
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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Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from California
- WE
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La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WW
- WS
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
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El Enemigo Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Mendoza, Argentina
- JS
- RP
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Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
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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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Far Niente Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- WS
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Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WW
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Jordan Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WW
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Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Carneros, California
- WE
- WW
- RP
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Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- WW
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Talbott Kali-Hart Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Monterey, Central Coast, California
- V
- WW
- 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
- RP
- BH
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Catena Zapata Adrianna White Bones Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Mendoza, Argentina
- JS
- RP
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Antinori Castello della Sala Cervaro 2018Chardonnay from Umbria, Italy
- RP
- W&S
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Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- RP
- JS
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Trefethen Estate Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California
- D
- WE
- WW
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Parducci Small Lot Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Mendocino, California
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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 Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
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Substance Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
- WW
- RP
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Catena Zapata Adrianna White Stones Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Mendoza, Argentina
- RP
- JS
- D
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diatom Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- JD
- RP
- WE
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Louis Latour Macon-Villages Chameroy 2018Chardonnay from Macon Villages, Maconnais, Burgundy, France
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Reata Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WW
- WS