
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.
- Chardonnay468
- Sauvignon Blanc195
- Riesling72
- Pinot Gris/Grigio56
- Other White Blends51
- Rhône White Blends25
- Chenin Blanc23
- Albarino19
- Gruner Veltliner15
- Other White Wine15
- Muscat14
- Pinot Blanc13
- Bordeaux White Blends10
- Garganega9
- Gewurztraminer8
- Vermentino7
- Viognier7
- Assyrtiko6
- Arneis5
- Godello5
- Semillon5
- Torrontes5
- Verdejo5
- Viura5
- Verdicchio4
- Cortese3
- Greco3
- Picpoul3
- Falanghina2
- Friulano2
- Trebbiano2
- Carricante2
- Fiano2
- Moschofilero2
- Silvaner2
- Aligote1
- Furmint1
- Grenache Blanc1
- Grillo1
- Malvasia1
- Marsanne1
- Melon de Bourgogne1
- Muller Thurgau1
- Vernaccia1
- Arinto1
- Jacquere1
- Xarel-lo1
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Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from California
- WE
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Rombauer Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Carneros, California
- WW
- JS
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La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WW
- WS
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El Enemigo Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Mendoza, Argentina
- JS
- RP
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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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Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
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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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Far Niente Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- WS
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Joseph Drouhin Macon Villages 2019Chardonnay from Macon Villages, Maconnais, Burgundy, France
- WW
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Joseph Drouhin Beaune Clos des Mouches Premier Cru Blanc 2018Chardonnay from Beaune, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- D
- JS
- BH
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AERENA by Blackbird Vineyards Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from North Coast, California
- WW
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Rombauer Chardonnay (375ML half-bottle) 2019Chardonnay from Carneros, California
- JS
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Louis Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Burgundy, France
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Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- WW
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Domaine Drouhin Vaudon Chablis 2019Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- WW
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Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Carneros, California
- WE
- JD
- WW
- RP
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Trefethen Estate Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California
- D
- WE
- WW
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Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WS
- WE
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William Fevre Chablis Champs Royaux 2018Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- WE
- WW
- WS
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Talbott Kali-Hart Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Monterey, Central Coast, California
- V
- WW
- WE
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Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- RP
- JS
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Moniker La Ribera Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Mendocino, California
- WE
- WW
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JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from California
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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