Chardonnay
The chardonnay grape variety has taken a bit of a lambasting, in past years. At one time, bottom end of the market, Chardonnay was synonymous with bland, and all too frequently undrinkable quaffing wines.
But all that has now changed. Chardonnay has received a makeover, in vinous terms; its good reputation firmly restored among wine drinkers, in the know.
Today, the international grape variety, chardonnay, is arguably the most popular white grape variety in the world. Chardonnay wines are produced in huge volumes, both as a single grape for producing flint-dry Chablis, or used in blends, such as semillon/chardonnay and sauvignon blanc/chardonnay, or most famously as one of the three main grapes used for making champagne blends. Chardonnay is also the single grape used for producing the famous champagne label, Blanc de Blancs.
Robust and versatile, the chardonnay grape is capable of thriving and ripening under most conditions, in major wine growing regions, throughout the world. Although, it has to be said that it is not too partial to extremes of terroir.
Chardonnay at a glance
Main Wine Growing Regions
Burgundy (France), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, California, Chile.
Flavor & Aroma
As a generic grape variety, chardonnay does not exhibit a particularly strong flavor of its own. Instead, it takes its character from the soil and climate in which it is grown. Flavors and aromas vary considerably from region to region and range from oaky, toasty, buttery, nutty, vanilla flavors to melon, apple, pear, grapefruit and pineapple fruit flavors, with even a hint of coconut.
To sample chardonnay in its purest form, with clean, subtle acidity, opt for an unoaked Chablis or a single grape Burgundy from the Côte de Beaune region of France.
Chardonnay Styles
Light to medium body, chardonnay styles range from bone dry and austere (typically associated with France's Chablis), to the fruity, almost syrupy chardonnays, with a distinct hint of oakiness, produced in New World wine regions, such as Australia.
Chardonnay and Food
Chardonnay pairs perfectly with seafood, especially shellfish and subtle flavored fish such as Dover sole. Chardonnay also matches well with white meats and poultry