How do I know if Chardonnay is unoaked?
When reading tasting notes, look for descriptors such as “crisp,” “refreshing” or “vibrant” to suggest unoaked Chardonnays, while oaked wines might be described with “toast” or “vanilla.”
Are all Chardonnay wines oaked?
American Chardonnays are almost always oaked, which is why they’re known for that buttery creaminess, and European Chardonnays are steel-aged and tend towards those bright apple and citrus flavors.
What is unoaked Chardonnay wine?
If you love a light white wine with floral notes and fruits then unoaked Chardonnay is perfect for you. This style of wine is fermented in stainless steel instead of oak barrels, and since it doesnt rely on the oak for taste it has more fresh fruit flavors and less of a toasty vanilla flavor.
Is oaked or unoaked Chardonnay better?
Unoaked Chardonnay goes well with delicate fish, seafood dishes, and really just about anything. But, if you have a heavily oak influenced Chardonnay then you risk overwhelming the delicate flavors found in delicate dishes. Unoaked Chardonnay also pairs well with cheeses, specifically Alpine-style.
What is a good unoaked Chardonnay?
Best Unoaked Chardonnay Under 20
- Toad Hollow Unoaked Chardonnay Francine’s Selection. 4.5 out of 5 stars. …
- La Vuelta Chardonnay Unoaked. …
- A to Z Chardonnay Unoaked. …
- Kim Crawford Chardonnay Unoaked. …
- Dominican Oaks Chardonnay Unoaked. …
- Natura Chardonnay Unoaked. …
- River Road Chardonnay Unoaked. …
- Luc Pirlet Chardonnay Unoaked.
Is Chardonnay a cheap wine?
Much like once-maligned Merlot, Chardonnay was overproduced (and overoaked) for a time — particularly in the 1990s — leading to its notoriety as a cheap, overly oaky, and “uncool” wine. But this dry and versatile white wine is here to stay, and wine lovers aren’t going to let a few sour grapes ruin the whole show.
What do you eat with unoaked Chardonnay?
Chardonnay is going to go well with butter or nutty flavors. When it comes to seafood it will pair well with seafood dishes based on shellfish like crab, lobster, shrimp, and mussels. You’ll also find that it pairs very well with flaky white fish like halibut.