The Chardonnay Grape
The Chardonnay grape hails from the Burgundy area of France where their vines are the most numerous of all the varieties planted. It’s the only grape permitted in the Chablis region and is also an important component of many sparkling wines around the world, including Champagne.
It remains one of the most widely-planted grape varieties, with over 400,000 acres (175,000 hectares) worldwide, second only to Airén among white wine grapes and planted in more wine regions than any other grape – including Cabernet Sauvignon. For new and developing wine regions, growing Chardonnay is seen as a "rite of passage" and an easy segue into the international wine market.
The origins of Chardonnay grape vines are difficult to trace, but some wine historians believe they were a product of cloning the ancient and little-known Gouais Blanc grape with some type of Pinot grape.
The Grape’s Characteristics
Chardonnay grapes are small, thin-skinned and fragile and therefore expensive to grow, harvest and age. They require warm climates with cool nights, although warmer regions have had success growing the vines. The temperamental grape is affected by climate and soil variations, with chalk, clay and limestone being the ones the grape seems to prefer most.
The Chardonnay grape itself is very neutral, with many of the flavours commonly associated with the grape being derived from where it is grown and the material in which it’s aged.
And a Hint of….
Chardonnay's variations offer something for every palate. A good Chardonnay is most often described as "buttery." It derives this characteristic from aging in oak barrels. Citrus and apple flavors are typical of chardonnays, although some also carry pineapple, mango, melon, pear, apricot and banana hints. The oak barrel aging can also impart a vanilla tone.
Where it’s Found
While the Chardonnay grape had its beginnings in the Burgundy region of France, it is commonly grown in many, many wine regions around the world.
In California wine country, Chardonnay overtook Riesling in 1990 as the dominant white wine variety of the area. The grape can also be found throughout North America, including such states as Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington, to name just a few. In Canada, Chardonnay vines can be found in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec.
While the style of Australian Chardonnay is mostly characterized by those many products produced in the hot Riverland region, the cooler climates of Victoria and Tasmania have also been creating crisper, less oaked wines with lime notes. And Chardonnay was New Zealand's most widely planted grape variety from 1990 until 2002, when Sauvignon Blanc finally surpassed it.
In South Africa, by 2004 the Chardonnay grape was the third most widely planted white wine grape behind Chenin Blanc and Colombard. And some winemakers in the Western Cape are experimenting by blending Chardonnay with Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
Indeed, Chardonnay can be found in cooler climate sites in Greece, Israel and Lebanon as well as Austria, Bulgaria, England, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.
Recommended Pairings
Chardonnay is a wine of delicate aromas and full-bodied but subtle flavors. Rich, heavy foods and tomato sauces tend to mask these characteristics while it is known to pair well with creamy sauces, poultry and seafood. Enjoy the buttery taste of a good Chardonnay with mild cheeses such as Gruyère or Provolone, or a crab cake appetizer. Oysters and salmon also pair well with the citrus flavors of a crisp Chardonnay.
Pork dishes and Caribbean cuisine do well with Chardonnay wines, because their flavors are distinctive without being overpowering.
Of course, there’s often nothing better than a cool, sharp Chardonnay all by itself on a fine summer day. Serve it at a moderate 55 °F, allowing it to warm just slightly after taking it from a cold refrigerator.