Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to produce white wine. It originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand.
Chardonnay itself is a fairly neutral grape, with many of the flavors commonly associated with the wine being derived from such influences as terroir and oak. It is vinified in many different styles, from the lean, crisply mineral wines of Chablis, France, to New World wines with oak and tropical fruit flavors.
It is often used in making Champagne and other sparkling wines. Some Chardonnays are fermented and aged in oak barrels, which gives the wine a rich, buttery flavor, while others are made in a more contemporary style and may be aged in stainless steel, preserving a fresh, fruity character.
The flavors of Chardonnay range widely and can include apple, pear, peach, pineapple, and citrus. When aged in oak, the wine may take on flavors of cream, vanilla, and honey. Some Chardonnays also exhibit a flinty or mineral-like taste.
Chardonnay wines are typically medium to full-bodied and are known for their high acidity and the ability to pair well with food.
