(858) 450-9557

9550 Waples Street, Suite 115
San Diego, California, 92121
360° Tour of WineSellar

  Reservations  Newsletter   Map  Rush Hour Map  Photo Gallery

Your Style of Chardonnay

By Gary Parker, Owner
The WineSellar & Brasserie

June 2016

Chardonnay is one of the worlds most planted and recognizable wine grape varietals on our planet. If Cabernet Sauvignon were to be deemed king of wine grape varietals, Chardonnay would be enthroned as the likely queen.

However, the queen is not without controversy, especially here in California. Seemingly, all wine drinkers have opinions about Chardonnay, some regarding the drink with royal praise, and others as if to behead the scoundrel. More on this later.

The crown event in the life of this Queen Chardonnay came exactly forty years ago, at what was deemed the “Judgment of Paris”. In short, a tasting was held in Paris with competing France’s fine white Burgundy wines against California Chardonnay (and Cabernet Sauvignons). The wines were tasted blind by a prestigious tasting panel, basically all French wine experts in the industry.

To their shock and dismay, a California Chardonnay won first place, and three of the next four places in the Chardonnay flight of the event. This coronation rumbled through the wine community, and many wine producers around the globe were trying to fashion their next noble Chardonnay bottling ASAP.

Here in California, the style back in the mid 1970’s was shaped towards producing a longer-lived, leaner style of the wine. They are meant to age in the bottle, much like the great Chardonnays from France. This type of Chardonnay is still made today, and is termed “Burgundian” in style. The “Burgundian” style Chardonnay have flair, grace, polish and class, and will age well in your wine cellar.

Also in the 1970’s some California producers had the audacity to introduce a stylistic change to Chardonnay. Essentially, the grapes were harvested when they were riper, and then subjected to extended oak barrel aging. These two new wine making procedures combined to make a fuller and sweeter mouth feel, one that was immediately more appealing to the consumer. This type of Chardonnay has been termed “oaky”, and is very popular in the United States to this day. People love it. Think butter, oak, and sweet impressions.

Alternatively, a third style, called “non-oaked” Chardonnay, is produced with no oak aging and not picking the grapes when overripe. The wine produces a more pure Chardonnay flavor profile, one that allows apple, pear, and some touches of lemon and citrus to stand out, making it a great partner for food pairing. It doesn’t have the bravura of the oaky, sweeter style, but it is generally less expensive and more versatile.

What’s your favorite style?

The Annual Chardonnay Shoot-Out tasting held at The WineSellar & Brasserie in June gives you a chance to try the different styles of Chardonnay from different parts of the world.

 

 Fine Dining

Intimate atmosphere, seasonal French menu, fine wines.

Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence 2021 Top 100 Restaurants 2022 Spectrum Award diners choice Best Overall

Lunch Menu Dinner Menu Wine Dinners TCS Bar Menu

 

 

Wine Shop

Why Buy Wine at The WineSellar?

 

  • Selection - Quality & Value
  • Service - Expert & Personal
  • Wine Tastings - Try it, Buy it
  • Wine Lockers - Wine Storage
  • Wine Clubs & Wine Gifts

Wine Shop Wine Tastings Wine Lockers

Shop Our Wines Online Here Gift Cards

Hours

Wine Shop, Brasserie & Casual Side Hours

The Brasserie

Tuesday through Friday*
Lunch: 11:30am-2pm
Tuesday through Saturday
Dinner: 5pm-close

*on the days of our bi-monthly wine dinners, the Brasserie is not open for Lunch.

The Casual Side

Tuesday through Friday
Happy Hour 4pm-7pm

WineSellar Shop Hours

Tuesday through Saturday
10:00am - 8:00pm

WineSellar Locker Hours

Tuesday through Saturday
10:00am - 8:00pm