The Grape Grazers Guide to Pinot Noir Chardonnay
Pinot Noir Chardonnay is the term the rest of the world, outside Champagne, use to describe a sparkling wine. The name Pinot Chardonnay has been derived from the varieties of grapes used in its production, while the old name ‘Champagne’ is now only used by the wines produced from the same name region in France, due to European Union action to protect its name.
Don’t be fooled, the quality, texture and taste of a Pinot Chardonnay can be just as alluring and exciting as any Champagne. Needless to say that most Pinot Chardonnays are produced using the same methods as its French counterparts.
Big name distrbutors Moet and Chandon even list a few hidden Pinot Chardonnay gems in the inventory lists.$$$ With some of these wines even being produced from the Yarra Valley in Australia.
New Zealand has also carved a reputation for producing some great ‘Sparklers’ with many originating from the North Island.
The experimentation with various grape types has lead to some great successes (and failures) Popuilar types of grapes used in these experiments are usually Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz And trust me, there is a great reason you won’t find a Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay on store shelves. But the mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with the sparkling fermentation process has been a tremendous success.
Pinot Chardonnay has proven to be a winner at social outings such as picnics and BBQ’s, which has led them to be sold in 200ml and 375ml bottles. Packaging and delivery of sparking varieties is also easy thanks to the advancements of technology in these areas over the years.
Probably the most exciting point of Pinot Chardonnays is because they are called Pinot Chardonnays and not Champagne they are nowhere near the same price…you win.
See if your friends can taste the difference and set up a blind taste test this weekend – you’ll probably be very surprised!
Follow the link for more information on Pinot Noir Chardonnay.
