
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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Clos du Bois Calcaire Vineyard Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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MacRostie Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Arrowood Sonoma Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WE
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Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
- RP
- WS
- WE
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La Crema Monterey Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Central Coast, California
- WE
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L'Ecole 41 Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
- WE
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Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyards Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- CG
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Beringer Sbragia Limited Release Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Starmont Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Domaine Drouhin Oregon Chardonnay Arthur 2007Chardonnay from Willamette Valley, Oregon
- WE
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Sanford La Rinconada Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Central Coast, California
- WE
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Orogeny Vineyards Chardonnay Green Valley 2007Chardonnay from Green Valley, Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WS
- WE
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Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Matanzas Creek Sonoma County Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Patz & Hall Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Carneros, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Central Coast, California
- WE
- RP
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Starmont Chardonnay (375ML half-bottle) 2007Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Carmel Road Monterey Unoaked Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Central Coast, California
- WE
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Sbragia Gamble Ranch Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Simi Russian River Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from South Africa
- WS
- WE
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Moobuzz Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Marimar Estate Don Miguel Vineyard Dobles Lías Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Baron Herzog Special Reserve Chardonnay (OU Kosher) 2007Chardonnay from California
- WE
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Chehalem INOX Chardonnay 2007Chardonnay from Willamette Valley, Oregon
- WE
- WS