What Kind of Wine Is Cupcake Chardonnay?
Cupcake Chardonnay is a dry white wine from Monterey County, California. It is barrel-fermented to achieve rich, creamy flavors of tropical and stone fruits, vanilla spice, and a hint of toasted almond. The acidity is bright and refreshing, and the finish is lingering and mellow. Chardonnay is a white grape variety native to Burgundy, France. It is a popular grape variety. After specialized winemaking techniques, it can have a diverse flavor profile depending on the region and if oak is used during the aging process. The oak gives off flavors of butter, vanilla spice, and extra-ripe pineapple.
Chardonnay is one of the noble grape varieties of the Old World and grows best in Chablis, France. The region of Chablis has a cool climate, giving Chardonnay wines a super lean feel and texture. These Chardonnays are light-to-medium-bodied, often showing elements of green apple, pear, melon, peach, and apricot, among others. On the other hand, Chardonnays grown in warm climates, such as the New World region of Napa Valley in California or Australia, display juicy tropical fruit flavors, like mango, banana, passion fruit, and guava.
Cupcake Chardonnay Review
- Winery — Cupcake Vineyards
- Country/Region — United States, California, Central Coast, Monterey County
- Type — Californian Chardonnay
- Aroma — Jasmine, Rose Petals, Apple, Pear, Lemon Peel, Lime, Grapefruit, Smoke
- Grapes — Chardonnay
- Taste — Honeysuckle, Pineapple, Peach, Apricot, Lemon Cream, Bubblegum, Honey, Almond, Vanilla Spice
- Alcohol Content — 14%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Pike, Crab Cakes, Aged Cheddar, Pizza
Cupcake Chardonnay is a gratifying white wine. With a floral nose and a luscious fruity palate, it stands out from the competition. It may not be the most complex Chardonnay of California, but it is bold and with enough structure to guarantee moments of pleasure under sunshine. Cupcake Chardonnay is superb for casual drinking, silky and creamy. Just the way we like it.
Tasting Notes
Cupcake Chardonnay wine opens with floral aromas of jasmine and rose petals and also scents of green and citrus fruits. As the wine flows into the mouth, ripe flavors of pineapple and peach join hints of bubblegum and honey. Furthermore, the brisk acidity offsets the overall ripeness, while the finish has lemon cream and light maple-sugar flavors. What a fulfilling tasting profile for Cupcake Chardonnay!
Appearance
Cupcake Chardonnay is attractive on sight, with a medium lemon-gold hue. The center is semi-opaque, due to the barrel-fermentation, with enough density to indicate boldness. Slowly, the core opens into medium lemon tones on the sides. A few swirls also reveal that the tears of the wine are medium and watery. Cupcake Chardonnay, therefore, looks super pleasing.
Aroma
As soon as the bottle is uncorked, fragrances of jasmine mingle with rose petals emerge, giving off aromatic delicacy. Next, crispy aromas of apple and pear follow as they join citrus fruit scents like grapefruit, lemon peel, and lime. A hint of smoke also emerges, coming from the toastiness of the wine. That offers significant depth to the otherwise youthful nose.
Taste
Cupcake Chardonnay is flavorful with plush tropical and stone fruit flavors on the palate. Pineapple blends with peach and apricot, providing wine enthusiasts with endless lusciousness. On top of that, honeysuckle notes appear as the wine gets warm inside the mouth, while overtones of bubblegum and honey add creaminess. So, Cupcake Chardonnay is intensely fruity with hints of candy and cream.
Finish
The finish is lingering and of great length. Flavors of roasted almonds and vanilla spice are discerned on the tip of the tongue. A lemon cream sensation also surfaces and is incredibly tasty. It combines the citric nature of the wine with the bubblegum notes and sourness of the lime aromas. Just as the glass sets on the table, the brisk acidity refreshes the taste buds and paves the way for another sip.
Rating
Cupcake Chardonnay is a lovely white wine with a distinctive touch of oakiness. And it nicely accompanies the tropical and vanilla spice notes. Further, it offers a balanced and round mouthfeel as well as a refreshing acidity that keeps you craving extra sips. Cupcake Chardonnay is a good beverage, and consequently, I recommend it.
Cupcake Chardonnay Food Pairing
Cupcake Chardonnay is best enjoyed when combined with baked pike. Generally, pike, whitefish, and walleye accompany divinely creamy Chardonnays. The tenderness of the fish blends delightfully with intense citrus flavors and structured white wines. In the same way, crab cakes are juicy and match the luscious body of Cupcake Chardonnay. Furthermore, try to pair the wine with aged Cheddar cheese served on a plateau with dried cranberries, roasted almonds, and walnuts. A pizza also makes a good combination with Cupcake Chardonnay.
And for those who are willing to go the extra mile, they can even try the wine with a… cupcake. I mean, how can Cupcake Chardonnay not pair with cupcakes? Jokes aside, Chardonnays with green fruit and vanilla spice flavors and a creamy finish are absolutely delicious with cupcakes. Thankfully, Cupcake Chardonnay is not an exception to the rule. Try it, and you will not regret it.
Who Makes Cupcake Chardonnay?
Cupcake Chardonnay is a product of Cupcake Vineyards, located in the heart of Livermore, California. The brand launched in 2008 amidst the cupcake craze. Since then, Cupcake Vineyards has increased its growth rapidly, reaching a million sold cases in 2010. At Cupcake, they bottle complex and premium wines that are especially enjoyable when watching your favorite sitcom—on moments of relaxation.
The winemaker at Cupcake Vineyards is Jessica Tomei, who has spent more than fifteen years creating wines through some of the world’s best wine-growing regions. She believes that by producing rich and creamy wines, the best grape expression of each comes out. The parent company of Cupcake Vineyards is the Wine Group, which has pioneering the wine-on-tap category. The Wine Group is a leader in developing and marketing new grape varietals and blends.
How Is Cupcake Chardonnay Made?
Chardonnay wines give fresh fruit aromas and flavors. For this reason, the grapes need careful handling to avoid oxidation and acidification. After harvest, the grapes are destemmed and crushed. Crushing breaks the skins of the grapes and liberates a quantity of juice. But damaging the seeds should be avoided. Otherwise, they release bitter oils and tannin, and the final wine becomes astringent and bitter.
After crushing, pressing follows. Pressing separates the liquid and the solid constituents of grapes. Seeds should remain undamaged once again. Then, that juice is clarified to preserve primary fruit flavor and is divided into two portions. The first goes into steel vessels to undergo cool fermentation, while the second ferments in oak barrels. At this point, Cupcake Chardonnay undergoes malolactic conversation to increase its body and soften its mouthfeel. When fermentation is over, the two portions are blended, filtered from yeasts, and bottled.
Where Is Cupcake Chardonnay Made?
Cupcake Chardonnay is crafted in Monterey, California. Monterey is strongly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean, as it is next to the coast. Chardonnay vineyards, therefore, take advantage of the cold winds that blow in daily to refresh themselves from the excessive heat. There are also vineyards on the slopes surrounding the Salinas Valley within Monterey County. California produces some of the most successful wines in the United States. And it is internationally recognized as the pioneer in the American winemaking industry.
The Mediterranean climate has combinations of warm and cool influences from the Atlantic, enabling the delivery of a vast range of inexpensive and premium wine styles, with concentrated flavors and moderate acidity. A challenge in California, however, is the lack of rain during the ripening season. Water shortages are a concern, and drip irrigation is practiced. The scarcity of autumn rain allows growers to leave the grapes hanging long into the season and thus attain very ripe grapes with concentrated flavors and high sugar levels.
How to Serve Cupcake Chardonnay?
Cupcake Chardonnay must be chilled at fifty to fifty-four degrees Fahrenheit (ten to thirteen degrees Celsius) and served in medium-sized white wine glasses. The reason for this is that the large surface provides the wine with essential aeration. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, the butterscotch nature unearths uplifting wine enthusiasts.
Furthermore, Cupcake Chardonnay has to stay cool during service. To do that, use an ice bucket or wine cooler. The bucket should be filled three-quarters full with equal quantities of ice and water so that iced water surrounds the bottle. The water is then able to transfer the heat from the bottle to melt the ice. Air acts as an insulator, and the bottle chills. Be careful, though, as over-chilling hides flavors in wines.
How Much Does Cupcake Chardonnay Cost?
Cupcake Chardonnay is not expensive. On the contrary, it has an average retail price, and therefore, consumers can purchase it without significant cost considerations. Cupcake Chardonnay price ranges from $9 to $15 or more per 750ml bottle, depending on the vintage and seller. Consequently, wine lovers do not have to pay a premium to get a bold and dynamic white wine. Nearly every consumer can afford Cupcake Chardonnay. And that is great.
How Long Does Cupcake Chardonnay Last?
Chardonnay wines are incredible for bottle aging due to the flavor neutrality of the Chardonnay varietal. On top of that, their creamy body, slight sweetness, and high alcohol concentration also help them mature successfully. And after maturation, aromas and flavors of almond, hazelnut, dried apricot, and marmalade develop, enhancing the wine’s character. To mature Cupcake Chardonnay, seal it with a cork and store it in an environment with room temperatures that do not fluctuate (fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit or ten to fifteen Celsius) and a portion of humidity.
Direct sunlight or artificial light should be kept at bay, as they may cause irreversible damage. Intense exposure to light rearranges the chemical compounds found in wine, like oxygen and temperature, and causes wine faults. That means that the wine ages prematurely, and its aromas, flavors, and even color change for the worse. The resulting wine is known as light-struck. Odors also must be avoided, as they might find their way inside the bottle. If they do, they usually instill unwelcome aromas and flavors, like intense animal sweat or vinegar. Finally, do not let the wine mature over two years. It does not have the necessary structural components to withstand maturation longer.
How Many Calories Does Cupcake Chardonnay Have?
Cupcake Chardonnay makes a fantastic daily wine choice as it has a low caloric density. There are around 22 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, equating to 123 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fats, 7 grams of sodium, 3 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of protein, and 1 gram of total sugars. As a consequence, Cupcake Chardonnay calories constitute this bottling safe for use for consumers on a diet. For those interested in Cupcake Chardonnay alcohol content, it is 14% per 750ml bottle. That is a high alcohol concentration but understandable for a bottle-fermented wine.
Conclusion
Cupcake Chardonnay is a gratifying white wine. With a floral nose and a luscious fruity palate, it stands out from the competition. It may not be the most complex Chardonnay of California, but it is bold and with enough structure to guarantee moments of pleasure under sunshine. Cupcake Chardonnay is superb for casual drinking, silky and creamy. Just the way we like it.
