10 Best Chardonnay wines of 2026: an insider guide
Chardonnay is a versatile and beloved white wine produced worldwide, with climate and winemaking style determining the tasting notes. In this guide, we introduce you to this year’s best Chardonnay wines, key producers and ideal food pairings. Our 5/5 pick: Domaine Jacques Prieur Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022.
10 Best Chardonnay wine picks
Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru – Domaine Jacques Prieur 2022
Burgundy, France
Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru – Vincent Girardin 2021
Burgundy, France
Les Folatièrs Premier Cru – Pierre Girardin 2023
Burgundy, France
Les Poruzots Premier Cru – François Mikulski 2023
Burgundy, France
One-Sixteen Chardonnay – Kosta Browne 2021
California, US
Vaudésir Chablis Grand Cru – Louis Moreau 2020
Burgundy, France
En Remilly Premier Cru – Joseph Colin 2021
Burgundy, France
Didacus Chardonnay – Planeta 2023
Sicily, Italy
Monteriolo Chardonnay – Coppo 2023
Piedmont, Italy
Avni Chardonnay – Lingua Franca 2022
Oregon, US
In the selection above, you’ll find what we consider the 10 best Chardonnays in the UK, selected from different regions and winemaking methods. We have handpicked creamy oaked and fresh unoaked expressions so that you can experience how dramatically Chardonnay changes depending on the winemaking technique. Our top pick is the 2022 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru by Domaine Jacques Prieur, rated 5/5 and available to buy online in the UK for £417. This grand cru wine is the result of meticulous craftsmanship, steep and chalky terroir and a sunny vintage, which yielded a creamy and structured white wine with intense minerality. Read on to explore the unique characteristics of the different Chardonnay styles.
Chardonnay white wine at a glance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Grape Variety | 100% Chardonnay |
| Origin | Burgundy, France. Now grown worldwide, especially by winemakers in California, Italy, England, New Zealand and Australia. |
| Serving Temperature | Unoaked: 7-10°C Oaked: 10-13°C |
| Decanting | Usually not necessary, but aged oaked Chardonnay can benefit from brief decanting or aeration for 30 to 60 minutes. |
| Aging Potential | Best enjoyed young, but complex styles can age 5 to 20+ years. |
| Flavor Profile | Lemon, apple, peach, vanilla bean. Flavours of butter, coconut and toast are added with oak ageing. |
| Structure | Medium to high acidity, little to no tannins, body ranges from light to full, depending on ageing. |
| Alcohol Content | Ranges from 12% to 15% |
| Ideal Glass | Universal white wine glass, aroma collector glass for oaked expressions. |
| Food Pairing | Baked chicken breast, soft cheeses, risotto, pork tenderloin, seafood. |
| Top Regions | Burgundy (France), Chablis (France), California (USA), Oregon (USA), (Marlborough) New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Australia. |
| Notable Producers | Albert Bichot (France), Domaine Serene (France), Jean-Marc Brocard (France), Joseph Drouhin (France), Marcassin (California), Vincent Dauvissat (France). |
Chardonnay white wine’s taste profile is extremely versatile due to the range of winemaking techniques and regional differences, resulting in some Chardonnays being crisp and unoaked (mainly produced in cool climates like French Chablis) and some others in full bodied, buttery and oaked types (produced in moderate climate regions such as California).
Regardless of the climate, here is what you can generally expect from a glass of Chardonnay white wine:
- Fruit flavours of lemon, apple, pineapple, pear, berries and citrus.
- Acidity that ranges from medium for unoaked versions to high for oaked versions.
- A relatively dry taste, although its fruity nature and oak ageing can create a sense of sweetness.
What is Chardonnay wine and how is it made?
- Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a globally popular white wine crafted from grapes of the same name, which originated from Burgundy in France. It is very versatile, producing flavours that range from crisp and mineral driven in cool climates, to rich and buttery oak aged expressions in warmer regions. ABV: 12% to 15%.
Chardonnay wine is a dry white wine produced from the similarly named green skinned grape variety all over the world. The grape itself is neutral and it can take on different personalities depending on the terroir and winemaking technique. There are two major ways of vinifying Chardonnays, namely the oaked and unoaked methods.
Let’s have a look at how white Chardonnay wine is made:
- Grapes are handpicked at different levels of ripening, according to the style of wine: earlier for fresher and high acidic Chardonnay and later for richer and fuller styles.
- Most Chardonnay producers destem the grapes before pressing in order to remove unwanted bitterness, but others choose to press whole clusters (stems + grapes) to obtain a clearer juice with lower phenolics (often in high quality productions in Burgundy or Champagne).
- Pressing is the next step and is crucial in separating the clear juice from the solids (grape skins and seeds). The juice is separated quickly from the skins to avoid the release of too much colour or tannins.
- Fermentation can happen in stainless steel tanks (for lean and mineral Chardonnay styles) or in oak barrels to add complexity. Winemakers may choose to use cultured yeasts for a controlled result or rely on wild or native yeasts to guide a more spontaneous fermentation.
- Oaked Chardonnay often undergoes full malolactic fermentation (MLF), adding buttery and creamy notes to the wine. Unoaked Chardonnay usually blocks or limits MLF to keep freshness and citrusy acidity.
- Lees stirring or bâtonage (only for oaked versions): winemakers perform a stirring of dead yeast cells to add body and nutty brioche aromas, increasing the creamy mouthfeel of the wine.
- Ageing: unoaked Chardonnay ages briefly in stainless steel or other neutral tanks to keep a crisp and clean profile; oaked Chardonnay matures from 6 to 18+ months in oak barrels (French or American) to add vanilla, spice and brioche flavours.
- After ageing, Chardonnay wine goes through fining and filtration, a process needed to remove unwanted particles that could make the wine cloudy or unstable (for example, proteins or dead yeast).
- Bottling of the wine is done shortly after it has been clarified and filtered. Tiny amounts of sulfites are added to protect against oxidation and spoilage.
Chardonnay is typically consumed young, but oak ageing and standout vintages can extend the bottle ageing potential up to 20 years.
| Stage | Unoaked Chardonnay | Oaked Chardonnay |
|---|---|---|
| Fermentation | Stainless steel or concrete (neutral, cool temps) | Often in oak barrels (can also start in a tank, then move to oak) |
| Malolactic Fermentation (MLF) | Usually blocked or partial, keeps acidity crisp | Almost always allowed, gives a buttery, creamy texture |
| Aging Vessel | Neutral (steel, concrete, large old vats) | Oak barrels (French = subtle, American = bold) |
| Lees Contact (Bâtonnage) | Minimal or none | Common, stirred to add creaminess and nutty notes |
| Aging Time | Short (months, not years) | Longer (6–18 months, sometimes more) |
| Flavor Profile | Crisp, clean, fruity (apple, pear, lemon, mineral) | Rich, full bodied, layered (peach, mango, butter, vanilla, toast) |
| Style Examples | Chablis (France), cool climate New World styles | Burgundy (Côte de Beaune), California, Australia |
Oaked vs unoaked Chardonnay and other Chardonnay styles
There are three distinct styles of Chardonnay wine, each with a unique taste profile and structure. They are a result of different winemaking choices (oaked vs unoaked Chardonnay or sparkling), which influence the wine’s final character and texture.
- Oaked Chardonnay is rich, buttery and full bodied, characteristic of the wines produced using malolactic fermentation and lees stirring to add roundness and depth. Oaked Chardonnay is mostly produced in warmer climates where grapes achieve fuller ripeness, such as California’s Sonoma County, Chile’s Casablanca Valley and some parts of Italy.
- Unoaked Chardonnay is more mineral, citrusy and floral. Here, the winemakers highlight the grape’s natural brightness, preserving a leaner profile and mineral notes through fermentation in stainless steel tanks. These wines are often produced in cooler climates such as Chablis, the Loire Valley or Coastal New Zealand.
- Sparkling Chardonnay is made from grapes that are picked a bit earlier to retain higher acidity, which is essential for the freshness and longevity of sparkling production. The most famous examples of sparkling wines made with Chardonnay grapes are Champagne, Franciacorta (Italy) and other sparkling productions from California and England. Champagne wine styles made entirely from 100% Chardonnay grapes (i.e. not blended with other varieties) are called Blanc de Blancs.
| Style | Flavor Profile | Texture & Structure | Main Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oaked Chardonnay | Ripe stone fruit (peach, apricot), tropical fruit (pineapple, mango), vanilla, butter, brioche | Full bodied, creamy, often buttery with a long finish | Sonoma County (California), Napa Valley, Chile (Casablanca, Limarí), Northern Italy, Australia (Margaret River) |
| Unoaked Chardonnay | Green apple, pear, citrus (lemon, lime), floral hints, mineral/steely notes | Light to medium bodied; crisp, fresh, zesty acidity | Chablis, Loire Valley, coastal New Zealand, Oregon, South Africa (Elgin, Hemel-en-Aarde) |
| Sparkling Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs) | Citrus zest, green apple, white flowers, brioche, almond and honey with lees ageing | Lively mousse, high acidity, elegant and structured, age worthy | Champagne (France), Franciacorta (Italy), England (Sussex, Kent), California (Carneros, Sonoma Coast) |
Best oaked Chardonnay wines to delight your palate
Oaked, creamy and buttery Chardonnay is a complex white wine that pairs effortlessly with equally rich and creamy dishes such as chicken pot pie or creamy pasta. It is a cherished favourite among wine lovers worldwide, commonly produced by winemakers in Europe, California and other moderate climates. See our recommended Chardonnay wines in oaked styles, together with their tasting notes and vintage years.
Chassagne-Montrachet – Olivier Leflaive 2023 – Burgundy, France
Les Longeroies – Domaine Bruno Clair 2023 – Burgundy, France
Baron Salvadori Riserva – Nals Margreid 2023 – South Tyrol, Italy
The best unoaked Chardonnay wines according to Wines Curated
Unoaked Chardonnay is often misunderstood as “simpler” than its oaked counterpart, but in truth, it’s one of the purest expressions of the grape. If what you prefer is a white wine with pure mineral, floral flavours, and incredibly food friendly, here are our recommendations for what we consider to be some of the best unoaked Chardonnay wines:
Vaillons Premier Cru – Louis Moreau 2023 – Burgundy, France
Ronco Acacie Chardonnay – Le Vigne di Zamò 2021 – Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Fortis Petit Chablis – Patrick Piuze 2023 – Burgundy, France
Blanc de Blancs and other sparkling Chardonnay wines
Sparkling Chardonnay wine, also known as Blanc de Blancs if made entirely of Chardonnay grapes, is crafted by subjecting the already made wine to a second fermentation in wine bottles. This second fermentation creates a delicate and elegant stream of bubbles in the wine, with a taste profile varying widely depending on whether the wine was in stainless steel or oak barrels before being bottled. Wine aged in stainless steel emphasises crisp citrus, green apple and floral notes while those matured in oak barrels gain a creamy and brioche like complexity. Check out 3 sparkling Chardonnay wines that we consider outstanding:
Brut Blanc de Blancs – Ruinart – Champagne, France
Milledì Brut – Ferghetina 2022 – Lombardy, Italy
Prestige Brut Chardonnay – Maison Moillard 2021 – Burgundy, France
This versatility makes sparkling Chardonnay wines a favourite among wine lovers, pairing beautifully with the elegant cuisine of seafood and caviar or simply as a celebratory drink on its own.
Chardonnay wine price explained: what is the cost of a bottle?
Chardonnay wine prices cover a wide range from affordably priced bottles to luxury expressions worth thousands of dollars. These numbers are determined by a very variegated mix of factors, including:
- The terroir and specific location where the grapes are grown, as certain appellations like Chablis AOC are renowned for higher quality wines.
- The vintage year also determines the quality of the grapes, as wines produced from exceptional vintage years have impressive ageing potential and may cost more.
- The winemaking method also influences the price tag attached to the bottle of Chardonnay wine (oaked versions or Blanc de Blancs result in higher production costs due to the high cost of barrels, labor intensive vinification and ageing time).
- High quality Chardonnay brands with limited production and a reputation for excellence usually come with a higher price tag.
Here is a table with some of the best Chardonnays for various price brackets, their expert ratings and tasting notes.
1. Entry Level Chardonnay: ‘61 Blanc de Blancs – Berlucchi 2018 – Italy
2. Mid Tier Chardonnay: Napa Valley Chardonnay – Robert Mondavi Winery 2021 – California, US
3. Single Vineyard: Les Charmes Premier Cru – Pierre Girardin 2021 – France
4. Prestige Collector Bottles: Les Pierrières Blanc de Blancs – Ulysse Collin 2016 – France
Most expensive Chardonnay bottles worth collecting
Chardonnay might be a globally loved wine, but only a handful of bottles achieve a “collectable” status. For seasoned collectors, collectable Chardonnay bottles represent a statement of provenance, rarity and long term investment. At a 2023 Sotheby’s auction, a 9 litre case of 2007 Leroy Domaine d’Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet took the world by storm when it was auctioned off for a little more than $240,000 (approximately £120,000 based on the exchange rates in 2007). The sale, made by renowned wine and art collector Pierre Chen, highlighted Chen’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost collectors but also underscored the rising stature of Chardonnay in the collectors’ market. While Burgundy’s Pinot Noirs (particularly from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti) have traditionally dominated the auction stage, this record reinforced that white Burgundy can command equal prestige.
What makes white Chardonnay wines worth collecting?
- Limited releases from reputable brands.
- Elite single vineyard expressions crafted with utmost care.
- Oaked styles with exceptional ageing potential.
Here are our recommendations for the most expensive Chardonnay wine bottles worth adding to your collection:
Giulio Riserva del Fondatore (1.5 L) – Ferrari 2010 – Trentino, Italy
La Croix Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru – Pierre Girardin 2021 – Burgundy, France
Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru – Douhairet-Porcheret 2022 – Burgundy, France
Best Chardonnay wine vintage years
The best Chardonnay vintage years vary by region due to their widespread cultivation. The wine’s primary taste profile is deeply influenced by terroir and climate, so each vintage is different depending on local conditions. Here are some great vintage years for Chardonnay wine and why experts consider them to be special:
| Vintage | Best Chardonnay Wine | Rating | Tasting Notes | Vintage Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | A26 Chardonnay – Marchesi Antinori – California, US | 5/5 | It is medium to full bodied on the palate, with balanced acidity, roundness and refined notes of white peach, Meyer lemon and marzipan. | An excellent vintage in California resulted in highly aromatic wines, balanced acidity and freshness. |
| 2019 | Les Champlots Premier Cru – Joseph Colin 2019 – Burgundy, France | 5/5 | Medium bodied with silky texture and lively acidity, as well as notes of green apple, orange zest, white flowers and subtle spice and cream. | Wines with deep spice and fruit flavours resulting from warmer weather, a perfect year in Burgundy. |
| 2017 | Brut Blanc de Blancs – Louis Roederer 2017 – Champagne, France | 4.9/5 | Refined bouquet of white flowers, jasmine and orange blossom, accompanied by chalky hints, salinity and a smooth and bright finish. | Wines from this vintage show well balanced flavours and acidity with exceptional ageing potential. |
| 2014 | Brut Blanc de Blancs – Vollereaux 2014 – Champagne, France | 4.9/5 | Elegant and fine, with initial notes of citrus and yellow fruit, followed by a lively acidity and brioche aromas. | A standout vintage with generous wines that display great depth of structure. |
3 Smart tips to enjoy the Chardonnay white wines as a beginner
Even the best Chardonnay wines are beginner friendly thanks to their refreshing taste. If you are someone who is just discovering Chardonnay wines, the first and most important tip is to understand its different styles and find which one you prefer.
Here are three additional tips to enjoy Chardonnay white wines like a pro:
- Start with both oaked and unoaked styles. Comparing the two will help you understand the grape’s incredible variety.
- Select bottles that are under 5 years old at first, adding more aged versions once you understand the flavours.
- Choose the right food pairings: think light seafood dishes for unoaked Chardonnay and richer creamy pasta for oaked versions.
- Serve at the right temperature: oaked Chardonnay should be slightly chilled, between 10-13°C and unoaked Chardonnay slightly warmer, between 7-10°C.
Chardonnay wine glass guide: unlock the perfect flavour
The right Chardonnay wine glasses are crucial to serving and savouring the wine at its best, as the shape of the glass significantly influences how the wine tastes and feels. The choice will depend much on the wine’s style. For oaked versions, a glass with a large, rounded bowl is perfect for enhancing texture and flavour, highlighting complex aromas of vanilla, butter and ripe fruits. Mineral driven unoaked expressions benefit from narrow white wine glasses that can preserve their acidity and crispness. To enjoy sparkling Chardonnay and Blanc de Blancs, serve in a Champagne coupe to better appreciate the wine’s delicate aroma and flavours or in a flute to showcase the bubbles and keep them from escaping.
Here is a recommendation for the best high end Chardonnay wine glasses for every style, conveniently available to buy in the UK:
Sophienwald White Wine Glasses (225 mm, 420 ml)
France: the hometown of the best Chardonnay wines
Chardonnay grapes grow in vineyards worldwide, but they originated from Burgundy, France. France sets the global standard for this wine type, with the best Chardonnay wine bottles on the international market almost always coming from its vineyards.
French Chardonnay wines are produced in:
- Burgundy (Côte de Beaune and Mâconnais): known for premium expressions of Chardonnay that are considered benchmark wines, with deep flavour concentrations and high alcohol levels. Bourgogne Chardonnay is grown in eight grand cru vineyards (mainly in the villages of Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet), producing bottles that are regularly sold at record prices.
- Chablis (Northern Burgundy): an AOC region located in the northern part of Burgundy, Chardonnay is the only permitted grape variety in the wines of this region. Characterised by a pure and biting acidity, Chablis wines rarely undergo oak ageing or malolactic fermentation. Village wines are best young, but Premier Cru and Grand Cru can age beautifully for over 10 years.
- Champagne: Chardonnay is one of the key grapes of Champagne and the sole grape allowed in the Blanc de Blancs versions. Iconic Champagne houses and growers produce Blanc de Blancs that rival Burgundy’s still wines in prestige and collectability.
- Languedoc-Roussillon: it is France’s largest wine region and produces Chardonnay in warmer conditions that bring out ripe tropical fruit notes and softer acidity. While most Chardonnay from this region is made for early drinking, certain higher altitude vineyards are producing increasingly refined examples.
- Alsace is a minor player for good Chardonnay wines in France, but the grape is used in sparkling wine blends vinified with the champenoise method, particularly in the Crémant d’Alsace, where it contributes to freshness and structure. These wines are more affordable alternatives to Champagne but are gaining recognition for quality.
Good to know: AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is an official certification system in France that protects and defines the origin and quality of wines. It sets strict rules on where the grapes are grown, which varieties can be used and how the wine is made. For example, a wine labelled Chablis AOC must come from the Chablis region and be made from 100% Chardonnay following specific winemaking regulations.
English Chardonnay and sparkling wines
Chardonnay is the cornerstone of English sparkling wine, as it is the most popular grape variety in England. It accounts for over one third of vines planted, with most production taking place in the Southern regions of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex. It is valued for its structure and ageing potential. Top examples are high in acidity, with racy citrus and crisp flavours of orchard fruit.
Historically, English winemakers have taken advantage of the cool climate and chalky limestone soils to cultivate elegant Chardonnays with laser acidity that make great sparkling wines. Today, the warmer summers allow them to craft premium white wines, which are often aged in oak. English Chardonnay producers experiment with Burgundy clones and winemaking techniques like malolactic fermentation and lees stirring to create complex white wines, with a focus on organic and biodynamic farming.
The best Chardonnay wine from the US: California vineyards
Despite several US wine regions cultivating the grape, the best Chardonnay wines produced in the US come from California. The Chardonnay grapes thrive in its warmer climates and the wine style here is noticeably different from that in France. Californian winemakers make conscious decisions (such as stainless steel vs. oak, blocking or encouraging malolactic fermentation, extended lees ageing or not) to tailor wines from lean and mineral to rich and opulent. Leading regions for Chardonnay production include Sonoma County, Napa Valley and Santa Barbara County.
How to serve Chardonnay white wine
The key to serving Chardonnay white wine like a pro is to understand the wine style. Once you can tell if it’s oaked or unoaked, then you can enjoy it to the fullest. Here are some helpful tips:
- Serve oaked Chardonnay between 10-13°C and unoaked Chardonnay between 7-10°C.
- Use the appropriate wine glass to enhance its flavour and rich profile (refer to our glass guide above).
- Decanting is not always necessary, but oaked versions can benefit from brief aeration for 30 to 60 minutes.
Food pairing essentials for the perfect Chardonnay wines
While there are no strict rules for pairing Chardonnay wine, as taste preferences are personal, generally oaked versions are perfect for rich dishes, while lighter styles go down easily with seafood and lighter foods.
Our top pairings include:
- Light meats and poultry dishes such as baked chicken breast, roast pork and duck confit.
- Seafood, including pan seared scallops, lobster and oysters
- Rich and creamy dishes, like risotto, fettuccine Alfredo and gnocchi
Below, we have come up with a few Chardonnay wine pairing suggestions to enjoy this great wine at its best.
| Chardonnay Wine Food Pairing | Best Chardonnay Wine | Rating | Aged | Type & Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baked chicken breast with tarragon, roast pork, duck confit and poached turkey breast | Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru – Domaine Jacques Prieur 2022 – Burgundy, France | 5/5 | 2-3 years ABV 13.5% | High tension, peppery, sapid finish |
| Pan seared scallops, lobster, sushi, oysters | Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru – Vincent Girardin 2021 – Burgundy, France | 5/5 | 1-2 years ABV 13.5% | Medium to full bodied, racy acidity, saline |
| Butternut squash risotto, fettuccine Alfredo, gnocchi with brown butter | Les Folatièrs Premier Cru – Pierre Girardin 2023 – Burgundy, France | 4.9/5 | 2-3 years ABV 13.5% | Soft and full textured, complex, persistent finish |
| Goat cheese and mild cheeses such as Brie, Fontina and Ricotta | Les Poruzots Premier Cru – François Mikulski 2023 – Burgundy, France | 4.9/5 | 2-3 years ABV 13.5% | Subtle, juicy and silky |
| Green peas, white beans, Zucchini | One-Sixteen Chardonnay – Kosta Browne 2021 – California, US | 4.8/5 | 2-3 years ABV 13.5% | Medium to full bodied, fragrant, mineral |
How we rate Chardonnay wine
Every Chardonnay wine that we recommend to you has been tasted and scored by our editorial team independently, with no exception. We are deliberately selective; we rarely pick wines that score less than 4.6 out of 5 and every bottle that makes the cut has earned its place on merit alone.
We work with a 50 point scoring system, which we convert into the 5 point scale that you see:
- 5 = Exceptional
- 4 = Excellent
- 3 = Very Good
- 2 = Good
- 1 = Fair
What actually goes into the score?
- Appearance (up to 5 points): we’re evaluating clarity, depth of colour and brightness, the first clues about the story the wine has to tell.
- Aroma & bouquet (up to 15 points): we’re assessing the wine’s intensity, layered complexity and flaw free nose that makes you want to keep going back.
- Flavour & palate (up to 20 points): acidity, tannin, alcohol and mouthfeel all need to be working together in harmony.
- Overall impression (up to 10 points): how does it all come together? We’re thinking about harmony, typicity and the length of the finish.
We also assess every Chardonnay wine by considering two additional criteria:
- Climate influence: cool climate Chardonnays should be crisp, lean and high acid with green fruit notes, while warm climate expressions are fuller bodied with tropical fruit aromas.
- Structure: depending on whether it is oaked or unoaked, there should be a balance between the creamy texture, acidity and fruit notes.
One last note from us: our scores reflect our palates, our tasting conditions and our honest opinions about a given bottle, nothing more, nothing less. We encourage you to read the tasting notes first to help you find a wine that you will truly love.
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FAQs on Best Chardonnay wine
Should Chardonnay wine be chilled?
Yes, Chardonnay wine can be served slightly chilled before drinking. The average temperature for serving oaked Chardonnay is somewhere between 10-12°C, while creamy unoaked Chardonnay styles may be served slightly warmer between 7-10°C. A quick pop in your wine cooler or fridge is enough to enhance the aromatics and flavour profile of Chardonnay.
What kind of wine glasses should you use for Chardonnay?
The appropriate wine glasses for Chardonnay vary for each style. A narrow, universal white wine glass can be used to serve crisp and unoaked versions, as its flute like body will enhance the young wine flavours. On the other hand, a Burgundy style wine glass is ideal for enjoying the richer texture of an oaked Chardonnay. Sparkling Chardonnays and Blanc de Blancs can benefit from wider style flutes that preserve their bubbles or rounded coupes that allow optimum appreciation of delicate flavours.
What is the best Chardonnay wine?
The best Chardonnay wine for each person is different, depending on their taste and style preferences. You can check out our top 10 expert rated wine bottles, including both oaked and unoaked expressions. Domaine Jacques Prieur 2022 and Vincent Girardin 2021 are the prime expressions of Chardonnay that made it to the top of our list, both of them representing the finest wines from the Corton-Charlemagne region.
What are Chardonnay wine prices?
Due to its status as a widely coveted wine that is produced in different regions globally, the Chardonnay wine prices can range from less than £50 to thousands. Factors influencing the price of a bottle include the terroir, winemaker's reputation and ageing techniques. Some highly collectable bottles have been sold at auctions for price tags as high as $200,000 (equivalent to £120,000). Have a look at our recommended bottles for the best Chardonnay offers in the UK.
Is Chardonnay wine produced in France?
Yes, Chardonnay wine is produced in France, as well as in Italy, California, Oregon, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and other vineyards worldwide. It is an easy to cultivate grape with a taste profile that takes on the nature of the terroir and climate where it was grown.
How long does Chardonnay last once open in the fridge?
Once open in the fridge, a bottle of Chardonnay can last for 3 to 5 days. To make sure that your wine maintains its freshness and zippy acidity, replace the cork after serving the drink and store it standing vertically so that the drink doesn't spill.
Is Chardonnay a dry white wine?
Yes, Chardonnay is a white wine and it is dry. It is produced from green skinned grapes of the same variety. The wine taste profile and structure can range from oaked, rich and full bodied to crisp, mineral driven styles that were fermented in stainless steel vats. Common tasting notes are floral, citrus and white fruits.
What is Chardonnay’s alcohol content?
Chardonnay’s alcohol content typically ranges between 12 % to 15%, with oaked versions falling in the upper ranges. The process of oak ageing softens the wine's acidity as more oxygen passes through and this ensures that the richer, creamier Chardonnays have less acidity than the more mineral styles.
What are the best Chardonnay wine brands?
The best Chardonnay wine brands include Albert Bichot (France), Domaine Serene (France), Jean-Marc Brocard (France), Joseph Drouhin (France), Marcassin (California) and Vincent Dauvissat (France). These brands are renowned worldwide for their commitment to producing high quality Chardonnay in various styles.
How many calories are in a bottle of Chardonnay?
A standard 750 ml bottle of Chardonnay typically contains 600 to 635 calories, depending on its sugar and alcohol content. The higher its alcohol by volume, the higher its number of calories. A Chardonnay with 14% ABV may have roughly 625 calories, while an 11.5% ABV Chardonnay will contain fewer.
