Food & Wine Pairings: Chardonnay

June 11th, 2008 Amy

With the summer months upon us, many of us will be drinking the warm weather favorite, Chardonnay. Here are some suggestions and tips for enjoying this classic wine and purchasing Chardonnay wine gifts.

First of all, make sure you serve the Chardonnay chilled at around 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit, which is warmer than a refrigerator’s standard temperature. If the wine is too cold, you lose all of its fruity flavors.

Chardonnay is a relatively light wine that is known for having oak, butter, and tropical fruit flavors. It is most commonly paired with chicken and white meats such as turkey, smoked fish, spicy Asian cuisine, and aged cheeses. In general, you will want to avoid tomato-based dishes when drinking Chardonnay. The sharp acidity of the tomato does not mix well with the buttery flavors in the wine. Heavy flavors of steak and game will also overwhelm Chardonnay’s fruit essences and aromas.

One of my favorite summertime Chards is the Gloria Ferrer Carneros Chardonnay. Think ripe mango, pineapple, toast, and spicy pear. It goes well with just about every chicken dish imaginable, as well as on its own. Cheers!

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