Pinot Noir Chardonnay : A Snapshot
Pinot Noir Chardonnay is the term the rest of the world, outside Champagne, use to describe a sparkling wine.
With the European Union protecting the rights of wine producing regions, including the region in France known as, Champagne, (and rightly so), sparkling wine is also commonly called a Pinot Chardonnay, based on the fact that a sparkling wine is produced from these two grape varieties.
Don’t be fooled, the quality, texture and taste of a Pinot Chardonnay can be just as alluring and exciting as any Champagne. Most Pinot Chardonnays are produced in the same way as many of the French Champagnes.
Moet and Chandon, the King of Champagnes and the distribution of them, has many a Pinot Chardonnay gem hidden in their portfolio. Some are produced in a fine estate in the prestigious wine growing area of the Yarra Valley of Australia.
Some seriously good ‘Sparklers’ emanate from New Zealand, particularly the north island.
Many attempts over the years to combine various grape varieties have resulted in some fantastic successes and some tragic failures. Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz, in fact, most of the red variety grapes combine well. You don’t see a Sav Blanc Chardonnay around, do you? there is good reason for that. But the mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with the sparkling fermentation process has been a tremendous success.
The Pinot Chardonnay is also available in 375ml and 200ml size bottles for the convenience factor, you know, picnics, BBQs, restaurants. Although it is a sparkling variety, modern technology has allowed it to be as versatile as any of the still wines in packaging and delivery.
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.
Set up a blind tasting of your own one day and see if you and your friends can pick the difference.
