Chardonnay
Andrii Savchenko
Chardonnay is one of the world's most popular grapes grown in virtually all parts of the world. The grape's success owes much to its balanced palate that embraces the flavors of the terroir and the talent of the winemaker.
Where is Chardonnay from?
Chardonnay originates from Burgundy and takes its name from the village in southern Burgundy with the same name - the place where the world's oldest Chardonnay vineyards can be found. Nowadays, the grape is grown in virtually every wine region in the world, thereby revealing the diversity of the grape and the variety of the wine styles associated with it.
Interesting story about Chardonnay
Chardonnay's rise in Burgundy is largely attributed to the Queen and the wife of Emperor Charlemagne. She was so fed up with the red wine stains in her husband's white beard that she demanded to cultivate white grapes on their estate (now known as Corton-Charlemagne).
Chardonnay grape characteristics
Chardonnay easily adapts and grows well in merely any type of climate. In colder climates, the wines tend to appear fresh and elegant with citrus and green apple flavors, while in warmer climates they become full-bodied with tropical fruit notes appearing on the nose. Barrel-aged wines will also take on nutty and buttery notes.
Chardonnay Wines
Chardonnay is a key ingredient in a variety of wines: from light and elegant Chablis to fuller-bodied new world Chardonnay, as well as luxurious Champagne! Chablis is usually fresh, with a mineral character and flavors of green apples and stone fruit. In warmer climates, like in California, the wines tend to be fuller-bodied with flavors of pineapple and passion fruit (and if barrel-aged, they also feature buttery and nutty notes). In the production of Champagne, along with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier are also typically blended in. However, when the wine is made as Blanc de Blanc, only Chardonnay is used thereby giving the wines a sharp acidity, with graceful notes of green apples, citrus and almonds.
What to pair with Chardonnay?
Chardonnay is a highly food-friendly wine that can enhance almost any dish. A lighter Chardonnay from say Chablis is perfect for delicate fish or seafood dishes that reflect minerality and acidity of the wine, while a fuller bodied New World Chardonnay is better paired with a fattier fish under cream or butter sauce that highlights the barrel character of the wine.
Where to find the best Chardonnay wines
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Burgundy
Here are some wineries in Burgundy where you can taste the best Chardonnay wines:
California
Here are some wineries in California where you can taste the best Chardonnay wines:
Champagne
Here are some wineries in Champagne where you can taste the best Chardonnay wines:
Frequently Asked Questions about Chardonnay
Yes, you can eat Chardonnay grapes but like all wine grapes (also known as Vitis vinifera), it has thicker skin, bigger seeds and, generally, it is a lot sweeter.
Chardonnay wine grape is a green-skinned grape variety used in the production of wine. It also gives a name to a monovarietal white wine made of it.
Chardonnay wine usually means that wine is made solely from Chardonnay grape.
Chardonnay berries have a distinctive white color.
Chardonnay grape varietal is usually used for making still dry wines and sparkling wines, for example, Champagne. It can be used for production either monovarietal wine or blend.
Chardonnay is widely produced around the world, but some renowned regions include Burgundy in France, Napa Valley and Sonoma in California, Margaret River in Australia, and Casablanca Valley in Chile.
Chardonnay's versatility allows it to pair with a wide array of foods. It complements seafood such as crab, lobster, and scallops, as well as poultry dishes like roasted chicken or turkey. Creamy pastas, risottos, and dishes with buttery sauces also pair nicely with Chardonnay.
Chardonnay can benefit from aging, particularly high-quality examples from renowned regions. Oak-aged Chardonnays can develop complexity and tertiary flavors with several years of bottle aging. However, unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnays are typically enjoyed in their youth to preserve their fresh, vibrant character.
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