
Chardonnay
Learn about Chardonnay — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While practically every country in the wine producing world grows it, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. As far as cellar potential, white Burgundy rivals the world’s other age-worthy whites like Riesling or botrytized Semillon. California is Chardonnay’s second most important home, where both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines enjoy great popularity. Oregon, Australia and South America are also significant producers of Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes for Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a dry, white wine. When Chardonnay grapes are planted on cool sites, the resulting wine's flavors tend towards grapefruit, lemon zest, green apple, celery leaf and wet flint, while warmer locations coax out richer, more tropical flavors of melon, peach and pineapple. Oak can add notes of vanilla, coconut and spice, while malolactic fermentation imparts a soft and creamy texture.
Perfect Food Pairings for Chardonnay
Chardonnay is as versatile at the table as it is in the vineyard. The crisp, clean, Chablis-like styles go well with flaky white fish with herbs, scallops, turkey breast and soft cheeses. Richer Chardonnays marry well with lobster, crab, salmon, roasted chicken and creamy sauces.
Sommelier Secrets for Chardonnay
Since the 1980s, big, oaky, buttery Chardonnays from California have enjoyed explosive popularity. More recently, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction, towards a clean, crisp style that rarely utilizes new oak. The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a similar bright and acid-driven style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy this lighter style.
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Rombauer Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Carneros, California
- WW
- JS
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Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from California
- WE
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Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2018Chardonnay from Aloxe-Corton, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- JS
- D
- BH
- RP
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Schug Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- TP
- WW
- JS
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Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Livermore Valley, Central Coast, California
- D
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El Enemigo Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Mendoza, Argentina
- JS
- RP
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Far Niente Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- WS
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
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AERENA by Blackbird Vineyards Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from North Coast, California
- WW
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Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- WE
- WW
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Domaine Drouhin Vaudon Chablis 2019Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- WW
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Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Reserve Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, Central Coast, California
- WW
- D
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La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
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Rombauer Chardonnay (375ML half-bottle) 2019Chardonnay from Carneros, California
- JS
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Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
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J.J. Vincent Pouilly-Fuisse Marie Antoinette 2018Chardonnay from Pouilly-Fuisse, Maconnais, Burgundy, France
- BH
- WW
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Joseph Drouhin Macon Villages 2019Chardonnay from Macon Villages, Maconnais, Burgundy, France
- WW
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Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2018Chardonnay from Puligny-Montrachet, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- V
- RP
- BH
- D
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Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
- JS
- WS
- WW
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Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Chalk Hill, Sonoma County, California
- TP
- WW
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Josh Cellars Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from California
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Dutton-Goldfield Walker Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2015Chardonnay from Green Valley, Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Vanderpump Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WW
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Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WS
- WE
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Ferrari-Carano Tre Terre Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California