Wset Level 2 - Chardonnay

Front 1

What climate is Chablis, and how does it affect Chardonnay?

Back 1

Cool; offers green fruit (apple, pear) with citrus and occasional vegetable notes (cucumber)

Front 2

What are moderate climates examples, and how do they affect Chardonnay?

Back 2

Most of Burgundy and some premium New World regions; offer white stone fruit (peach) with citrus notes and hints of melon

Front 3

What are warm climates examples, and how do they affect Chardonnay?

Back 3

Most New World sites; more tropical fruit notes (peach, banana and pineapple, and even mango and fig)

Front 4

Where do dairy (butter, cream) flavors come from?

Back 4

Side-product of malolactic fermentation, which is sometimes used to soften harsh acids

Front 5

What are lees, and their effect?

Back 5

Dead yeast cells left behind after fermentation has finished; adds creamy texture and savory flavors

Front 6

Effect of oak treatment?

Back 6

flavors of toast, vanilla, and coconut

Front 7

Chardonnay wines tend to be _____-bodied, with a _____ texture.

Back 7

full-bodied with a creamy texture

Front 8

Rose plants at the end of vineyard rows give an early warning of _____.

Back 8

mildew

Front 9

Where does Chardonnay find its "highest" expression?

Back 9

Burgundy (Bourgogne; in eastern France)

Front 10

3 main Chardonnay regions in France and their description?

Back 10

1. Chablis - cool climate
2. Cote d'Or - heart of Burgundy, moderate climate; southern half known as Cote de Beaune
3. Maconnais - most southern district

Front 11

Describe Chablis

Back 11

bone-dry wines w/high acidity; quite austere w/ green fruits and citrus notes; special limestone soil gives smoky, flinty, mineral signature

Front 12

What are the most famous Cote d'Or/Cote de Beaune villages?

Back 12

1. Meursault
2. Puligny-Montrachet

Front 13

What are typical flavor profiles of Cote de Beaune wines?

Back 13

Aged in oak and often left in contact with leftover yeast, they become full-bodied, with complex flavors of citrus, white stone and tropical fruit, oak, spice and savory notes.

Front 14

Describe Maconnais Chardonnays.

Back 14

source of large volumes of moderately priced, light, fruity (melon, citrus) Chardonnay w/little or no oak; they're sold as Macon.

Front 15

What region are Pouilly-Fuisse Chardonnays from? Describe them.

Back 15

1. Maconnais
2. full-bodied w/ tropical fruit (pineapple, melon) and oak flavors

Front 16

What are the main regions for premium Chardonnay in Australia?

Back 16

1. cooler parts of Victoria, such as the Yarra Valley
2. Adelaide Hills (SA)
3. Margaret River (WA)

Front 17

What is the classic Australian Chardonnay style?

Back 17

pronounced fruit (fresh citrus and melon) and well-integrated oak flavors; however, unoaked versions are becoming more common

Front 18

What are the main regions for premium Chardonnay in New Zealand?

Back 18

Hawke's Bay and Gisborne on North Island and Marlborough on South Island

Front 19

What are the main regions for premium Chardonnay in California?

Back 19

regions lying between Californian Coastal Range and the Pacific; they may simply be labeled Coastal, or more specifically Russian River, Sonoma or Carneros

Front 20

What are the main regions for premium Chardonnay in Chile?

Back 20

the Casablanca Valley north of Santiago and the Central Valley

Front 21

What is the main region for premium Chardonnay in Argentina?

Back 21

Mendoza

Front 22

What is the main region for premium Chardonnay in South Africa?

Back 22

cooler coastal parts, such as the Walker Bay ward

Front 23

How are large-volume Chardonnays made?

Back 23

fermented, blended, and stored in stainless steel vats until ready for packaging; oak flavors often added in staves or chips

Front 24

The finest Chardonnay still wines are unblended. T/F?

Back 24

True

Front 25

Semillon, Colombard, Chenin Blanc and Viognier are sometimes blended with Chardonnay for the low-price high-volume market. T/F?

Back 25

True