Château 128 Wine Tasting: Discovering Chardonnay

1. Château 128 Wine Tasting SeriesWeek 2 - Chardonnay January 27, 2012

2. Why Chardonnay? • Sixth most planted wine grape in the world, second most planted white wine grape. • Varied taste – dependent on region and winemaking process (MLF & Oak). • Interesting recent history ..

4. Chardonnay = John Stamos • Rise to fame & popularity in the 80’s peaking in the mid/early 90’s. • Popular with young urban women of the ‘Bridget Jones Generation’. • Backlash with ABC (anything but Chardonnay) in the mid to late 90’s.

5. Chardonnay = John Stamos • Preferences began shifting to darker, bolder, red wines.

6. Regions • Like the Pinot Noir grape, Chardonnay is originally from the Burgundy region of France. • Now grown in almost every part of the world where wine is produced, from England to New Zealand, it’s often seen as a rite of passage for new and developing regions. • 2009 Judgment of Montreal (Le Clos Jordanne)

9. 24 CUPS

11. What to expect? • Dry, crisp, full bodied. • Aromas of apples, citrus, grass, melon, oak. • Similar flavours, also including butter, smoke, herbal, pineapple, vanilla. • Reflects Gout de Terroir (flavor of soil) more than others, vineyard site selection critical

12. Food Pairings • Melons/Fruit • Mild Cheddar • Smoked Salmon • Guacamole • Shrimp & Other Seafood

13. Château 128 Wine Tasting SeriesWeek 3 – ???

14. Château 128 Wine Tasting SeriesWeek 3 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Baby!!!

15. Let’s Drink .. er .. Taste!