Wine Tasting-What is Chardenel Wine?

What is a Chardonel Wine?

A friend of mine and I had the pleasure of visiting a local winery, Fireclay Cellars, in Siler City, NC.  One of the wines on their wine menu is Chardonel. Here is how they describe their Chardonel wine.

"Our dry Chardonel produces a seamless balance of golden apple, honey, and lemon flavors. 

Along with a soft refreshing minerality, it has a clean, bright finish."

I went online to get a description of what a Chardonel wine is, and here are a few facts I found.  

Chardonel is pronounced-shar-dun-el

The parents of Chardonel are Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc.  

This wine is described as amber in color, fruity, and full-bodied. 

Here is what Wikipedia has to say about Chardonel wine...

"Chardonel is a late-ripening white wine hybrid grape which can produce a high quality wine with varietal character. It is a result of a cross made by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station of the popular French American hybrid Seyval and the classic vitis vinifera Chardonnay. It is distinguished by its superior wine quality combined with high productivity and cold hardiness superior to its acclaimed parent Chardonnay. The vine is vigorous and productive, producing green grapes with large clusters."


Many of the wineries here in NC carry Chardonel wines, and Fireclay Cellars is one such winery. After doing a wine tasting at Fireclay Cellars, I found that my favorite out of the wines I tasted was the Chardonel wine.  I am headed to an event there this week, and guess what wine I will enjoy?  Yep, that is right, a nice glass of Chardonel.

Happy Travels and Wine Tastings Everyone!

KathieyV