Oaked vs Unoaked Chardonnay

Are you an unoaked, oaked, or “Anything but Chardonnay” kind of wine drinker?

Let’s break down the differences between the styles, and give you a peek into the new Cavalli Reserve Chardonnay.

Chardonnay can be lean and crisp, or full-bodied and decadent. It’s the type of grape that can nail any vibe. Let’s break it down.

The Decadent Chardonnay

This style of Chardonnay works fantastic with rich dishes and the most-loved combination; brie and camembert cheese.

It all boils down to the style the winemaker is after. The use of oak barrels for aging, particularly “new” and heavily toasted barrels will impart more of those woody flavours and aromas—think vanilla, coconut, and toasted almond.

The “buttery” flavours develop using a natural chemical process called Malolactic Fermentation that converts tart malic acid (think citrus) into creamy lactic acid (buttered popcorn).

The Unoaked Chardonnay

At the other end of the spectrum is unoaked Chardonnay—wine aged in stainless steel, where the wine never spends time in oak barrels. Steel doesn’t impart flavour to the Chardonnay, so you can taste the grape in all its crisp and mineral glory. Think zesty, fresh, and citrus, with refreshing minerality.

Cavalli Reserve Chardonnay

Something magical happens when you combine the two styles, finding the perfect balance and harmony.

The Reserve Chardonnay shows notes of lime, orange, and nectarine underpinning a unique tropical hint of pineapple and mango. The oak is subtle, showing up as a delicate spice and vanilla, complemented by the tangier taste of lime on the palate.

Some buttery brioche adds to the body and mid-palate of the wine, creating a multi-layered taste that is both complex but fresh and incredibly enjoyable.

Its old-world elegance meets classic Stellenbosch Chardonnay. Chardonnay lovers—get ready, and to you ‘chard-skeptics’ out there, this one deserves a swirl.

Try the best the golden triangle can offer here!