Grape · White

Chardonnay

Cool climate

About

Arguably the world's most versatile white grape. Takes on the character of where it grows and how it is made, from steely, mineral Chablis to rich, oaky New World styles.

Typical profile

Body

Moderate

Acidity

Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Aromas

What the grape gives up young, and what it grows into with time in bottle.

Young · fresh from the glass

green apple lemon pear nectarine

Aged · develops with bottle time

hazelnut mushroom toast butterscotch

Explore aromas

Oak influence

Possible

Growing regions

How the grape expresses across places, grouped by country. Chips call out how a region's style deviates from the grape's default.

Australia

Gippsland

Lean, citrus-driven, long ripening

Yarra Valley

Elegant, restrained Chardonnay. Peach and citrus with gentle oak.

Austria

Neusiedlersee

Rich, barrel-fermented Chardonnay with toasty, honeyed character.

Südsteiermark

Leaner↓Brighter↑

Mineral, precise Chardonnay from volcanic and slate soils.

Chile

Casablanca Valley

Cool-climate Chardonnay with citrus and white peach. Elegant, mineral.

France

Beaujolais

Makes Beaujolais Blanc and Saint-Véran, crisp mineral whites from the southern Mâconnais border

Burgundy

Chardonnay's homeland. Chablis stays steely and citrus-driven, the Côte de Beaune turns rich and hazelnutty, the Mâconnais sits comfortably between.

Champagne

Leaner↓Brighter↑

Chardonnay's quiet leading role: structure, citrus, and chalk minerality from the Côte des Blancs, lifted by years on the lees into brioche and creamy texture.

Jura

Rich, nutty Chardonnay aged under flor or in oak. Distinctive oxidative style.

Italy

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Leaner↓Brighter↑

Collio Chardonnay: mineral, structured, sometimes with skin contact for added texture.

Lombardy

Leaner↓Brighter↑

Cool-climate Chardonnay for Franciacorta sparkling. Crisp, elegant, mineral.

New Zealand

Hawke's Bay

Leaner↓Brighter↑

Crisp, apple-driven Chardonnay from warm Hawke's Bay. Often unoaked.

Marlborough

Leaner↓

Crisp, citrus-driven Chardonnay from cool maritime conditions

South Africa

Cape South Coast

Cool-climate elegance from Elgin and Bot River. South Africa's answer to Burgundy.

Coastal Region

Rich, tropical Chardonnay with stone fruit. Often barrel-fermented.

Spain

Costers del Segre

Planted heavily at Raimat for both still wine and sparkling base, ripening with restraint thanks to wide diurnal swings

Navarra

Makes rich, barrel-fermented whites with good aging potential

Switzerland

Geneva

A growing share of Geneva's experimental whites

German Switzerland

A growing share of the German-speaking cantons' whites, often barrel-aged

Vaud

Small but ambitious plots, often in Lavaux and the Vaudois Chablais

United States

Napa Valley

Fuller↑Rounder↓

Napa Chardonnay leans on cool Carneros, where San Pablo Bay fog preserves acidity. Tropical fruit, citrus, and toasted oak; warmer sites give richer, butterier expressions.

New York

Crisp, citrus-driven on Long Island; leaner and more mineral in the Finger Lakes. Both still and traditional-method sparkling.

Santa Cruz Mountains

Fuller↑Rounder↓

Mountain-grown Chardonnay with concentrated fruit and balancing acidity from altitude.

Sonoma Coast

Cool-climate California Chardonnay. Russian River fog gives lemon, golden apple, and pear over chalky minerality, with barrel ageing adding lees, vanilla, and lifted texture.

Willamette Valley

Leaner↓Brighter↑

Oregon's quiet rising star. Cool-climate Chardonnay on volcanic Jory soil: lemon, apple, white flowers, and bright acidity, with a Burgundian restraint that ages well.

USA

California

Fuller↑Rounder↓

Rich, tropical Chardonnay with generous oak influence. Elegant, cool-climate Chardonnay with citrus and mineral notes. Refined, cool-climate Chardonnay with bright acidity and restraint

Oregon

Leaner↓Brighter↑

Mineral-driven, Burgundian-style Chardonnay gaining reputation

Food pairings

Lobster thermidor with herb butterPan-seared halibut with lemon beurre blancRoasted chicken with tarragon and cream sauceGrilled scallops with cauliflower puréeMushroom risotto with truffle oilPork tenderloin with apple and sage stuffing

Similar grapes

Pinot Blanc

Grüner Veltliner

Cortese

Melon de Bourgogne

Trebbiano

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chardonnay taste like?▼

Chardonnay is incredibly versatile, ranging from crisp and mineral with green apple and lemon notes in cooler styles like Chablis, to rich and oaky with tropical fruit flavors in warmer climate expressions. Young Chardonnays typically show fresh fruit like pear and melon, while aged versions develop complex notes of hazelnut, toast, and butterscotch.

Where does Chardonnay grow best?▼

Chardonnay thrives in cool climates where it can maintain its natural acidity and develop complex flavors. Classic regions include Burgundy's Chablis and Côte de Beaune, though it adapts remarkably well to diverse terroirs worldwide, from cool-climate Australia to California's coastal regions.

What food pairs with Chardonnay?▼

Lean, mineral Chardonnays pair beautifully with oysters, seafood, and goat cheese, while richer, oaked styles complement roasted chicken, lobster with butter, and creamy pasta dishes. The wine's versatility allows it to match the weight and intensity of many different foods.

How does Chardonnay age?▼

Quality Chardonnays age gracefully, developing complex secondary aromas of hazelnut, mushroom, toast, and butterscotch over time. The wine's natural acidity helps preserve freshness while allowing it to gain richness and depth, particularly in premium examples from Burgundy and other cool climates.

Is Chardonnay similar to Sauvignon Blanc?▼

While both are white grapes, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are quite different in character. Chardonnay is more versatile and can range from mineral to rich and oaky, while Sauvignon Blanc typically maintains a more consistent crisp, herbaceous, and citrusy profile regardless of origin.