The Wine Reference🍷 SupportChardonnay grape
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Chardonnay is a white grape known for apple, lemon, butter, oak. Its best-known homes are Burgundy, California, Australia.
Origin and history
From Burgundy; a natural cross of Pinot and the old peasant grape Gouais Blanc. A village called Chardonnay lies in the Mâconnais.
Where it grows
Burgundy (Chablis, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet), Champagne, California, Australia (Margaret River, Yarra Valley), New Zealand, Chile and South Africa.
Structure
Medium to full body with medium to high acidity. A fairly neutral grape that shows its place and winemaking clearly.
Aromas, young and aged
Cool and unoaked: green apple, lemon and wet stone. Warm: peach, pineapple and melon. Oak and malolactic fermentation add butter, vanilla, toast and hazelnut.
Ageing
Most drink well young; top white Burgundy can age 10–20 years.
Also known as
Morillon (Styria, Austria).
Good to know
The only grape in Blanc de Blancs Champagne and in Chablis.
Wine regions for Chardonnay
Chardonnay wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
William Fèvre Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre
Burgundy · Chablis · Chardonnay
Steely and mineral: lemon, green apple and oyster-shell freshness.
Food: Oysters, grilled fish
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
Rich yet fresh: grapefruit, white peach, cashew and toasty oak.
Food: Lobster, roast chicken
Jermann Vintage Tunina
Friuli-Venezia Giulia · Venezia Giulia · Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia
Rich field-blend white: honey, ripe pear, flowers and herbs, long and textured.
Food: Seafood risotto, white meats, mild cheese
Tabalí Talinay Chardonnay
Limarí Valley · Limarí · Chardonnay
Limestone-grown Chardonnay: lemon, white peach, flint and taut acidity.
Food: Grilled fish, roast chicken, scallops
Cave Geisse Brut
Serra Gaúcha · Pinto Bandeira · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Traditional-method Brazilian fizz: green apple, citrus and toasty brioche.
Food: Canapés, fried snacks, sushi
Louis Pommery England Brut
Hampshire · English Sparkling Wine · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Pommery's English sparkling: crisp green apple, citrus and a fine chalky finish.
Food: Oysters, fish and chips
Louis Pommery England Brut Rosé
Hampshire · English Sparkling Wine · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Bright red berries and fresh acidity in a delicate English pink fizz.
Food: Smoked salmon, strawberries
Rathfinny Wine Estate Blanc de Blancs Brut
Precise all-Chardonnay fizz from the South Downs: lemon, brioche and chalk.
Food: Scallops, crab
Exton Park Blanc de Blancs Brut
Hampshire · English Sparkling Wine · Chardonnay
Long-aged Hampshire Chardonnay fizz with lemon curd, almond and fine mousse.
Food: Lobster, sushi
Chapel Down Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée
Kent · English Sparkling Wine · Chardonnay
Chapel Down's top single-vineyard cuvée from chalk in Kent: concentrated, toasty and long.
Food: Turbot, truffle risotto
Nyetimber 1086 Rosé Prestige Cuvée
Sussex · English Sparkling Wine · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Nyetimber's flagship rosé: wild strawberry, rose petal and long lees-aged depth.
Food: Duck breast, salmon
Cradle Valley Chardonnay
Sussex · English Wine · Chardonnay
Cool-climate English Chardonnay: green apple, lemon and a lightly creamy finish.
Food: Roast chicken, cod
Renegade Urban Winery Sherika
London · English Wine · Rondo, Chardonnay, Ortega
Light, juicy English red from Hampshire grapes: cherry, plum and a fresh edge.
Food: Charcuterie, burgers
Digby Fine English Reserve Brut Rosé
Sussex · English Sparkling Wine · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Mature English rosé fizz: red fruit, toast and a long dry finish.
Food: Lobster, game terrine
Cloudy Bay Pelorus Rosé
Marlborough · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Traditional-method New Zealand rosé: strawberry, cream and fine bubbles.
Food: Prawns, summer berries
Noughty Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Chardonnay
Alcohol-free organic sparkling Chardonnay (0.0%): apple and citrus, dry and fresh.
Food: Canapés, salads
Pommery Brut Royal
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Fresh, Chardonnay-led house style: citrus, white flowers and a light, crisp finish.
Food: Oysters, canapés
Pommery Brut Apanage 1874
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
A rounder, more gastronomic Pommery: ripe pear, brioche and hazelnut.
Food: Poultry, white fish
Pommery Apanage Blanc de Blancs
Pure Chardonnay Pommery: lemon, white flowers and chalky freshness.
Food: Scallops, sushi
Pommery Brut Rosé Royal
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Delicate pink Pommery with red berries and a crisp, dry finish.
Food: Salmon, red berries
Pommery Apanage Brut Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Fuller rosé with wild strawberry, citrus peel and gentle toast.
Food: Duck, tuna
Pommery Grand Cru Brut
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Vintage blend from grand cru villages only: depth, toast and fine acidity.
Food: Lobster, chicken in cream
Pommery Cuvée Louise
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Pommery's prestige cuvée: refined, layered, with honey, almond and long minerality.
Food: Langoustine, caviar
A. Levasseur Extrait Gourmand
Champagne · Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Grower Champagne from the Marne: generous, fruity and gently toasty.
Food: Gougères, chicken
A. Levasseur Extrait Gourmand Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Grower rosé with ripe red fruit and a soft, creamy mousse.
Food: Charcuterie, salmon
Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs
Rich, creamy Chardonnay Champagne with citrus, brioche and nutty depth.
Food: Turbot, scallops
Charles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Vinous rosé with red fruit, spice and toasty reserve wines.
Food: Duck, lamb
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Light, Chardonnay-rich house style: citrus, white peach and finesse.
Food: Aperitif, oysters
Devaux Cuvée D Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Côte des Bar rosé with ripe red berries, spice and a long finish.
Food: Salmon, charcuterie
Ayala Rosé Majeur
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Fresh, low-dosage rosé: redcurrant, citrus and a crisp, dry finish.
Food: Sushi, prawns
Ayala Blanc de Blancs
Vintage Chardonnay Champagne with lemon, chalk and precise, low-dosage style.
Food: Oysters, sole
Gosset Grand Rosé Brut
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Fresh, fruit-driven rosé from Aÿ's oldest house: strawberry and citrus.
Food: Salmon, red fruit desserts
Gosset Celebris Rosé Extra Brut
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Gosset's prestige rosé: dry, complex, with dried red fruit and spice.
Food: Pigeon, lobster
Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Bright, fruity rosé: wild strawberry, cherry and a soft mousse.
Food: Salmon, berries
Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
The vintage Moët: riper fruit, toast and more depth than the NV.
Food: Chicken, scallops
Bollinger Rosé Brut
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Pinot-rich, vinous rosé with red fruit, spice and Bollinger's toasty depth.
Food: Duck, salmon
Bollinger La Grande Année
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Barrel-fermented vintage Bollinger: rich, nutty, toasty and long.
Food: Lobster, truffle
Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Recently disgorged Grande Année, aged long on lees: deep, complex and dry.
Food: Caviar, aged Comté
Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Floral, fruity rosé with red berries and a delicate texture.
Food: Salmon, prawns
Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Floral, finely balanced prestige cuvée in the famous anemone bottle.
Food: Langoustine, sole
Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Rosé
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Elegant prestige rosé: red berries, citrus and white flowers.
Food: Lobster, duck
Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Opulent rosé in the metal-clad bottle: ripe red fruit and a creamy finish.
Food: Celebrations, red fruit
Louis Roederer Vintage Brut
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Pinot-led vintage Roederer: ripe, structured and toasty.
Food: Poultry, veal
Louis Roederer Vintage Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Vintage rosé from Cumières Pinot: delicate red fruit and freshness.
Food: Salmon, duck
Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs
Vintage Chardonnay from Avize: creamy, citrus and chalky.
Food: Scallops, crab
Louis Roederer Cristal
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Roederer's prestige cuvée: pure, precise, layered and very long.
Food: Caviar, langoustine
Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
The rare pink Cristal: silky red fruit, citrus and remarkable finesse.
Food: Lobster, pigeon
Henriot Brut Souverain
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Chardonnay-led house blend: citrus, white flowers and brioche.
Food: Aperitif, oysters
Henriot Brut Rosé Millésimé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Vintage rosé with red fruit, citrus and mature toast.
Food: Duck, salmon
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Taittinger's prestige rosé: intense red fruit, spice and silky texture.
Food: Lamb, lobster
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Pinot-dominated prestige rosé: deep red fruit and toasty complexity.
Food: Duck, venison
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Pale, elegant classic rosé: strawberry, citrus and fine bubbles.
Food: Salmon, sushi
Billecart-Salmon Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs
Vintage grand cru Chardonnay: citrus, brioche and great finesse.
Food: Lobster, sole
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Billecart's prestige vintage: structured, toasty and long-lived.
Food: Turbot, poultry
Dom Pérignon Brut
Champagne · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Moët's prestige vintage only: smoky, toasty, creamy and very long.
Food: Caviar, scallops
Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Millésimé
Vintage Le Mesnil Chardonnay (Salon's sister house): taut, chalky and citrus.
Food: Oysters, langoustine
Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs
Single-village, single-grape icon made only in great years: intense, mineral and very long-lived.
Food: Caviar, turbot
Krug Rosé
Champagne · Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Deep, spicy rosé with Krug's richness: red fruit, citrus peel and toast.
Food: Lamb, tuna
Leflaive & Associés Bourgogne Blanc
Burgundy · Bourgogne · Chardonnay
Négociant arm of Leflaive: pure, lemony Chardonnay with a light touch of oak.
Food: Chicken, white fish
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc
Burgundy · Bourgogne · Chardonnay
Biodynamic Puligny-made Bourgogne: fine, mineral and citrus.
Food: Sole, roast chicken
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet
Burgundy · Puligny-Montrachet · Chardonnay
Village Puligny from a benchmark estate: floral, tense and mineral.
Food: Turbot, scallops
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon
Burgundy · Puligny-Montrachet · Chardonnay
Leflaive's largest premier cru: citrus, hazelnut and fine minerality.
Food: Lobster, veal
Domaine Leflaive Meursault 1er Cru Sous le Dos d'Âne
Burgundy · Meursault · Chardonnay
High-slope Meursault: richer fruit with Leflaive's precision.
Food: Chicken in cream, crab
Domaine Y & L Vocoret Petit Chablis
Burgundy · Petit Chablis · Chardonnay
Fresh, lemony entry-level Chablis with a crisp, chalky finish.
Food: Oysters, goat's cheese
Domaine Gérard Tremblay Chablis
Burgundy · Chablis · Chardonnay
Unoaked Chablis: green apple, lemon and a stony, saline finish.
Food: Oysters, moules
Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis
Burgundy · Chablis · Chardonnay
Precise, steely village Chablis with citrus and oyster-shell minerality.
Food: Shellfish, sushi
Lucie Thiéblemont Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux
Burgundy · Chablis · Chardonnay
Young grower's premier cru: taut citrus, flint and length.
Food: Scallops, trout
Domaine Chanson Chablis 1er Cru Montmains
Burgundy · Chablis · Chardonnay
Classic Montmains: lemon, white flowers and chalky tension.
Food: Sole, langoustine
William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros
Burgundy · Chablis · Chardonnay
Powerful grand cru with ripe citrus, honey and mineral depth.
Food: Lobster, poultry
Domaine Vincent Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons
Burgundy · Chablis · Chardonnay
Cult grower Chablis: intense, mineral, gently oaked and long-lived.
Food: Turbot, Comté
Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Burgundy · Corton-Charlemagne · Chardonnay
Benchmark Corton-Charlemagne: powerful, mineral and slow to age.
Food: Lobster, roast chicken
Domaine Latour-Giraud Meursault
Burgundy · Meursault · Chardonnay
Rich, nutty village Meursault with ripe citrus and butter.
Food: Chicken in cream, crab
Domaine Ballot-Millot Meursault Les Narvaux
Burgundy · Meursault · Chardonnay
Upper-slope Meursault lieu-dit: taut, mineral and elegant.
Food: Scallops, veal
Vincent Girardin Meursault Vieilles Vignes
Burgundy · Meursault · Chardonnay
Old-vine village Meursault: generous, hazelnut and citrus.
Food: Lobster, chicken
Domaine Pierre Morey Meursault 1er Cru Les Tessons
Burgundy · Meursault · Chardonnay
Biodynamic, mineral Meursault from stony soils: precise and long.
Food: Turbot, Comté
Domaine Larue Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Combes
Burgundy · Saint-Aubin · Chardonnay
Bright, mineral Saint-Aubin: great-value Côte de Beaune white.
Food: Fish, chicken
Domaine Bzikot Puligny-Montrachet
Burgundy · Puligny-Montrachet · Chardonnay
Family-grower Puligny: floral, citrus and fine minerality.
Food: White fish, risotto
Fernand & Laurent Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet
Burgundy · Chassagne-Montrachet · Chardonnay
Ripe, round village Chassagne with stone fruit and hazelnut.
Food: Lobster, pork
Jean-Noël Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet Les Masures
Burgundy · Chassagne-Montrachet · Chardonnay
Elegant Chassagne lieu-dit: citrus, white flowers and fine oak.
Food: Scallops, chicken
Domaine Chanson Mercurey Blanc
Burgundy · Mercurey · Chardonnay
Côte Chalonnaise white: fresh, apple and citrus with light oak.
Food: Fish, poultry
Domaine Jaeger-Defaix Rully 1er Cru Mont-Palais
Burgundy · Rully · Chardonnay
Lively, mineral Rully premier cru: excellent value.
Food: Seafood, goat's cheese
Eric Forest Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru Les Crays
Burgundy · Pouilly-Fuissé · Chardonnay
Mâconnais premier cru: ripe yet mineral, with citrus and stone fruit.
Food: Chicken, river fish
Domaine Chanson Bourgogne Chardonnay
Burgundy · Bourgogne · Chardonnay
Fresh, fruity everyday white Burgundy.
Food: Fish, salads
Mas de Daumas Gassac Réserve de Gassac Blanc
Languedoc-Roussillon · Pays de l'Hérault · Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier
Fresh, aromatic Languedoc white blend.
Food: Salads, fish
Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay
Adelaide Hills · South Australia & Tasmania · Chardonnay
Penfolds' top Chardonnay: cool-climate citrus, fine oak and great length.
Food: Lobster, roast chicken
Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay
Adelaide Hills · Piccadilly Valley · Chardonnay
Taut, mineral Chardonnay from close-planted Piccadilly Valley vines.
Food: Scallops, chicken
Greywacke Chardonnay
Wild-ferment Marlborough Chardonnay: citrus, flint and nutty depth.
Food: Chicken, crayfish
Meerlust Chardonnay
Burgundian-style Stellenbosch Chardonnay: citrus, oak and nuts.
Food: Chicken, crayfish
Restless River Chardonnay
Hemel-en-Aarde · Hemel-en-Aarde Valley · Chardonnay
Cool-climate Chardonnay: citrus, flint and fine texture.
Food: Fish, poultry
Sanford Chardonnay
Santa Rita Hills · Sta. Rita Hills · Chardonnay
Cool-climate California Chardonnay: citrus and creamy texture.
Food: Lobster, chicken
Bodegas Chivite Chivite Colección 125 Chardonnay
Polished, barrel-fermented Chardonnay with citrus, hazelnut and creamy, fresh texture.
Food: Roast poultry, lobster, risotto
Denbies Wine Estate Greenfields Cuvée
Surrey · Surrey Hills · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Traditional-method English sparkling with green apple, brioche and bright acidity.
Food: Smoked salmon, canapés, soft cheese
Langham Wine Estate Culver Classic Cuvée
Dorset · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Chalk-grown Dorset fizz, citrus, red apple and toasty depth with a long finish.
Food: Shellfish, fish pie, aged cheddar
Haute Cabrière Pierre Jourdan Brut
Franschhoek · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Cap Classique with lemon, green apple and gentle biscuit, crisp and elegant.
Food: Oysters, sushi, fried snacks
Familia Torres Milmanda
Refined barrel-fermented Chardonnay with citrus, hazelnut and a long, saline finish.
Food: Lobster, turbot, roast chicken
Lyme Bay Winery Classic Cuvée
Devon · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Traditional-method English fizz with green apple, brioche and fine, lively bubbles.
Food: Smoked salmon, crab sandwiches, fish and chips
Miolo Cuvée Tradition Brut
Serra Gaúcha · Vale dos Vinhedos · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Traditional-method fizz with green apple, brioche and a fine, persistent mousse; Brazil's sparkling calling card.
Food: Pão de queijo and cured ham
De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Grown Chardonnay
Modern, tight Chardonnay: grapefruit, white nectarine and a flinty, lightly nutty finish.
Food: Pan-fried snapper with brown butter
Codorníu Anna Blanc de Blancs
Cava · Chardonnay, Parellada, Xarel·lo, Macabeo
Fresh and creamy Cava with citrus, white flowers and a light toasty note; an easy, good-value aperitif.
Food: Jamón croquetas
Casa Valduga 130 Brut
Serra Gaúcha · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Traditional-method Brazilian fizz: green apple, toasted brioche and a fine, creamy mousse.
Food: Fried snacks, prawn tempura
Bellavista Alma Grande Cuvée Brut
Lombardy · Franciacorta · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc
Elegant Franciacorta with white flowers, lemon curd and toasted hazelnut over a fine bead.
Food: Risotto alla milanese, fritto misto
Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs
Kent · English Sparkling Wine · Chardonnay
Long-aged English Chardonnay fizz: lemon tart, brioche and chalky freshness.
Food: Oysters, smoked salmon blinis
Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve
Hampshire · English Sparkling Wine · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Crisp Hampshire blend with baked apple, citrus and a soft, nutty richness from some oak-fermented wine.
Food: Fish and chips, Comté
Similar white grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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