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 Chardonnay Wine

Chardonnay is the world’s most famous white wine grape and is behind the finest white Burgundies. It is also one of the most widely planted varieties, although it is generally acknowledged that the best expressions of the grape are found in France, the USA and Australia.

There are myriad descriptors for the aromas and flavors of Chardonnay. Common aromas range from butter and toast through to tropical notes of banana, pineapple and guava. It is also often described as having mineral properties, such as crushed seashells or metal. Its flavor profiles are equally diverse and include grilled nuts, creamy apples, peach, marzipan, mango and even wet stones.

Chardonnay
Chardonnay Leaf and Grapes

In Canada, Chardonnay is produced as a dry white wine, but also as a viscous and sweet icewine. Certain regions of Australia and New Zealand are noted for the butterscotch and golden syrup flavors of their botrytis Chardonnays.

While Chardonnay has its own intrinsic flavors, it is perhaps more appreciated as a vehicle for other influences, particularly the oak in which it is fermented or matured. Chardonnay that has been both fermented and matured in barrels, particularly when left on its lees, tends to show more finesse and more aromatic integration. It is also likely to have greater stability and therefore better ageing potential, making such wines suitable for cellaring and as an investment.

Chardonnay sold without the influence of oak is often specifically labelled as 'unoaked/unwooded Chardonnay', which indicates just how common the oaked style is. The obvious exception to this is the steely, zingy, mineral-fresh Chablis. But even Chablis is increasingly being made with an oak influence, as demand for the toasted brioche flavor increases.

There is huge variation between the different types of Chardonnay produced. Those from the cooler climates of Chablis and the lower Loire Valley tend to be elegant and refined, and are often associated with aromas of grilled nuts and a mineral palate. The  ‘blockbuster’ Chardonnays from the warm vineyards of California and Australia, however, are high in alcohol, body and flavor – usually with aromas of tropical fruit and sweet vanilla. The grape is also used for sparkling wines in both Champagne and Alsace. Paired with its parent grape, Pinot Noir, it is employed in the majority of sparkling wines in every corner of the winemaking world.

Chardonnay is popular with both wine producers and consumers. It produces high yields, will grow in a broad spectrum of climates and can be made into wine of acceptable quality with relative ease. As a variety, it presents few viticultural problems of any great significance, although in overly warm conditions it can lose its natural acid/sugar balance, resulting in flat, overblown wines.

Also, Chardonnay buds and flowers early, so more severe spring frosts have been known to destroy entire crops. Vignerons in Burgundy (particularly in Chablis) have traditionally mititgated this by using braziers to warm the air between vines; the phenomenal potential of Chardonnay grown in cooler climates means that Burgundians are likely to find novel ways to address any environmental challenge.

Synonyms include: Morillon, Pinot Chardonnay, Feiner Weisser Burgunder.

Popular blends include: Champagne Blend, Chardonnay–Pinot Noir, Chardonnay–Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay–Viognier, Chardonnay-Semillon, Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc.

Related grape varieties include: Pinot Noir, Gouais Blanc, Chardonnay Rose, Chardonnay Blanc Musque.

Food matches include:
Europe: Sole meuniere; butternut squash risotto (risotto alla zucca)
Asia: Japanese pork-belly; Ipoh-style roast chicken with rice (nasi ayam)
Americas: Roast chicken or turkey, apple and walnut salad; Conger-eel chowder (caldillo de congrio)
Australasia/Oceania: Whole-roasted barramundi; barbecued garlic shrimps
Africa/Middle East: Tunisian tajine (baked egg and cheese ragout)


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We found 16,267 matches for Chardonnay, only the first 500 will be shown.
Wine Name
Region 
Popularity
Salon Cuvee 'S' Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France Champagne Blanc de Blancs $402 91
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Le Montrachet $4,596 100
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France Champagne Blanc de Blancs $169 175
Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Chevalier-Montrachet $529 205
Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne, France Champagne Blanc de Blancs $1,060 208
Domaine Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Corton-Charlemagne $145 261
J.-F Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Corton-Charlemagne $2,276 272
Domaine Leflaive Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Batard-Montrachet $414 308
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet, Cote de Beaune, France Puligny-Montrachet $91 339
Domaine Leflaive Les Pucelles, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru, France Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles $223 362
Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Le Montrachet $1,296 381
J.-F Coche-Dury Meursault, Cote de Beaune, France Meursault $276 404
Domaine des Comtes Lafon Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Le Montrachet $1,398 408
Kistler Vineyards 'Kistler' Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley, USA Sonoma Valley $101 444
Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Le Montrachet $5,392 457
William Fevre Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru, France Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos $88 464
Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, Napa Valley, USA Napa Valley $44 469
Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay, Carneros, USA Carneros $35 503
Joseph Drouhin Marquis de Laguiche Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Le Montrachet $506 506
Rene et Vincent Dauvissat-Camus Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru, France Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos $148 555
Domaine Leflaive Clavoillon, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru, France Puligny-Montrachet Clavaillon $127 564
J.-F Coche-Dury Les Perrieres, Meursault Premier Cru, France Meursault Perrieres $1,288 574
Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Corton-Charlemagne $119 602
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa Valley, USA Napa Valley $47 609
Bouchard Pere & Fils Le Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France Le Montrachet $498 616
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