Within the world of contemporary winemaking, Chardonnay is still considered one of the most popular and revered varieties of wine – being enjoyed by countless people around the world, and winning the praise of consumers and critics alike.
But what exactly is Chardonnay, and what is the alcohol content?
What Is Chardonnay?
While used to describe the wine itself, Chardonnay is actually a variety of green winemaking grapes.
Used within the creation of white wine, Chardonnay originated in the region of Burgundy, France, however in modern times variations of the grapes are cultivated all over the world – including the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Considered something of a ‘rite of passage’, and a relatively easy wine for winemakers to create, Chardonnay nonetheless is revered and loved by both critics and consumers alike – characterized by a crisp, dry taste, with notes of fruitiness.
What Does Chardonnay Actually Taste Like?
The actual taste of Chardonnay depends generally on where the grapes were grown, the climate in which it was produced, and the methods through which it is stored and served.
There are various forms of Chardonnay, including:
- Unoaked Chardonnay – citrus flavors, and green apple
- Oaked Chardonnay – creamy, buttery, with notes of oak and vanilla
- Sparkling Chardonnay – citrus and green apple
- Ice Wine Chardonnay – honey, apricot, and peaches
- Late Harvest Chardonnay – honey, apricot, and tropical fruits
As you can see, while Chardonnay is generally considered to be a dry white wine, it still does not shy away from fruitiness – with many varieties having a distinctly fruity undertone that gives the drink character and flavor.
What Is The Alcohol Content Of Chardonnay?
While there are variations depending on brand and region of growth, Chardonnay generally has an alcohol content of between 13.5% and 15.5%, making it some of the strongest wine on the market (Also check out How Many Carbs In Chardonnay?).
It is certainly stronger than other varieties of white wine – making it a popular and well loved choice for both casual drinkers, and critics alike.
This is particularly astounding when you consider that other white wines, such as Lambrusco and Riesling, tend to sit at around 7-10% abv, making Chardonnay notably stronger in terms of alcohol content.
What Makes It So Strong?
There are numerous factors that affect alcohol content, and the overall strength of the wine in question.
One of the main factors is location – namely the temperature and climate – with warmer locations creating riper fruit, which in turn creates a higher sugar content, which can then be transformed into alcohol via the addition of yeast.
As such, varieties of Chardonnay grown in warmer climates outside of France tend to be stronger – such as those grown in Chile, California, and Australia.
Is Chardonnay The Strongest Wine?
While Chardonnay is indeed a strong variety of wine, and one that is favored for its combination of flavor and alcohol content, it is by no means the strongest wine on the market.
Other notable strong wines include French Muscat, Portuguese Madeira, and Spanish Sherry, all of which have alcoholic contents well above 15% abv.
However, within the pantheon of white wines, Chardonnay does hold one of the highest spots on the list for the perfect marriage of alcoholic content and palatable flavor – something that undoubtedly has something to do with the continued popularity.
Is Chardonnay Calorific?
Generally speaking, Chardonnay is pretty standard when it comes to the calories it contains – possessing around 123 calories per 5 ounces (635 calories per bottle), making it comparable to many other forms of wine on the market.
Final Thoughts
It is true that, within the world of wine, Chardonnay is one of the most popular and widely consumed varieties in the world – offering a crisp and refreshing flavor palette that people really seem to enjoy.
What’s more, it also has a moderately high alcohol content, which might go some way to explain why people enjoy it so much!
So if you’re looking for your new favorite wine, then why not give Chardonnay a try? Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we know a little more about Chardonnay, and the alcoholic content therein, it is now time to answer some frequently asked questions that you might be interested in.
As with most varieties of wine, there are cheaper and more expensive variations. However, official Chardonnay is considered to be one of the world’s most expensive white wines.
Chardonnay is considered a dry white wine – a term that comes from the way that sugar is turned into alcohol via the use of yeast. This gives a fruity yet crisp/bitter flavor, as opposed to it tasting sweet.
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