Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, thanks to its wide range of styles. You’ll find everything from lean and chalky styles to rich, creamy, oak-aged wines, and even some of the world’s finest sparkling wines.
Also known as: Morillon
Table of Contents
Primary Flavors
- Lemon
- Yellow Apple
- Butter
- Vanilla
- Pineapple
Taste Profile
Chardonnay is defined by its remarkable stylistic and flavor range. This diversity comes from the wide range of winemaking techniques and climates in which it is grown.
From crisp, unoaked versions from cool climates to full-bodied, oak-aged versions from more moderate climates and even sparkling Blanc de Blancs, the flavors of Chardonnay can vary significantly while retaining common characteristics.
On the nose, unoaked or Chablis shows fragrant notes of green apple, pear, and citrus, with some chalky or mineral-like aromas.
Oaked Chardonnays, particularly those in the Burgundian style, often deliver rich aromas of peach, mango, and lemon, with notes of vanilla and butter. Oak, malolactic fermentation, and the lees-contact layer contribute to the nutty character and often include a hint of toasted bread.
On the palate, Chardonnay offers a broad range of experiences depending on its style. Unoaked Chardonnays are typically lean and crisp, with high acidity, often resembling the freshness of a Sauvignon Blanc but with more body.
Oaked Chardonnays often show a fuller body, creamy mouthfeel, moderate acidity, and flavors of butter, vanilla, and baking spices overlaying a stone fruit character. Despite stylistic differences, both types typically share notes of apple or citrus. With age, no matter the style, Chardonnay tends to develop hazelnut aromas. Most lean styles fall between 12–13.5% ABV, while richer styles can reach up to 14.5–15% ABV.
How to Serve Chardonnay Wine
The serving temperature for Chardonnay varies depending on the style. Sparkling Chardonnay should be served very chilled at 38-45°F (3-7°C). Leaner styles, like Chablis, should be served cool, around 45°F (7°C), while oaked styles should be a bit warmer, around 55°F (12°C).
A flute glass is often used for sparkling wines, but a white wine glass also works. For best results, use a universal white wine glass for leaner styles and an aroma collector glass for oaked versions.
Most Chardonnay wines need decanting only if they are quite old. Speaking of old Chardonnay, some of the finest examples of all styles can improve with age, becoming very nutty and even developing heavenly mushroom-like aromas.
SERVE
45–55°F / 7-12°C
GLASS TYPE
Aroma Collector
DECANT
No
CELLAR
5-10 Years
Chardonnay Food Pairing
Thanks to the range of styles that Chardonnay can produce, it can pair with almost anything. Chardonnay performs exceptionally well at the table, from shellfish to creamy sauces and even white meats like pork and chicken.
Acidity tends to be high in lean and sparkling styles of Chardonnay, which works well with creamier dishes but also pairs well with seafood. Try oysters, sushi, sautéed fish, pâté, Chicken Piccata, vegetable risotto, or moules frites! The minerality and delicate flavors pair best with light, refined dishes.
Oaked Chardonnays have more body and tend to pair well with richer foods. Try crab cakes, linguini vongole (clams), halibut, or even pork tenderloin with apples. Vegetarians should lean towards rich or starchy vegetables like corn, pumpkin, or squash. Also, mushrooms are a must!
5 Fun Facts About Chardonnay
- Chardonnay is one of the most planted white grapes in the world, with over 494,000 acres (200,000 hectares) planted worldwide.
- Chardonnay often undergoes a process called malolactic fermentation, which changes sharp malic acid into softer lactic acid, adding butter and yogurt notes.
- Wente in California is famous for cloning Chardonnay from Burgundy in 1912. That clone (called the Wente clone) is the source material for nearly 80% of American Chardonnay plantings today.
- Chardonnay is considered a winemaker’s grape, as it gets many of its hallmark tasting notes of butter and vanilla from winemaking methods.
- If you see “Blanc de Blancs” on a Champagne label, you’re almost always drinking 100% Chardonnay.
Where it Grows
Chardonnay originated in Burgundy, France, and is now found in every winemaking country. Styles vary here, from rich, oaked expressions in Meursault to lean, mineral-driven Chablis.
The grape adapts to diverse climates in California, producing styles ranging from mineral-rich wines on the cool Sonoma Coast to tropical, opulent wines in warmer Napa Valley.
In Australia, cooler climate zones, like the Yarra Valley and Margaret River, craft fruit-forward but refreshingly high-acid Chardonnays. Many are made in a Burgundian style.
- France: 117,254 acres (47,451 hectares)
- USA: 102,282 acres (41,392 hectares)
- Australia: 52,685 acres (21,321 hectares)
- Italy: 48,850 acres (19,769 hectares)
- Chile: 28,256 acres (11,435 hectares)
Total Vineyard Area – 498,286 acres (201,649 hectares) (Source: University of Adelaide, 2021)
Burgundy, France
What to expect: Burgundy offers a diverse range of wines, showcasing the purity of fruit, mineral complexity, and vibrant acidity. Expect flavors from crisp apple and citrus in cooler regions to richer notes of peach, apricot, and toasted almond in warmer ones. Aging in oak adds vanilla, while malolactic fermentation adds buttery notes and a creamy mouthfeel.
Chablis: Situated in northern Burgundy, Chablis is recognized for producing lean, steely Chardonnay with a unique flinty-mineral edge, thanks to its Kimmeridgian clay soil. The cooler climate and minimal oak influence emphasize tart green apple, lemon, and oyster shell notes. You’ll also find a yogurt aroma coming from malolactic fermentation.
Côte d’Or: Some of the world’s finest Chardonnays are made here. Most wines undergo oak aging, malolactic fermentation, and lees stirring, creating complex and rich styles.
The Côte d’Or is warmer as it’s further south, yielding fuller, opulent Chardonnays. Limestone-rich soils contribute to the wines’ prominent mineral backbone and refreshing acidity. Two important villages in the Côte d’Or are:
Meursault: Chardonnay from here leans towards richer flavors of buttered toast, hazelnut, and ripe stone fruits, complemented by an underlay of minerality and balanced acidity.
Puligny-Montrachet: Versions from this area combine elegance and power. Its wines express a harmony of ripe citrus, white flowers, and hazelnuts, underscored by a remarkable mineral tension, one of its hallmarks.
California, USA
What to expect: California Chardonnay showcases the state’s sun-kissed vineyards and expert winemaking, ranging from vibrant citrus and apple to opulent pear, butterscotch, and vanilla flavors. You’ll find everything here, from simple and fruity to some of the world’s best Chardonnays.
Sonoma Coast: Bright citrus, apple, and pear flavors dominate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Thanks to the cooling Pacific influences, you’ll find leaner and refreshing styles here. Some will have a minimal oak influence and a fine mineral streak.
Napa Valley: Napa Chardonnay leans towards richer stone fruit and tropical tones. The warm climate produces full-bodied wines with generous oak aging and some malolactic fermentation, toasty and buttery nuances. These are some of the richest Chardonnays out there.
Santa Barbara County: Lemon, apple, and pineapple notes take center stage. The area’s unique east-west mountain orientation and cool maritime influences from the Pacific make their way directly into the vineyard, yielding refreshing, racy, lean styles of Chardonnays. Subtle almond and brioche undertones from oak aging and lees stirring harmonize with the lingering minerality.
Australia
What to expect: Australian Chardonnay is a vibrant showcase of diverse styles, from simple and fruity to powerful and elegant, reflecting the continent’s varied microclimates. With a spectrum spanning from tropical fruit to citrus notes, these wines also offer mineral accents and well-integrated oak nuances.
Yarra Valley: Located in cool-climate Victoria, Yarra Valley produces elegant Chardonnays marked by crisp acidity. They are between styles in Chablis and Meursault. The wines are notable for their fresh citrus and green apple flavors. Oak aging introduces undertones of vanilla and toast without overwhelming the fruit purity.
Margaret River: The mild maritime climate of Margaret River and its gravelly soils give birth to Chardonnays with power and finesse. The region’s signature style blends intense flavors of ripe stone fruits, melon, and a hint of tropical fruit, but with racy acidity. Creamy textures and toasty oak notes create balance and structure. Expect an underlying minerality which echoes the region’s terroir.
In-Depth Knowledge
Take a deep dive into the versatility and complex nature of Chardonnay.
Why Do Some Chardonnays Taste Buttery?
The alluring buttery essence of Chardonnay doesn’t just miraculously appear. It’s the result of a carefully orchestrated biochemical process called malolactic fermentation (MLF). Contrary to the impression the name might give, MLF is not technically a fermentation. It’s a transformation process where a type of bacteria called Oenococcus oeni converts the tart malic acid (akin to the acid found in apples) into a softer, rounder lactic acid (similar to the acid found in dairy products).
This process softens the wine, creating a creamier, less acidic flavor profile and a full-bodied, smooth mouthfeel. A noteworthy byproduct of MLF is a compound called diacetyl, which contributes a distinctive buttery character to the Chardonnay. It’s important to note that this buttery flavor and texture are not a result of oak aging but rather a direct outcome of malolactic fermentation.
How Does Oak Impact Chardonnay?
Chardonnay’s intriguing complexity is mainly due to oak aging, which is significantly influenced by the barrel’s size, type, toast level, and aging time.
Barrel size influences wine development. Smaller barrels enhance flavor extraction and tannin integration because of increased wine-to-oak contact.
Different types of oak impart varied flavors: American oak offers bold, coconutty notes, French oak offers subtle, spicy nuances, and Hungarian oak balances the two.
The barrel’s toast level changes flavor impact: light toast yields delicate notes, medium toast introduces baking spices, and heavy toast delivers robust, toasted flavors.
Lastly, aging duration matters; longer periods intensify flavor extraction and deepen oak influence, leading to a more rounded, complex wine. Oak’s gift to Chardonnay includes vanilla essence from vanillin, creamy aroma from lactones, and a hint of clove-like spice from eugenol. In harmony with the wine’s inherent qualities, these elements create a richly layered sensory experience.
Bâtonnage (aka: lees stirring)
Another process contributing to Chardonnay’s mouthfeel and complexity is bâtonnage, also known as lees stirring. “Lees” refers to the dead yeast cells and other particles that settle at the bottom of the barrel after fermentation. Stirring these lees can enhance the wine’s texture, giving it a silkier mouthfeel and adding depth to its flavor profile.
During bâtonnage, the lees absorb oxygen, which reduces the wine’s exposure to oxidation and preserves its freshness. Furthermore, the yeast cells break down and release mannoproteins and polysaccharides, contributing to the wine’s body, creaminess, and stability. This can also add brioche, dough, or biscuit flavors. This process, alongside malolactic fermentation and oak aging, constitutes a triumvirate of winemaking techniques that shape the captivating character of Chardonnay.