WINEOPHILE QUESTION:
I DO NOT LIKE CHARDONNAY, WHY?
First things first. always remember your senses are unique to you, your likes and dislikes a reflection of the history of the DNA that builds your genes, creates your senses and they have recorded everything you have done since birth, so its not surprising that not everyone likes EVERYTHING in the world!
We also know common to us items may not seem exotic to others, but if you have never seen, tasted or consumed it, there is usually a little trepidation! This is where I remind you that your brain & senses are there to keep you alive, warn you of DANGER and anything it doesn’t have a record of before… defaults to being less desirable!
WHAT WE DO KNOW:
The WORLD drinks a LOT of Chardonnay! But not every Chardonnay wine is the same and within countries & regions there are variations in terroir, vine, style, winemaking methods, maturation not to mention Mother Nature in any given vintage!
THE FACTS :
Key Variances in Chardonnays:
- Barrel or Stainless Steel maturation = Barrels add tannins and flavor from the wood, Stainless Steel does not.
- Deep rich loamy earth vineyards or hillside & gravelly = Stressed vines grow small berries with concentrated flavors, happy lush vines produce more & larger fruit, higher liquid less flavors
- Wines ready to drink this year or next year and beyond = Wines crafted for immediate sale are not intended to improve much from the time of bottling, others will mature over many years, rounding out youthful acids, tannins & sharpness into a beautiful orchestra of taste.
SO OUR ANSWER IS:
The best method to get to know the full range & diversity of styles is through tasting, remember you dont need to buy bottles & bottles of wines that may disappoint, instead when around wines for tasting, make it a point to try not to pick your regular favorite, but rather dance around the daisies, sample a number of them in small amounts, and anything that doesnt upset you too much TAKE A PICTURE of the label. Then take that pic to your favorite wine shop and we may be able to tell you more about your palate and other labels you may enjoy too!