Hey friends,
I'm a wine noob so I will lack the vocabulary to describe this comparison well. But I tried these two bottles side by side with my mother and we both strongly preferred the French one over the Chalk Hill. For me, the Chalk Hill tasted harsh or sharp while the Riottes was so much smoother, cleaner, and more pleasant to sip. My mother agreed with this take.
I'm trying to understand what might have accounted for this difference. At first I thought maybe it was just the slightly higher alcohol % of the Chalk but after doing some reading I realize it's likely not that. Do you think it has more to do with the acidity, tannins, or balance of the two? Or is there something else going on in the differences of how these two wines are made?
Just trying to gain a better understanding of what my tongue prefers and why. I usually drink Pinot Noir but I've noticed similar sensations while sampling from that realm too. Some are much smoother and more pleasant to me while others feel like they're assaulting my mouth.
by MarxAndSamsara
4 Comments
The chalk hill is more buttery and oaky and the domaines is more citrusy and crisp. That’s probably the distinctions you’re picking up.
I’m also a noob with about 15 months, and starting to do this type of compare/ contrast.
I take notes on what I like/dislike about each, and then try to find tech sheets/harvest notes and read about the terroir, producer, and winemaking techniques. I often can’t get all the info to want but I usually get some.
So whole I don’t have the sophistication of the majority here, as I try the next 2 Chardonnays I have a basis. Say with the second sentence, I like one a lot more, so I can read up on “stuff” to see if there’s similarities in terroir and production.
I have not had either of those particular bottles but have some experience with new world chard vs white burgundy. I suspect the difference is oak treatment.
New works chard, in general, tends to have much more oak character. New oak, etc..
Try an unoaked New World chard and see if you like it better.
I personally, detest new world, butter-bomb Cali Chardonnay.
Or it was just a poorly made CA wine…
Poor oak integration, type of oak, etc
Acidity level