Grape variety saga: Chardonnay

Chardonnay is part of the Noiriens family. It is thus the natural and direct descendant of Pinot Noir, coupled with another ancient grape variety: Gouais Blanc. Originally from Israel, Chardonnay is today one of the most planted grape varieties in the world. Unlike Pinot Noir, a demanding grape variety that has difficulty acclimatizing outside of Burgundy, Chardonnay adapts easily to its environment.

Chardonnay is recognized by its small, elongated bunches. Its airy and spaced-out grapes take on a magnificent golden color during veraison. The leaves are a deep green and can be full or with 5 slightly marked lobes. Chardonnay is an early grape variety that likes less fertile and calcareous soils.

Overall more vegetal, floral and mineral in the North, and more fruity in the South, this grape variety has the gift of expressing its production terroir. The aromas are typical, complex and intense, and above all incredibly diverse: dried fruits, hazelnut, toasted almond, exotic fruits, butter, fern, lime blossom, pear, popcorn, oat flakes, acacia flower, walnut, biscuit… It is also very quickly marked by the know-how of the men and women of Burgundy which adds to its aromatic complexity. Through vinification and aging techniques acquired over centuries, the winemakers then sign the greatest wines.

Chardonnay is part of the grape varieties of Domaine de l'Aigle and Domaine de Cigalus , it expresses itself wonderfully in the Aigle Royal cuvée but also in our Crémant de Limoux Code Rouge and Ballerine .