Chardonnay

Learn More About Chardonnay

Where it comes from

Chardonnay was born in Burgundy, eastern France, where it has been producing some of the world's finest white wines for centuries. It's believed to be a natural crossing of Pinot Noir and the ancient Gouais Blanc grape, giving it both elegance and remarkable versatility. Today, Burgundy remains Chardonnay's spiritual home, with villages such as Chablis, Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet producing benchmark examples that have inspired winemakers across the globe.

Where it thrives around the world

Few grape varieties have travelled as successfully as Chardonnay. It now flourishes almost everywhere wine is made, from California and Oregon to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Argentina. Each region brings its own personality to the grape. Cool-climate sites tend to produce wines bursting with citrus, green apple and mineral freshness, while warmer regions deliver riper flavours of peach, pineapple and tropical fruit. It's also one of the three classic grapes used in Champagne, where it brings elegance, freshness and longevity to the blend.

Climate and winemaking impact

Perhaps more than any other white grape, Chardonnay reflects both its surroundings and the decisions of the winemaker. Cooler climates produce lean, vibrant wines with high acidity and notes of lemon, apple and wet stone. Warmer climates create fuller-bodied styles with flavours of ripe peach, melon and tropical fruit. Winemaking has just as much influence: stainless steel preserves freshness and purity, while oak ageing adds notes of vanilla, toast and spice. Techniques such as malolactic fermentation can introduce the creamy, buttery textures many people associate with classic Chardonnay. The result is an extraordinarily diverse grape that can range from refreshingly crisp to wonderfully rich.