Tasting Profile
Appearance. Pale yellow with green reflections and crystalline clarity.[3]
Nose. Acacia flower leads, with vanilla and citrus touches. The fruit note differs by source: the Pierre Chavin description cites white pear and lemon, while Ôpia's own description cites white peach and a touch of citrus.[2],[3]
Palate. Fresh, with a tangy aromatic freshness, pleasant acidity and a very long finish.[2]
Structure. Structural points stated in the tasting descriptions:[2]
- Acidity: pleasant
- Length: very long finish
Composition & Vinification
Declared Ingredients. Two ingredient accounts differ. The Natural Grocery Store lists the ingredients as an infusion of organic grape seed (39%), organic yeast extract (37%), organic Chardonnay grape juice (22%), citric acid, natural aromas, ascorbic acid, and carbonic gas. A photographed bottle label lists organic grape seed infusion (69%), organic Chardonnay grape juice (30%), and natural flavors.[4],[5]
Organic Grape Seed Infusion. An infusion of organic grape seed appears in both ingredient accounts. It is the largest listed component in each.[5]
Organic Chardonnay Grape Juice. Organic Chardonnay grape juice appears in both ingredient accounts. Ôpia states that the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes used to make ÔPIA are grown in the South of France using organic agriculture.
Organic Yeast Extract. Organic yeast extract is listed in The Natural Grocery Store account; the photographed bottle label does not list it.[4]
Minor Components. Natural aromas (natural flavors) appear in both accounts. The Natural Grocery Store account additionally lists citric acid, ascorbic acid, and carbonic gas.[4]
Provenance & Sourcing
Ingredients Policy. Ôpia Chardonnay is certified organic, including USDA Organic certification, and certified vegan. Ôpia labels it as having no sulphites added, no preservatives, and as pesticides free.[6]
Production Philosophy
Ôpia Chardonnay is an organic, alcohol-free Chardonnay drink made without fermentation. According to Ôpia, it contains no alcohol whatsoever, not even a trace, because it is never fermented.[1],[2]
Method. The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed. The skins then undergo a cold maceration at around 4°C for 8 hours before pressing. This maceration is intended to extract polyphenols, anthocyanins, tannins, resveratrols, minerals and aromatic headnotes. Aromatic complexity is then built by maturing the drink with infusions of organic seeds and French oak.[3]
Service
Shelf Life. Ôpia states that its entire range is pasteurized using natural methods during bottling, without chemical preservatives, giving a storage potential of 5 years.