What Makes Chardonnay So Sweet Anyway?

What Makes Chardonnay So Sweet Anyway?

Is Chardonnay Sweet? In short, yes. Chardonnay is a white wine that is made from the green-skinned grape of the same name. It is one of the most popular wines in the world and can be found in dry, semi-sweet, and sweet varieties. In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at what makes chardonnay sweet.

Sugar Levels

The main factor that determines how sweet a chardonnay will be is the amount of sugar that is left in the wine after fermentation. The fermentation process converts the sugar in the grapes into alcohol, and the longer the fermentation process goes on, the less sugar will be left in the wine. That’s why sweeter wines tend to have shorter fermentation times.

Another factor that can affect the sweetness of chardonnay is whether or not it undergoes malolactic fermentation. This is a secondary fermentation process in which bacteria convert the tart-tasting malic acid in wine into softer-tasting lactic acid. Wines that undergo malolactic fermentation often have a creamier texture and a slightly sweeter taste.

So, there you have it!

Now you know what makes chardonnay sweet. Next time you’re enjoying a glass of this delicious wine, you’ll be able to appreciate all of its complexities even more. Cheers!