Chardonnay

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.