What to Pair Your Chardonnay With

3 Recipes for Chardonnay

Seafood

Buttery texture and oak influence complement sweet seafood flavors.

Goat cheese salad

Goat cheese salad

Description :

A goat cheese salad, featuring creamy and tangy goat cheese paired with fresh greens, fruits, and nuts, is a refreshing and flavorful dish. The tanginess of the goat cheese pairs well with crisp, acidic white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc, which enhance the cheese’s distinct flavors without overpowering them. A dry rosé or a light, fruity red like Beaujolais also complements the salad, adding a delicate balance to the creamy cheese and fresh ingredients. This versatile salad is ideal for a light lunch or as a starter, offering a variety of textures and flavors that harmonize beautifully with these wines.

Ingredients :

  • Goat Cheese: 4 ounces, crumbled or in slices
  • Mixed Greens: 4 cups (arugula, spinach, or mesclun)
  • Fruit: 1 apple or pear, thinly sliced; or a handful of dried cranberries 
  • Nuts: 1/4 cup walnuts or almonds, toasted
  • Dressing: 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, salt, and pepper to taste
  • Optional Garnishes: Fresh herbs (such as thyme or basil)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  2. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss the mixed greens with a bit of the dressing to coat lightly. Arrange the sliced fruit and crumbled goat cheese over the greens. Sprinkle the toasted nuts on top.
  3. Serve: Drizzle additional dressing over the salad if desired. Garnish with fresh herbs for added flavor and serve immediately.
  4. Wine Pairing: Pair your goat cheese salad with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a dry rosé to enhance the fresh, tangy flavors of the cheese and fruits. For a red wine option, a light and fruity Beaujolais or a Loire Valley Cabernet Franc offers a pleasant, balanced pairing

Grilled Meats

Grilled Meats

Description :

Chianti’s firm tannins and medium body pair beautifully with grilled meats such as steak, lamb, or pork chops.

More on Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the most popular and widely planted white wine grape varieties in the world. It is highly versatile and can produce a wide range of wine styles, from crisp and mineral-driven to rich and buttery, depending on the climate, terroir, and winemaking techniques.

Appearance:

  • Color: Pale straw to deep golden yellow.
  • Opacity: Clear with medium to high opacity.

Aroma

  • Primary Aromas:Notes of butter, cream, vanilla, and toast from malolactic fermentation and oak aging. In some cases, there might also be hints of nuts (almond, hazelnut).
  • Secondary Aromas: Often includes hints of cocoa, milk chocolate, and coffee.
  • Tertiary Aromas: Honey, caramel, butterscotch, and baked apple, especially in wines that have been aged in oak barrels.

Flavor Profile:

  • Fruit Flavors: Green apple, lemon, and lime in cooler climates to peach, apricot, and melon in moderate climates, and tropical fruits like pineapple and banana in warmer regions.
  • Other Flavors:Green apple, lemon, and lime in cooler climates to peach, apricot, and melon in moderate climates, and tropical fruits like pineapple and banana in warmer regions.
  • Oak Influence: Buttery, creamy notes, minerality (chalk, wet stones), and in some cases, vegetal notes like green bell pepper in unoaked styles.

Structure:

  • Body: Can range from light to full-bodied. Lighter-bodied are often unoaked and crisp, while fuller-bodied versions are typically oak-aged and richer in texture.
  • Tannins:No tannins since it’s a white wine.
  • Acidity: Medium to high. Cool climate Chardonnays generally have higher acidity, while warmer climate styles tend to be rounder with softer acidity.
  • Alcohol: Ranging from 12% to 15%.

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