How is Chardonnay made?
Chardonnay is a white wine that is made from the Chardonnay grape variety. The process of making Chardonnay is similar to the general process of making wine, but with a few variations depending on the desired style of the wine. The steps for making Chardonnay are:
Harvesting: Chardonnay grapes are harvested by hand or machine, depending on the size of the vineyard. Grapes are picked at their peak ripeness, which varies depending on the grape variety and the desired style of wine.
Crushing and Pressing: The grapes are then crushed to release their juice, which is called "must." The grapes may also be pressed to extract more juice.
Fermentation: The must is then placed into a fermentation vessel, such as stainless steel tanks or oak barrels. Yeast is added to the must, which converts the sugar in the grapes into alcohol. This process can take several weeks to a couple of months depending on the grape variety and the desired style of wine.
Malolactic fermentation: Chardonnay wine is often put through a secondary fermentation process called malolactic fermentation (MLF), which converts the wine's malic acid into lactic acid. This process can soften the acidity of the wine and add a creamy, buttery flavor.
Aging: Once the fermentation is completed, the wine is then aged, usually in oak barrels. The aging process can vary depending on the type of wine and the desired flavor profile. The wine can be aged in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels, depending on the desired style of Chardonnay. Oak aging can give the wine a vanilla, toasty, and buttery flavor. The aging time can vary from a few months to a few years.
Clarification and stabilization: The wine is clarified by removing the solid particles that have formed during fermentation and aging. The wine is also stabilized to prevent further fermentation.
Bottling: Once the wine has been clarified and stabilized, it is then bottled and sealed.
Note that this is a general overview of the process, and different wineries have different methods and techniques to make Chardonnay.
