What Kind of Wine Is Canyon Road Chardonnay?
Canyon Road Chardonnay is a tasty off-dry white wine from California. It has a real interest value for the array of apple, pineapple, peach, and spice flavors. The touch of oak also adds vanilla and a roasted texture. On top of that, the refreshing acidity provides lift and vividness, while the finish is creamy and savory. Canyon Road Chardonnay wine is a white grape variety native to Burgundy, France. And it is a popular grape varietal. The subtle aromas and flavors of Chardonnay make it the perfect blank canvas for different winemaking techniques.
Consequently, 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. As a signature Old World variety, Chardonnay grows best in Chablis, France. Chablis has a cool climate, giving Chardonnay wines a distinctly lean feel. These Chardonnays are light-to-medium-bodied, often exhibiting notes of green apple, pear, melon, and apricot. On the other hand, Chardonnays grown in warm climates, such as the New World region of Napa Valley in California or Australia, tend to release juicy tropical fruit flavors, like mango, banana, peach, or guava.
Canyon Road Chardonnay Review
- Winery — Canyon Road
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — California Chardonnay
- Aroma — Apple, Pear, Grapefruit, Lemon, Almond, Cinnamon Spice
- Grapes — Chardonnay
- Taste — Pineapple, Mango, Nectarine, Apricot, Caramel, Charred Wood, Hazelnut, Rosemary, Vanilla Spice
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Off-Dry
- Pairing — Seafood, Salmon, Pike, Soft Cheeses
Canyon Road Chardonnay is a crispy white. But at the same time, it also shows a gratifying portion of juiciness and complexity. On top of that, even though it is off-dry, it appears extra sweet at times. But thankfully, the fresh acidity balances that juiciness. Overall, Canyon Road Chardonnay manages to grab consumer attention over the competition, especially when it comes to value-for-money beverages. So, it is a simple, enjoyable daily wine option.
Tasting Notes
The wine has a compelling tasting profile. With fresh aromas of green and citrus fruit, coupled with cinnamon spice aromas, Canyon Road Chardonnay begins with an elegant aromatic bouquet. Then, the rich, complex palate of pineapple, apricot, and oak touches delights as the bright and crisp acidity leads to a lingering, lengthy, and buttery textured finish.
Appearance
Canyon Road Chardonnay has a charming appearance. It starts with a medium lemon-green hue. After a few swirls, the color opens into a semi-opaque center. Then, near the rim, a pale golden tint develops, impressing. The tears of the wine also are medium with some slight density. Overall, Canyon Road Chardonnay is beautiful.
Aroma
Canyon Road Chardonnay shows a wealth of green fruit on the nose. Apple and pear fragrances lead the way, as additional aromas, this time, from grapefruit and lemon, add citrusy overtones. Hints of almond and cinnamon spice also emerge as the wine closes in the nose, providing just the right amount of spiciness and weight. In general, however, Canyon Road Chardonnay has a bright but developing nose.
Taste
Canyon Road Chardonnay has a fulfilling palate. Flavors of pineapple and mango join nectarine and apricot notes. A caramel sensation complements the juicy tastes, while a touch of charred wood represents oakiness. At the same time, hints of hazelnut and vanilla spice blend harmonically with an intense rosemary essence. And to balance the plush mouth, a zippy acidity unearths. It is bright and refreshing, just as you would want it to be. So, Canyon Road Chardonnay has a delicious and structured body.
Finish
Canyon Road Chardonnay has a lengthy and lingering finish. And it is full of cream and butter, giving a juicy texture to the aftertaste. A note of hazelnut is also present, plus a touch of cinnamon spice too. Both offer character and depth. So, there is a lot to love in Canyon Road Chardonnay’s finish. It is very pleasing and delightful.
Rating
Canyon Road Chardonnay is exciting and expressive. It is medium-bodied and manages to maintain its off-drying to a certain level without overwhelming or covering the pineapple and apricot flavors. By tasting it, I did not notice a sensation that seemed unobtrusive or unbalanced. Perhaps, the wine felt a bit too sweet at times, but the lively acidity managed to keep flavors under control. Canyon Road Chardonnay is great and has consistency.
Canyon Road Chardonnay Food Pairing
Canyon Road Chardonnay is a faithful companion to seafood, meaty fish, and soft cheeses. Therefore, to appreciate it, you have to pair it with a mini lobster pot pie or Dungeness crab mac and cheese. In addition, you can opt out for pan-fried salmon or even for a lean fish, such as pike. The smoothness of Canyon Road Chardonnay is prevalent when combined with the above. Lastly, soft cheeses such as Brie cheese or Spanish Garrotxa goat cheese. This bottling brings out the cheeses’ creaminess and coaxes out even more of their buttery, milky, and nutty flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Canyon Road Chardonnay?
Canyon Road Chardonnay is a product of Canyon Road Winery, located in Geyserville, California. Established in 1980, Canyon Road Winery focuses on value wines and predominantly single grape varieties of California. All the Canyon Road wines have a relatively low retail price, and the range includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, White Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Noir. In addition, the fruit is sourced from all over California state. Moreover, Canyon Road Winery is owned by the beverage conglomerate E. & J. Gallo.
How Is Canyon Road Chardonnay Made?
Chardonnay wines have fresh fruit aromas and flavors, with the grapes needing 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. Meanwhile, Canyon Road 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 Canyon Road Chardonnay Made?
Canyon Road Chardonnay is produced in California, with its acclaimed wines and state-of-the-art wineries. The combinations of warm, bright sun and cooling influences from the Atlantic Ocean characterize the region. 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 Canyon Road Chardonnay?
Canyon Road Chardonnay needs chilling to demonstrate its crispy aromas and plush palate. So, consumers have to cool the wine 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 the necessary aeration. In this way, Canyon Road Chardonnay’s savory nature elevates.
Moreover, Canyon Road 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 shadows flavors in wines.
How Much Does Canyon Road Chardonnay Cost?
Canyon Road Chardonnay is a budget-friendly white wine. Consumers can obtain it, therefore, without having to pay a hefty price. Canyon Road Chardonnay price ranges from $6 to $13 per 750ml bottle, depending on the vintage and the distributor. As a consequence, wine enthusiasts can purchase this bottling without significant cost considerations. And I would recommend them to do so, as Canyon Road Chardonnay is delightful on a summer afternoon or together with a seafood course.
How Long Does Canyon Road 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 this bottling’s character. To mature Canyon Road 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.
How Many Calories Does Canyon Road Chardonnay Have?
Canyon Road Chardonnay has a low caloric density. There are almost 24 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, equating to about a total of 120 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fats, 7 grams of sodium, 3 grams of total carbohydrate, 0 grams of protein, and 1 gram of total sugars. Canyon Road Chardonnay calories, consequently, are low and are not a threat to dieticians. Consumers can enjoy this bottling without guilty. Only, they have to be careful about the sodium intake as it appears slightly high. Moreover, Canyon Road Chardonnay alcohol content sits at 13,5% per 750ml bottle, a regular alcohol concentration for a California white.
Conclusion
Canyon Road Chardonnay is a crispy white. But at the same time, it also shows a gratifying portion of juiciness and complexity. On top of that, even though it is off-dry, it appears extra sweet at times. But thankfully, the fresh acidity balances that juiciness. Overall, Canyon Road Chardonnay manages to grab consumer attention over the competition, especially when it comes to value-for-money beverages. So, it is a simple, enjoyable daily wine option.
