Did you know that April is Chardonel month in Missouri?! You might be thinking, what is Chardonel? It sounds like Chardonnay, so is it just slightly different from that? Well, sort of. Let’s take a closer look at this special Missouri Wine.
Where did it come from?
Chardonel is a hybrid white grape that is a cross between chardonnay and another hybrid, Seyval, that was developed at Cornell University in New York in 1953. The scientists were working to develop a grape that had a profile for winemaking while adapting to climate struggles encountered throughout the United States, particularly in the colder wine-producing regions of New York and Michigan. The resulting hybrid displayed many of the unique profile notes that wine drinkers liked about Chardonnay while developing hardiness for more difficult climates. This hardiness and recognizable profile have helped the Chardonel varietal gain popularity among growers, particularly in the Midwest, over the last 30 years.
What is it like?
Here at Adam Puchta Winery, our Chardonel is made in a dry style that is reminiscent of a New Zealand chardonnay. A New Zealand chardonnay is characterized by its high citrus/acid and minerality. This type of wine is aged for several months on its lees, or yeast leftover from fermentation, and is stirred regularly to incorporate the character that the yeast exposes to the wine. By fermenting on the lees, a nutty, almost bread-like characteristic is given to the wine. This process also provides a unique fining, or clarification process, for the wine with delightful characteristics. Chardonel exhibits a very crisp acidity that tastes of green apple or unripe pear with a subtle oak influence. This serves as a refreshing dry wine option that is light and easy to drink which makes it a great choice for nearly any occasion.
What pairs well with Chardonel?
Chardonel pairs well with seafood, chicken, and pork, as well as cream sauces, creamy cheeses, apples, and portabella mushrooms. Check out this graphic from Missouri Wines showcasing Chardonel food pairings.
Chardonel Food Pairing Graphic from Missouri Wines
Did you know?
- Chardonel was released for commercial planting by Cornell University in 1990.
- Chardonel can also be used for sparkling wines because of its higher acidity.
- Chardonel was developed in New York but has seen the most success in Missouri, Michigan, and Arkansas.
- Chardonel is also grown in Italy, Spain, and Argentina.
- Adam Puchta Winery’s Chardonel took Double Gold at the 2021 Jefferson Cup International Wine Competition.
