Chardonnay
A versatile white grape whose style changes a great deal with climate and winemaking.
At a glance
- Citrus
- Orchard fruit
- Lean to creamy
- Sweetness
- dry
- Acidity
- medium to high
- Body
- light to full
Recognize it
Chardonnay is relatively neutral in aroma. Cooler sites tend toward citrus and higher acidity; warmer sites toward riper fruit. Oak, lees contact, and malolactic conversion can add texture and additional aromas.
Detail
Chardonnay is strongly associated with Burgundy. It buds early, making spring frost a recurring risk, and ripens relatively early. The grape itself is not highly aromatic, so site, ripeness and winemaking have a large influence on the final style.
Climate and picking date affect ripeness and acidity. Malolactic conversion, lees contact, and oak can further change aroma and texture.
Similar grapes
Pinot Gris
Similar medium to full body, restrained aroma.
Difference Pinot Gris leans more toward pear and spice; Chardonnay more often toward citrus and apple.
Sémillon
Similar broad body, restrained aroma.
Difference Sémillon is usually waxier and lower in acidity; Chardonnay is typically fresher and more apple or citrus driven.
Explore
Wines made from Chardonnay
- Champagne Blanc de Blancs
- Franciacorta
- Chablis
- Meursault
- Mâcon
- Montrachet
- White Burgundy
- Pouilly-Fuissé
- Rully
- Crémant de Bourgogne
- Petit Chablis
- Puligny-Montrachet
- Trockenbeerenauslese
- Mercurey
- Montagny
- Chassagne-Montrachet