2007-02-06 01:18:53 · 12 answers · asked by Baby Jack born 4/5/09 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make a white varietal wine. It is believed to be named after the village of Chardonnay in the Mâconnais region of France, where Pouilly-Fuissé is currently produced and it is possible that the variety was first bred there. DNA fingerprinting research at the University of California, Davis suggests that Chardonnay has originated as a cross between Pinot and the Croatian Gouais Blanc grape varieties. Gouais Blanc is not popular in its own right and is almost extinct. Chardonnay is also known by the names Aubaine, Beaunois, Melon Blanc, and historically, Pinot Chardonnay. Part of the attraction of Chardonnay, for wine makers and lovers alike, is its versatility. In the U.S., it is often made using full malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity and some oak handling. Without oak, Chardonnay generally produces a soft wine, often with fruity flavors. When aged with oak, Chardonnay can acquire a smokey, vanilla, caramel, and butter aroma. The origin of the oak - either French or American - will affect the final flavor, along with the degree to which any oak barrels were toasted. For budget wines, the oak is added as staves or even chips to stainless steel containers, which is cheaper than oak barrels.
Merlot is a red wine grape that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. Merlot-based wines usually have medium body with hints of berry, plum, and currant. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot an ideal grape to blend with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. This flexibility has helped to make it one of the most popular red wine varietals in the United States.
2007-02-06 01:30:18 · answer #1 · answered by Last Call 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chardonnay Vs Merlot
2016-12-31 03:33:58 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Merlot Vs Chardonnay
2016-10-15 22:28:10 · answer #3 · answered by mckown 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
Whats the difference between Merlot and Chardonnay?
2015-08-07 16:41:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Merlot is a Red, Chardonnay is a White
2007-02-06 01:22:49 · answer #5 · answered by Michael L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Merlot is a red wine, Chardonnay white.
2007-02-06 01:23:53 · answer #6 · answered by Vivagaribaldi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are two different grape varieties and produce different types of wine. Merlot is a red wine and Chardonnay is a nice crispy white.
2007-02-06 01:25:04 · answer #7 · answered by anlarm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While Chardonnay is always white,Merlot is usually red and sometimes rose.
2007-02-06 01:50:24 · answer #8 · answered by Gruya 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Merlot is a black grape, chard a white, for starters. Neither is all that picky about where it's grown, but chard is more forgiving, and there are those who insist merlot must suffer to be great.
2007-02-06 05:18:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where it's made, how it's made, what type of grape is used and as everyone else has already stated, the colour.
2007-02-06 02:50:00 · answer #10 · answered by no name brand canned beans 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋