Valdivieso Chardonnay White Wine - 2012

Chardonnay Smell and/or Flavor Elements

Varietal Aromas/Flavors Processing Bouquets/ Flavors

Stone Fruits: apple, pear, peach, apricot Malolactic: butter, cream, hazelnut

Citric Fruits: lemon, lime, orange, tangerine Oak (light): vanilla, sweet wood, coconut

Tropical Fruits: pineapple, banana, Oak (heavy): oak, smoke, toast, lees, yeast

Floral: acacia, hawthorn

Terroir: flint, mineral, mint

Chile Valdivieso Chardonnay 2012 750ml Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. Nice crystal and shining yellow color with green reflections. Fresh and clean aroma.

Hold your glass up to the light. Color can vary substantially, even within the same varietal.

This White wine appear golden, sometimes with elegant green tints.

Swirl the wine in your glass; it will release a range of delightful aromas. Then take a quick whiff for an initial impression. Finally, smell more deeply and slowly. You might notice flowers or fruit, an earthy scent or an oaky aroma.

Take another sip of wine. Before swallowing, take in a little air. This will activate your senses further. Notice how the wine feels in your mouth. How does the touch affect your tongue and throat as you swallow ?

Chardonnay will pair well with poultry dishes, pork, seafood or recipes that have a heavy cream or butter base. Also consider pairing the fresh flavor profile of an unoaked Chardonnay with guacamole, garlic, salads, grilled shrimp or even curry dishes.

With a long and distinguished following, Chardonnay enjoys a very versatile image, with vintners offering a broad range of styles and structures. From rich, buttery Chardonnays that boast power and presence to the unoaked fruit-forward Chardonnays that allow the varietal character and expression to be in the spotlight, this white wine is capable of accomodating most palates and just as many food pairing combinations.

If you prefer a big buttery Chardonnay then look for ones that have been through malolactic fermentation, as they will yield the compound diacetyl, which makes up the dominant scent of fake butter used in microwave popcorn and imitation butter flavorings used in baked goods.

Chardonnay is an international grape variety that grows well in a number of regions. Keep an eye out for Chardonnay from California, Chile, Australia, Burgundy, and South Africa to get a glimpse of the range of styles and flavors across a wide array of price points.