
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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Aubert Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WS
- RP
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Peter Michael Belle Cote Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Sawbuck Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from North Coast, California
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Jordan Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
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Peter Michael Ma Belle Fille Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Cakebread Reserve Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Central Coast, California
- WS
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Aubert Reuling Vineyard Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Carneros, California
- CG
- RP
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Sea Smoke Cellars Gratis Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
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Trevor Jones Virgin Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Australia
- RP
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Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Chalk Hill, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Kongsgaard The Judge Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Hartford Court Four Hearts Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Heggies Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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MacRostie Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Los Vascos Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Chile
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BV Century Cellars Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from California
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Hanzell Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- W&S
- WS
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Aubert Lauren Vineyard Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
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R Wines Pure Evil Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Australia
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A to Z Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Oregon
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Elsa Bianchi Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Argentina
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Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- CG