Chardonnay continues to rein as the most popular wine varietal in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, perhaps because there are so many different types of Chardonnay available. From the popular new Bella Sera Italian Chardonnay released nationwide this fall, to Chardonnays from California and Australia, the country or region of origin will often dictate the wine¹s taste profile and make for interesting taste comparisons..
A Chardonnay from France is usually made using an “Old-World” style of wine-making. In general, French Chardonnay comes from cooler climates where the grapes have a shorter growing season, resulting in less ripening time on the vine. This will generally bring forth a wine that has less sugar and a more understated fruit character. The Old-World winemaking style is more restrained, with less oak barrel aging, which typically creates a leaner tasting Chardonnay.
Californian and Australian Chardonnays, on the other hand, are often created with a “New-World” style of wine-making. Because of their warmer climates, California and Australia have longer growing seasons, giving the grapes more time to mature. This extra time on the vine allows natural acidity of the grapes to turn to sugar, making the wine sweeter with more tropical fruit flavor. The New-World style involves more winemaker influence and often includes oak barrel aging.
Bella Sera Chardonnay, a new style of Italian Chardonnay, combines ideal climate, quality fruit and the best wine making practices of both the “Old-World” and “New-World.” Bella Sera growers allow some grapes to hang longer in the cool Northern Italian climate to deliver ripe fruit character and additional sugar. Winemaking adds structure, balance, intensity and overall concentration after the grapes are harvested. This new style of winemaking creates a Chardonnay that delights the senses with a deep straw color, medium body, and aromas of golden apple and tropical fruit. It has lightly oaked flavors of ripe apple, tropical fruit and vanilla that culminate in a crisp, pleasant finish, unexpected from an Italian Chardonnay.
When choosing a wine, check the label for the country of origin. Remember wines from “Old-World” countries, such as France, will produce a wine that is higher in acidity, lower in alcohol, with a leaner taste and flavors of green apple and citrus. “New-World” Chardonnays from areas such as California and Australia tend to have lower acidity, higher alcohol, and bright tropical flavors.
Bella Sera Chardonnay combines the best of both worlds and is available in 750ml bottles at a suggested retail price of $7, and 1.5L bottles at a suggested retail price of $12 at wine retailers and in restaurants nationwide.
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