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Chardonnay

Full-bodied white (oaked) or crisp (unoaked)

Chardonnay: taste & food pairing

Say it: shar-doh-NAY · Also called White Burgundy, Chablis, Meursault

The world’s favorite white comes in two styles: rich and buttery (oaked) or crisp and minerally (unoaked, like Chablis). Both are great with seafood and creamy dishes.

BodyLightFull
SweetnessDrySweet
AciditySoftCrisp
TanninSmoothGrippy
AlcoholLowHigh
Tastes likeyellow apple, lemon, pineapple, butter, vanilla and toast (oak)
Alcohol12.5-14.5%
Serve at48-55°F (9-13°C)
GlassWhite wine glass (wider for oaked)
Decant?No
What to payGood bottles from $12; top Burgundy $50+

Chardonnay is a chameleon. The grape itself is fairly neutral, so winemaking decides the style: oak barrels and malolactic fermentation give the rich, buttery California style; stainless steel gives crisp, lemony Chablis.

Best food with Chardonnay

SeafoodLobster Chardonnay · Champagne · Viognier PoultryRoast chicken Chardonnay · Pinot Noir · Gamay (Beaujolais) SeafoodCrab & crab cakes Chardonnay · Albariño · Champagne Italian & takeoutFettuccine Alfredo & creamy pasta Chardonnay · Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris · Chenin Blanc SeafoodWhite fish (cod, halibut, sole) Sauvignon Blanc · Albariño · Chardonnay PoultryThanksgiving turkey Pinot Noir · Gamay (Beaujolais) · Riesling

Oaked vs unoaked

  • Oaked (much of California, Meursault): ripe apple, pineapple, butter, vanilla, toast. Rich and creamy.
  • Unoaked (Chablis, “unoaked” on US labels): green apple, lemon, wet stone. Crisp and lean.

Food it loves

Oaked Chardonnay is the classic with lobster and butter, creamy pastas and roast chicken. Unoaked styles love oysters, white fish and goat cheese.

Buying tips

  • Under $15: Chile, Australia, Mâcon-Villages (unoaked Burgundy value).
  • Step up: Sonoma Coast, Oregon, Chablis Premier Cru.
  • Splurge: Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet.

Where it’s grown

Burgundy (incl. Chablis) California Oregon Australia Chile

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If you like Chardonnay, try…

Full-bodied aromatic whiteViognier apricot · peach · honeysuckle · orange blossom · vanilla Medium white, dry to sweetChenin Blanc quince · yellow apple · honey · chamomile · lanolin Light whitePinot Grigio / Pinot Gris lemon · green apple · pear · almond · white flowers Light, crisp whiteAlbariño lime · nectarine · grapefruit · sea salt · white flowers