Chardonnay (shar-dun-nay) originated in Burgundy, France and is the world’s most popular white grape. The varietal is grown everywhere in the New World (everywhere that isn’t Europe) and is well established in the Old World (Europe).
Chardonnay wine is medium to full-bodied, dry in style, with medium-high acidity. It can be high in alcohol with some as powerful as red wine.
The Chardonnay grape produces light to medium tannins and is typically aged in new oak barrels.
While styles and variations are plenty, The buttery flavors in Chardonnay wine also come from the terroir (and the oak-barrels). Generally, wines from warmer regions will be oaked and turned into this style of wine, meaning low acidity. If you choose a wine from a warmer climate that is oaked, expect tropical fruits such as pineapple or mango.
Cooler climates will have leaner wines with green apple and citrus notes. Some chardonnays are “unoaked” and are aged in stainless steel tanks. These wines will be lighter, medium bodied wines with fewer buttery flavors.
Fun Fact: According to La Crema winery in California, the planting of Chardonnay in Burgundy was a result of a wife frustrated with her husband’s red stained white beard. The story goes that about 800 A.D. Emperor Charlemagne’s wife ordered the cultivation of white grapes in their Burgundy vineyard (now called Corton-Charlemagne) to combat the red on his beard. God Save the Queen.
WHERE TO FIND THE Chardonnay Grape
Chardonnay is planted world-wide, in more than 40 countries and is the second most planted white wine grape (first place goes to Airen). This hearty grape can handle a variety of growing conditions, resulting a different styles of wine that can be produced.
Well known regions include White Burgundy, Champagne, France, Northern Italy, Coastal Chile, Western Australia, Oregon, California, South Australia, Western Cape, Southern Italy, Argentina.
The United States is the second-largest producer of Chardonnay with California (Napa Valley and Sonoma) and Oregon leading the charge.
When is the Right Mood for Chardonnay Wine?
HOW TO ENJOY Chardonnay WINE
Chardonnay food pairing
Chardonnay pairs best with Chicken, Creamy and Buttery dishes, Risotto, Shellfish, Thyme, Shallots, Brioche, Goat Cheese, Sheep’s Milk.
Practical Tips for Chardonnay Wine
Glassware: Consumed out of a white wine glass.
Shelf life: In general, shelf life for Chardonnay wine is about 5+ years with finer expressions from Burgundy and Napa lasting far longer.
Bottle Prices: The average bottle cost between $15 – $50.
Chardonnay WINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Looking for Chardonnay recommendations? Here are a few suggested sips.
Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay (Monterey, California)
Maia Parish is the owner of The Wine Suite and creator of The Tales of a Wine Mistress blog. Her events and tastings are featured at national festivals and tradeshows. She has her own broadcast called Tales of a Wine Mistress, on iGTV, Facebook Watch, and Twitter Live. Maia is a Wine Judge for the Denver International Wine Competition, Drink Pink Vino International Festival, Port and Fortified, and the Pairsine Food and Wine Competitions. She was a guest panelist for the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference and was featured in the Women in Wine Issue for R.H. Drexel’s Loam Baby Volume 6, and was voted as the under over 40 Top African Americans in Wine. She was also published in SommJourmal with Karen McNeil’s the Status of Women in the Wine Industry. Swirl Suite and is working on two upcoming podcasts. She is a former private caterer and events producer.
Maia is a mom of one, sister to many, friend to food, a semi-tech nerd, TV fanatic, big hair and don’t care fashionista, and entrepreneur. She lives in Denver. She lives to learn and educate people about the wine lifestyle, why because pouring make her happy.