Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a varietal of white wine originating from the Burgundy region in France but now grown everywhere wine is made. The varietal is also one of the three main varieties used in the production of Champagne (the alternates being Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier).

According to Forbes in 2018, Chardonnay was the fifth most planted wine grape in the world, covering 211,000 hectares internationally. It is also the most widely planted varietal in the USA, accounting for 10% of total vine area.

The Chardonnay grape itself is relatively neutral, with many of the flavours commonly associated with the wine being derived from such influences as terroir or oak and is therefore vinified into many different styles. The identification of the wines often comes down to identifying the region, for example, pineapple notes are more commonly associated with examples from Napa Valley while green apples are more associated in the Chablis region of France.

While many examples of Chardonnay can benefit from a few years of bottle ageing, especially if they have high acidity, most Chardonnays are meant to be consumed young and fresh. 

Listed below are the wineries that produce Chardonnay.

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