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Whether you want to make a single grape varietal wine or a blend, RJS Craft Winemaking kits are made with the finest juices and concentrates to make your favourite wine styles. Use our wine selector to learn more about wines you love and possibly discover new wines that might be your next favourite.
Chardonnay
The Grape
Chardonnay was born in the Burgundy region of France, where it is also referred to as “white burgundy”, and it has gained much acclaim for its elegance. It is one of the most recognized and widely planted white wine grapes, made from green skinned grapes. Chardonnay is a fairly low maintenance vine that adapts really well to a number of different climate types. Around the world, Chardonnay is also used in a wide range of sparkling wines.
The Wines
Describing the flavours of a Chardonnay can be very challenging because they differ based on different winemaking techniques. They boast impressive ranges from the expected butter and oak to fresh fruit flavours of citrus, apple and tropical fruits. While many Chardonnays have high aromatic complexity, others can have smoky, vanilla and spice notes due to barrel fermentation or distinctive buttery aromas due to malolactic fermentation.
The Occasions
Chardonnay has different textures, styles, and levels of sweetness and acidity making it an easy match for any wine and food pairing. Chardonnay is perfect to serve when hosting a formal dinner party when you want to impress your guests. It pairs well with most poultry, seafood or pork dishes.
Different types of winemaking practices can affect the outcome of your wine. The chart below is a guideline for how we describe the profiles of our finished wines. Refer to tasting notes for each wine’s profile.
| OAK | BODY | SWEETNESS |
|---|---|---|
|
U - UNOAKED L - LIGHT M - MEDIUM H - HEAVY |
L - LIGHT M - MEDIUM F - FULL |
D - DRY O - OFF-DRY S - SWEET |
| Weeks | 8 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Light |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
chardonnay Chile Chardonnay
Bursting with hints of pineapple, melon and peach on the palate, with delicate hints of pear on the finish. A perfectly balanced wine with fresh and lively acidity.
Food Pairings
Great with rich pastas or risotto with lobster or mussels.
| Weeks | 6 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
chardonnay Australia Style Chardonnay
A classic style Chardonnay that is clean, crisp and rich in varietal character with fruit flavours abound. It is golden-hued and slightly tart while flavours of vanilla and cloves tantalize the palate.
Food Pairings
Pair with buttery shrimp, poached salmon or cedar planked halibut.
| Weeks | 5 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
chardonnay California Chardonnay Style
Captivating flavours of green apple and tropical fruit enhance an upfront floral bouquet as is expected by the finest California Chardonnays. It will develop to reveal layers of ripe fruit and integrated oak.
Food Pairings
Serve with Bok-choy asparagus frittata or French chicken dijon.
| Weeks | 4 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
chardonnay Chardonnay Style
A medium-bodied wine with a crisp, green apple bouquet and hearty flavour. This is a true classic white wine at its finest.
Food Pairings
Try with lemon garlic tilapia or a spring vegetable salad.
| Weeks | 4 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Light |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
chardonnay Chardonnay Style
A traditional style dry and lightly oaked Chardonnay with pear, apple, herbal and mineral notes and a crisp finish.
Food Pairings
Enjoy with grilled fish, chicken or buttered popcorn.
| Weeks | 4 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
chardonnay Chardonnay Style
A medium-bodied wine with a crisp, green apple bouquet and hearty flavour. This is a true classic white wine at its finest.
Food Pairings
Try with lemon garlic tilapia or a spring vegetable salad.
| Weeks | 4 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
chardonnay Chardonnay Style
A medium-bodied wine with a crisp, green apple bouquet and hearty flavour. This is a true classic white wine at its finest.
Food Pairings
Try with lemon garlic tilapia or a spring vegetable salad.
| Weeks | 4 |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Oak | Medium |
| Body | Medium |
| Labels Included | No |
chardonnay Chardonnay Style
A medium-bodied wine with a crisp, green apple bouquet and hearty flavour. This is a true classic white wine at its finest.
Food Pairings
Try with lemon garlic tilapia or a spring vegetable salad.