
Chardonnay Wine
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 of Chardonnay wine. 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 Chardonnay 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 wine would likely enjoy this lighter style.
- Chardonnay226
- Sauvignon Blanc30
- Riesling25
- Rhône White Blends20
- Other White Blends16
- Bordeaux White Blends13
- Viognier11
- Other White Wine7
- Godello6
- Pinot Gris/Grigio5
- Torrontes5
- Garganega3
- Gruner Veltliner3
- Marsanne3
- Chenin Blanc2
- Muscat2
- Pinot Blanc2
- Albarino1
- Assyrtiko1
- Friulano1
- Grenache Blanc1
- Roussanne1
- Carricante1
- Fiano1
- Moschofilero1
- Viura1
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Vincent Dauvissat Chablis La Forest Premier Cru 2012Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- V
- BH
- RP
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Marcassin Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Rhys Vineyards Alesia Alder Springs Vineyard Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Mendocino, California
- RP
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Brewer-Clifton Acin Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
- WE
- RP
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Aubert Sugar Shack Estate Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Aubert Lauren Vineyard Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Peter Michael Cuvee Indigene Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Aubert Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Kosta Browne One Sixteen Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
- WW
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Aubert CIX Vineyard Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Aubert Eastside Russian River Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Peter Michael La Carriere Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
- JS
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Peter Michael Belle Cote Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- JS
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Mount Eden Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Santa Cruz Mountains, California
- D
- WS
- WW
- RP
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Peter Michael Mon Plaisir Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Sine Qua Non Pearl Clutcher Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from California
- RP
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Eden Road The Long Road Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Australia
- RP
- WS
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Jean-Paul Droin Chablis Vaillons Premier Cru 2012Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- RP
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Ca' Momi Reserve Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Peter Michael Point Rouge Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Charles Smith Wines Eve Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
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Kistler Vineyards Cuvee Cathleen Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Rochioli Sweetwater Vineyard Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Kendall-Jackson Avant Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from California
- RP
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Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Montee de Tonnerre Premier Cru 2012Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- BH
- RP