Unoaked Chardonnay Wine
IN THE BOTTLE
Grown in cooler climate areas of Washington state, our Unoaked Chardonnay has zesty acidity and medium body, with flavors of yellow apple, lemon, green apple, and a touch of melon. Crisp, clean, and easy drinking.
CLASSIC FLAVOR PROFILES OF VARIETAL
Chardonnay is a grape that not only expresses terroir (a French term that loosely translates as the flavor of a place), but it also melds well with different winemaking techniques. Aging in oak barrels adds vanilla and baking spice to a wine, but here the choice not to use oak means nothing masks the fresh fruit and crisp acidity of the wine.
VARIETAL FACTS
Chardonnay originated in eastern France in Burgundy, but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand. Chardonnay is neutral in aroma when compared to grapes like Gewürztraminer or Moscato, making Chardonnay an ideal canvas for winemakers. For example, if a winemaker ages their Chardonnay in oak, the grape allows the oak to shine as opposed to having to fight for attention with a more aromatic variety like Moscato. However, sometimes you want subtlety and the choice to go with no oak means you can focus on the quiet beauty of Chardonnay.
HISTORY
Unoaked chardonnay was popularized in Chablis, a region about one hundred miles southeast of Paris in Burgundy, France. The wines from Chablis are traditionally made with stainless steel, concrete, or neutral oak (these are barrels which have been used many times and have given up all their flavor).
DID YOU KNOW?
When Chardonnay became wildly popular in the 1980s and 1990s, Americans gravitated towards examples that were heavily aged in new oak barrels. As time went on, we saw a move away from that style epitomized by the acronym ABC (Anything But Chardonnay). In response, many wineries began producing unoaked Chardonnay.
IF YOU LIKE THIS WINE, TRY:
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Blanc de Blanc
Standard Bottle 750 ml
Please note: An adult signature is required for the final delivery of any wine shipment.
