What Kind of Wine Is Barefoot Chardonnay?
Barefoot Chardonnay is a delicious dry white wine from Modesto, California. It has notes of green apples on the nose and touches of sweet peaches on the palate, complemented by hints of honey and vanilla spice. In this way, Barefoot Chardonnay is very palatable. On top of that, the acidity is zippy, driving to a pleasing, for the most part, finish. Chardonnay is considered by wine experts as a signature Old World grape varietal and grows best in Chablis, France.
Chablis has a cool climate and produces Chardonnay wines with a distinctly lean feel, without noticeable creaminess. These Chardonnays are light-to-medium-bodied, often exhibiting notes of green apple, pear, melon, and apricot. On the other hand, Chardonnays cultivated and produced in warm climates, such as the New World region of Napa Valley in California or Australia, present more tropical fruit flavors, like mango, banana, peach, or guavas.
Barefoot Chardonnay Review
- Winery — Barefoot Cellars
- Country/Region — United States, California, Central Coast, Modesto County
- Type — Californian Chardonnay
- Aroma — Honeysuckle, Apple, Pear, Grapefruit, Almond, Vanilla Spice
- Grapes — Chardonnay
- Taste — Pineapple, Peach, Apricot, Cherry, Strawberry, Honey, Brioche Bread, Cinnamon Spice
- Alcohol Content — 13.4%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Poultry, Salmon, Spaghetti Pesto, Risotto, Fresh Salad, Camembert Cheese
Barefoot Chardonnay is silky and pretty straightforward, with peach, tropical fruit, and buttered flavors on the palate. And it is destined to satisfy wine enthusiasts looking for a Chardonnay that celebrates the structural characteristics of its varietal. Overall, it is a great white wine with moderate complexity and refreshing elements.
Tasting Notes
Barefoot Chardonnay has a fulfilling tasting profile. It begins with floral aromas on the nose and continues with green fruit scents. As it flows into the mouth, a riper character unearths of tropical and stone fruit flavors. In addition, hints of honey and spice also appear, contributing depth and creaminess. Finally, the acidity is refreshing, while the finish is lingering but adequate, without impressing.
Appearance
Barefoot Chardonnay has a medium lemon-green color that opens into a semi-opaque core. On the sides, however, there is a deep lemon hue, which is charming. Furthermore, the legs are medium with a bit of density but still manage to attract wine enthusiasts. That is a compelling appearance for Barefoot Chardonnay.
Aroma
Bright aromas of honeysuckle elevate as the glass reaches the nose. Next, green and citrus fruit fragrances take over, as apple and pear join grapefruit tones. Notes of almond and vanilla spice also add a distinct but pleasant nuttiness. In this way, Barefoot Chardonnay has a fresh but bold aromatic bouquet. Certainly, one of the nicest noses of a Californian white.
Taste
Barefoot Chardonnay is savory on the palate. It shows charming pineapple, peach, and apricot flavors that are accompanied by cherry and strawberry notes. On top of that, touches of honey and brioche bread synthesize the Chardonnay character. They also indicate that Barefoot Chardonnay has undergone malolactic conversion, which is always welcoming, giving creamy whites. Thankfully, the medium-to-high acidity is crisp and refreshing. It allows wine fans to keep enjoying Barefoot Chardonnay, despite the slightly overwhelming ripeness.
Finish
Barefoot Chardonnay finishes the tasting profile with a lingering aftertaste. Overtones of peach and pear linger, balancing between freshness and juiciness. Moreover, a touch of oiliness is present, leaving a savory sensation as it hits the back palate. Therefore, Barefoot Chardonnay concludes the wine-drinking experience with a pleasing but not super impressive finish.
Rating
Barefoot Chardonnay is delicate and enjoyable. And it is not heavy in citrus or highly acidic as it has a good balance. The honey and peach flavors also are smooth and silky, providing endless pleasure. The only letdown is the finish, which is just adequate. That said, Barefoot Chardonnay is available at such a competitive price that perhaps I should not ask for more. To sum it up, it is another great example of a fun beverage from the long and multi-awarded Beverage Cellar’s portfolio.
Barefoot Chardonnay Food Pairing
Barefoot Chardonnay complements poultry and oily fish. For example, roast chicken and grilled salmon make fine food pairing choices. Similarly, combine this bottling with spaghetti pesto or a lemony shrimp risotto with wild mushrooms. These are some divine tastes.
And you can serve Barefoot Chardonnay together with salads. A green bean and peach salad that brings out the stone fruit flavors in the Chardonnay makes a solid suggestion. Do not forget to add a bit of Camembert or Edam cheese in the salad for extra savoriness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Barefoot Chardonnay?
Barefoot Chardonnay is a product of Barefoot Cellars, located in Modesto, California. Founded in 1965, when California winemaker Davis Bynum first created Barefoot Bynum Burgundy in his garage. The inspiration behind the name of the winery is the free-spirited method of crushing grapes barefoot.
Twenty years later, in 1986, entrepreneurs Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey renamed the winery Barefoot Cellars and created the iconic footprint label. Barefoot Wine’s casual name made a great impression on wine fans. Jenniffer Wall is the winemaker at Barefoot Cellars. She has received over two thousand medals for her wines and several accolades.
How Is Barefoot Chardonnay Made?
Chardonnay wines exhibit fresh fruit aromas and flavors. For this reason, the grapes need careful handling to avoid oxidation and acidification. After harvest at night, to attain optimum freshness, 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 goes into stainless steel vessels to undergo cool fermentation. In this way, the final wine manages to conserve its natural acidity and obtain a crisp balance. At this point, Barefoot Chardonnay undergoes malolactic conversation to increase its body and soften its mouthfeel. When everything is over, it is filtered from yeasts and bottled.
Where Is Barefoot Chardonnay Made?
Barefoot Chardonnay is produced in Modesto of the Central Valley in California, with its acclaimed wines and ultra-modern wineries. The combinations of warm, bright sun and cooling influences from the Atlantic Ocean characterize the region. And they deliver a diverse range of wine styles.
The Central Valley is renowned for its fertile soil and irrigation. In this way, yield is increased, resulting in the production of thousands of wines every season. Moreover, Central Valley is known for introducing a new winemaking style that challenges the European tradition. In California, the emphasis being on the fruitiness of the wines instead of the structure.
Finally, the Mediterranean climate provides constant summer sunshine that helps the vines to produce grapes with increased flavor concentration. The Atlantic Ocean, on the other hand, with cooling influences and fog, cools the vines from the intense heat. Due to this diversity, California produces an extensive range of wines of varying levels, acknowledged by worldwide wine enthusiasts.
How to Serve Barefoot Chardonnay?
Barefoot Chardonnay must be chilled at fifty to fifty-four degrees Fahrenheit (ten to thirteen degrees Celsius) and served in medium-sized white wine glasses. That happens because the large surface provides the wine with essential aeration. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, Barefoot Chardonnay’s bright and aromas and juicy flavors elevate.
Moreover, Barefoot 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. Remember, though, that over-chilling masks flavors in wines.
How Much Does Barefoot Chardonnay Cost?
Barefoot Chardonnay is everything but expensive. It has an approachable retail price. Barefoot Chardonnay price ranges from $6 to $13 or more per 750ml bottle, depending on the vintage and seller. Therefore, wine fans can obtain this bottling without spending too much. In other words, Barefoot Chardonnay is a great bargain and value-for-money.
How Long Does Barefoot Chardonnay Last?
Chardonnay wines are incredible for bottle aging due to the flavor neutrality of the Chardonnay varietal. In addition, 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 Barefoot 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. Lastly, 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 Barefoot Chardonnay Have?
Barefoot Chardonnay makes a great wine choice for consumers on a diet. 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, 7.3 grams of sodium, 3.2 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of protein, and 1.4 grams of total sugars. As a consequence, Barefoot Chardonnay calories are quite low, constituting it a safe beverage option. Barefoot Chardonnay alcohol content 13,4% per 750ml bottle. That is a usual alcoholic concentration for a juicy California white wine.
Conclusion
Barefoot Chardonnay is silky and pretty straightforward, with peach, tropical fruit, and buttered flavors on the palate. And it is destined to satisfy wine enthusiasts looking for a Chardonnay that celebrates the structural characteristics of its varietal. Overall, it is a great white wine with moderate complexity and refreshing elements.
