Chardonnay

[sg]

What is it that people hate so much about Chardonnay?
I'm no wine expert and therefore think white wine is all pretty much the same, nice and cold on a hot day and some are stronger than others. All of them seem refreshing to me.
But I have had the wrath of many aimed against me for providing a couple of bottles of Chardonnay towards an evening. It tastes fine to me so what is the big problem?
please let me know
thanks

[Buenchico]

'Yuppies' made Chardonnay popular back in the 1980s. While that association with yuppies is alone enough to bias some people against the grape, the real problem is that (because producers raced to keep up with the sudden demand) many vineyards switched to growing Chardonnay grapes even though their local conditions weren't really suited to the variety or harvested the grapes too early. Consequently, while there are still some really superb Chardonnay wines around, the vast majority either simply tastes like grape juice or lacks the intensity of flavour that you get from a really good chardonnay. (That's likely to occur if the grapes have been harvested too early).

If you're going to buy a (cheapish) 'new world' white wine, a Sauvignon Blanc is a much safer bet. If you're looking for a European white to impress your friends, look for a German Gewürztraminer with the 'QmP' (Qualitatswein mit Pradikat) quality labelling, or an Italian Verdicchio.

Chris

[ummmm]

I just look at the percentage....lol

[NoMercy]

I absolutely love Chardonnay, but Viognier is a much more elegant alternative without the harshness of the aforementioned. An Aussie or Californian viogner is, imo, the best. I live in Spain and can recommend a Rueda Verdejo, but choice of that particular wine is limited in the UK.

[China Doll]

I prefer sauvignon blanc personally or a pinot but I like very dry wines, I find chardonay a bit too sweet but can drink it if I have to... But I don't have to :c)

[NoMercy]

What are you doing here... you should be out getting trolleyed ;-)

[redman41]

Chardonnay is a superb wine but the problem many people have is that they buy the cheapest Supermarket brand that they can find, and when it tastes like Vinegar they think that it is a crap wine.
It is not expensive as I drink it myself. The best Chardonnays come from the likes of California, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Argentina. All these can be purchased at your nearest Morrisons, Asda, Tesco etc for well under £10 per Bottle.
Don't bother with the European ones as there are far better ones on the Market.

[sandyRoe]

I thought it was a WAGS name. It's a wine too, you say?