24 May What Foods Does Chardonnay Complement Best?
Chardonnay is one of the most famous wines in the world, and like all wines, it is made using a grape variety that has the same name. As a result of its extreme popularity, this green-skinned grape is grown in high quantities for the production of white wine.
This grape is used to make several sparkling wines like Champagne, which is the world’s favourite celebratory drink. By itself, the fruit has a very neutral flavour. As a result of this, the oak and terroir influence the flavour of the wine. These wines are divided into two categories based on the climate of the region where they are grown:
Types of Chardonnay based on the climate
#1 Cool Climate Chardonnay
Wines that are produced in Chablis, a globally-renowned Burgundy region in France, are usually light to medium-bodied. They are bright, crisp and renowned for their sour notes. Like any popular wine, different brands offer wines of different flavours and aromas. However, apple and pear are the most common flavours. The acidity level of these wines is medium-high and cool climate Chardonnays are famous for their minerality.
#2 Warm Climate Chardonnay
These wines come from the Adelaide Hills located in Australia & Marlborough (New Zealand). The oak influences the flavour of warm climate Chardonnay and the aging process makes it more full-bodied and robust. Unlike Chardonnays that are made in cool climates, these wines are rich. They are much fruiter and full of tropical characters like peach and melon and have medium-low acidity levels.
It is essential to keep in mind that this is a pretty broad classification. While most oaked Chardonnays are produced in warmer areas, it doesn’t necessarily mean that every Chardonnay from these areas is oaked.
Food Pairings That Don’t Work
Chardonnay pairs well with a wide variety of foods. Here we look at some dos and don’ts when it comes to pairing:
Foods that don’t pair well with this wine…
- Indian
- Thai
- Chinese
- Pakistani
The spices and red chilli seasonings in these foods do not go well with most Chardonnay wines. This is mainly because these dishes overwhelm the character of the wine. Only wines that are oaked heavily are an exception. Foods that include turmeric would make a Chardonnay taste bitter and unpleasant.
Food Pairings That Work
- This wine is perfect for Australians and Kiwis as it complements their love for mild-flavoured seafood. However, a truly great combination is with crabs or scallops. Bay scallop chowder is a heavenly match, and crab cakes go well with it too.
- Tarragon-flavoured foods taste best with Chardonnay wines that are unoaked. Pairing this wine with some creamy tarragon chicken is a great choice.
- A simple Margherita pizza with its milkiness and clean finish Chardonnay is a well-loved combination as well.
- Richer tasting dishes like fish cakes, simple salmon preparations, pasta in a creamy sauce, ham or cheese based salads like Caesar Salad or Chicken Salad are some common dishes that go well with Chardonnay wine.
- Some people also prefer to pair their Chardonnay with mild tasting curries or dishes with a buttery sauce.
It’s a good idea to experiment with food pairings to find something that suits your palate and preferences. You can store Chardonnay for two to three years, while the premium wines can easily be cellared for five to seven years. If you are a serious wine collector, it’s important that you have a custom wine cellar for your precious bottles.
To find out about how Signature Cellars can help you design and build a wine storage solution that can help protect your investment and add value to your home, call us on 1300 570 636 or email info@signaturecellars.com.au.
Thanks for reading,
Neil Smallman
Signature Cellars
1300 570 636
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