are looking for something to team with your roast chicken, an oaked Chardonnay will work a treat. The body and oak in the wine is a good match for the creaminess of the chicken. Unoaked and lighter bodied Chardonnays always taste good with fish, chicken salad, or, simply, as an aperitif.
Find Out For Yourself
Chardonnay has received quite a lot of bad press in recent years. Wine drinkers who’ve become fed up with the grape have invented the phrase “Anything But Chardonnay”. But before you write off the grape, spare a moment to get to know it better. Chardonnay is one of the most versatile grapes around and makes everything from everyday drinking wine to some of the world’s most exclusive and prestigious whites.
Louise Truswell
http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/how-to-get-the-most-from-your-chardonnay-715950.html
An Introduction to Wine : Food & Wine Pairing with White Wine
December 21, 2009
How to know which foods go best with different White Wines; learn more about wine in this free instructional video.
Duration : 0:4:12
Wine for health – does it have to be red wine?
December 21, 2009
Is White Wine just as good? If it’s not as good as red, does it have any health benefits at all? (speaking specifically about Blue Nun, since it’s the one I’d prefer)
It has been determined that white wine in the regions where people drink it daily is a source of attacks on nervous system – the average number of paralysis being ab-normal – ( statistics ) White wine can also trigger strong headaches – mainly when combined with red wine or other alkoholic drinks
An Introduction to Wine
December 3, 2009
Wine never fails to make any occasion special. Whether it be a large wedding banquet or a simple dinner for two, the celebratory ambiance is never complete without using the corkscrew to unveil the luscious liquid. Unfortunately, the high esteem for wine distances it to the greater majority who are yet to be converted to its wondrous pleasures. Nevertheless, like most of life’s joys, it is never too late to introduce yourself to the delightful bliss that wine has to offer. It is best to start entering the world of wine by knowing the different kinds. Trying each one would help you to discover the joys they bring. Red Wine Perhaps the most popular types of wine are the reds, thanks to the praises afforded by the medical world due to their heart-protecting, antioxidant properties. Red wines White Wine White wines give the boldest and deepest flavors because of the grape skins which are used in the winemaking process. The longer a wine is in contact with its skin, the redder its color and the bolder its flavor. Common reds are Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz, and Zinfandel. Many find it best to introduce themselves to wine with whites as they give off a more delicate flavor and aroma. White wines are made without the grape skins, producing a milder, sweeter taste. can be made from both white and red grapes, so long as the skin isn’t intact. The most popular wines are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling.
Pink Wines Rose and pink wines have flavors that are somewhere in between whites and reds. Pink wines usually taste tart and fruity. Pink and Rose wines aren’t made from roses, but are made with red wine grapes with very minimal contact to the skins, so their colors aren’t as deep as red wines. Sparkling Wines Bubbly or sparkling wines are opened for the most important celebrations, making them princes or kings of the wine kingdom. Methods of making bubbly are very tedious which is why it is highly valued. The most popular sparkling wine is Champagne, made under the intricate methods done in Champagne, France. Dessert Wines Wines to be taken with dessert usually should be sweeter than the dessert itself. Dessert wines are combined with spirits to raise their alcohol contents and to increase the sugar concentration. The most common types are Port, Madeira, Sherry, and Vermouth. Wine can make any occasion special. Why not make every occasion special by drinking wine regularly? By knowing the kinds of wine, you are sure to enjoy its wonders.
Jerry Shannon http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/an-introduction-to-wine-711590.html
The Different Kind of Wine
December 1, 2009
It is a pleasure to the palate and it teases the senses when you combine fine dining with a glass of good wine. White wine is excellent when you are dining on fish or chicken, while red wine goes perfectly with red meat dishes. You might be confused when it comes to classifying the kinds of wine manufactured by vintners. Wine-makers use the word “varietal” to refer to the type of wine made, as there are many variants to choose from. France and Italy are amoung the leading countries when it comes to exporting wine all over the world. In the United States, you can find great wine producers in California. Wines can be named according to the wine-maker, the vintage – which indicates the year when the grapes were grown – and the place where the wines were made. However, most wine names are derived from the grape they are made from. Here’s a quick look at the general types of wines that you can choose from to suit your taste: 1. Sparkling wine This is more popularly known as champagne. Sparkling wine takes the form of a bubbly clear liquid which is most often used to signify a celebration. They are further divided into different types. There is a type of sparkling wine which is very dry and they are light and a bit sweet when tasted. There are champagnes made from white or red grapes, and they are more popularly known as Blanc de Blancs. 2. Aperitif These are wines drank as an appetizer before the actual meal. Vermouth and dry sherry are a couple of examples of an aperitif. 3. Red wines Red dinner wines are best served with red meat dishes or pasta. Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular red wine brand. 4. Rose dinner wine This is related to the red wine variety and is also known as “blush wine” or pink wine. It has a lighter color and a sweeter flavor than the regular red wine. 5. White wine White wine best complements fish or chicken meal. It brings out the natural aroma of food and further enhances flavor when served chilled. Chablis and Chardonnay are examples of White Wines. 6. Table wine Table wines can be red, white or pink wine which have no more than 14% alcohol content. 7. Dessert wine Sweet sherry is an example of a dessert wine which is mostly of the sweet variety. 8. Cooking wine Cooking wine is not intended for drinking because they contain salt. From all these wine types and more – you get to take your pick of which bottle you would like to take home, sip and enjoy. Jerry Shannon http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/the-different-kind-of-wine-711569.html