10 Best Chardonnay white wines : 2025 insider guide 

Chardonnay wine picks

In the table above, you’ll find what we consider the 10 best Chardonnay wines selected from different regions and winemaking methods. We have handpicked creamy oaked and fresh unoaked expressions just for your drinking pleasure. 

Chardonnay white wine taste 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: 45-50°F (7-10°C) Oaked: 50-55°F (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. Flavors of butter, coconut and toast are added with oak aging.
Structure	Medium to high acidity, little to no tannins, body ranges from light to full, depending on aging.
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 and oaked types (produced in moderate climate regions such as California).

Regardless of the climate, here is what you can expect from a glass of Chardonnay wine:

• Fruit flavors of lemon, apple, pineapple, pear, berries and citrus.
• Acidity that ranges from medium to high, for oaked and unoaked versions, respectively. 
• A relatively dry taste, although its fruity nature and oak aging can create a sense of sweetness.

What is Chardonnay wine and how is it made?

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 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 color 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 Chardonannay 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.
• Aging: 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 flavors.
• After aging 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 aging and standout vintages can extend the bottle aging 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 tank, then move to oak)
Malolactic Fermentation (MLF)	Usually blocked or partial, keeps acidity crisp	Almost always allowed, gives 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: what are the styles of Chardonnay wine?

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.

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 aging	Lively mousse, high acidity, elegant and structured, age worthy	Champagne (France), Franciacorta (Italy), England (Sussex, Kent), California (Carneros, Sonoma Coast)

Top oaked Chardonnay wines to delight your palate  

Creamy and buttery, oaked 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 favorite among wine lovers worldwide, commonly produced by winemakers in Europe, California and other moderate climates. See 3 of our top oaked Chardonnay wine recommendations together with their tasting notes and vintage years.

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 flavors and incredibly food friendly, here are our recommendations for what we consider to be some of the best unoaked Chardonnay wines:

Blanc de Blancs and other sparkling Chardonnays 

Sparkling Chardonnay wine is crafted by subjecting the already made wine to a second fermentation in wine bottles. The taste profile can range from oaky to crisp depending on whether the wine was in stainless steel or oak barrels before being bottled. 

Check out 3 sparkling Chardonnay wines that we consider outstanding:

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 aging 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 high cost of barrels, labor intensive vinification and aging time). 
• Chardonnays brands adhering to specific appellation with a reputation for quality may also command higher. 

Here is a table with some Chardonnay wine recommendations for various price brackets, their expert ratings and tasting notes.

1. 1. Ramey Russian River Chardonnay 2023, ABV 13.5% - California

   

   Year: 2023

   Tasting notes: Finely balanced between richness and delicacy with crushed rock minerality.

   From: $50.00

2. 2. William Fevre Chablis Montee de Tonnerre Premier Cru 2022, ABV 12.5% - France

   

   Year: 2022

   Tasting notes: Medium bodied and layered palate that reveals aromas of orchard fruit and wet stones.

   From: $100.00

3. 3. Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2022 - Louis Jadot, ABV 14% - France

   

   Year: 2022

   Tasting notes: Full bodied and intense with excellent aging potential and a lengthy finish.

   From: $500.00

4. 4. Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche Grand Cru 2022 - Joseph Drouhin, ABV 14% - France

   

   Year: 2022

   Tasting notes: Aromatic and dry with aromas of peach, pear and toasted nuts.

   From: $1,000.00

Most expensive Chardonnay bottles worth collecting

Chardonnay might be a globally loved wine but only a handful of bottles achieve a “collectible” status. For seasoned collectors, collectible Chardonnay bottles represent a statement of provenance, rarity and long term investment. At a 2023 Sotheby’s auction, a 9 liter 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. 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 Chardonnay wine worth collecting?

• Limited releases from reputable brands.
• Elite  single vineyard expressions crafted with utmost care.
• Oaked styles with exceptional aging potential.

Here are our recommendations for top most expensive Chardonnay bottles worth adding to your collection: 

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	Vintage Characteristics
2023	Chardonnay 2023 – Far Niente – California	An excellent vintage in California’s Sonoma County resulting in highly aromatic wines, balanced acidity and freshness.
2019	Chablis Valmur Grand Cru 2019 – J. Moreau & Fils – France	Wines with deep spice and fruit flavors resulting from warmer weather, a perfect year in Chablis.
2017	Chardonnay 2017 – Legacy – France	Wines from this vintage show well balanced flavors and acidity with exceptional aging potential.
2013	Chablis Vaillon Premier Cru 2013 – Daniel-Etienne Defaix – France	A standout vintage with generous wines that display great depth of structure.
1997	Bourgogne Blanc 1997 – Maison Leroy – France	Excellent harvest quality, mature fruits with enough hang time for flavor development.

3 Smart tips to enjoy Chardonnay as a beginner

Even the best Chardonnay wines are beginner friendly thanks to their refreshing taste. If you are someone who is just discovering the world of Chardonnay wines, the first and most important tip is to understand the different styles of Chardonnay and find which one you prefer. 

Here are three additional tips to enjoy Chardonnay 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 mor
• e aged versions once you understand the flavors. 
• 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 50-55°F and unoaked Chardonnay slightly warmer, between 45-50°F.

Here are two bottles to ease you into the world of Chardonnay as a beginner:

Chardonnay Style	Our Recommendation	Best to Pair with
Young Chardonnay (under 5 yrs)	Secret de Famille Chardonnay 2021 – Albert Bichot – France	Poached chicken with lemon butter sauce, salmon carpaccio, white bean soup.
Mature Chardonnay (5-10+ yrs)	St-Aubin Les Charmois Premier Cru 2015 – Marc Colin – France	Halibut with brown butter, fried chicken, creamy pasta primavera.

Chardonnay wine glass guide: unlock the perfect flavor!

The right Chardonnay wine glass is crucial to serving and savoring 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 flavor, 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 flavors or in a flute to showcase the bubbles and keep them from escaping.  

Here is a guide to the best Chardonnay wine glasses for every style:

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: 

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 labeled Chablis AOC must come from the Chablis region and be made from 100% Chardonnay following specific winemaking regulations.

Chardonnay from California: vineyards and producers

Despite several US wine regions cultivating the grape, the best Chardonnay wines produced in the US come from California. The Chardonnay grapes thrive in the warmer climates of California and the wine style here is noticeably different from that in France. Californian winemakers make conscious decisions (stainless steel vs. oak, blocking or encouraging malolactic fermentation, extended lees aging or not) to tailor wines from lean and mineral to rich and opulent.

Sonoma County is often regarded as the cradle of fine California Chardonnay. The Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast are cooled by Pacific fog, slowing ripening and preserving acidity. Wines here tend to be reminiscent of Burgundy in terms of texture and aroma. 

Napa Valley offers a warmer environment yielding Chardonnays that are rounder, fuller bodied and often more tropical in taste profile. Napa Valley Chardonnay tends to be richer and more immediate, though some estates balance power with restraint by sourcing grapes from higher altitude sites such as Mount Veeder.

Santa Barbara County has emerged as one of the most exciting Chardonnay regions thanks to its transverse valleys that funnel cool Pacific air inland. Many producers here experiment with minimal oak or partial malolactic fermentation giving wines a taut and structured profile.

Chardonnay is also widely cultivated in other US states including New York, Texas and Oregon, among others. The Dijon clones, introduced in Oregon in the ‘80s, are now popular and used in Chardonnay wines that present better acidity and balance.

💡 Fun fact: Dijon clones are special selections of Chardonnay vines originally from Burgundy (France) chosen for their ability to ripen evenly and produce wines with great balance and finesse. Today, they’re the backbone of many top Oregon Chardonnays where their precision and acidity shine in the cooler climate.

Comparing Chardonnay vs Chablis vs Sauvignon Blanc vs Pinot Grigio

Chardonnay, in all of its variegated forms and expressions, is often compared to other great white wines. Let’s have a look at some of the white wines and see how similar or different they are to Chardonnay:

• Chablis is lean, mineral driven and pure. It is an expression of 100% Chardonnay that is crafted strictly in the Chablis AOC of France. 
• Sauvignon Blanc: vibrantly acidic, zesty and clean resembles much unoaked Chardonnay styles. Sauvignon Blanc is produced from Sauvignon Blanc grapes and can occasionally be aged in oak to achieve a more rounded, lush style. 
• Pinot Grigio: a light bodied, crisp and dry Italian wine, it is known for its refreshing acidity and hints of minerality. Chardonnay can resemble Pinot Grigio in some of its expressions but is far more versatile, ranging from lean and mineral to rich and oaked, with greater aging potential.

Below are some of our favorite white wines comparable to Chardonnay, an overview of their taste structures and prime bottles to pair with your next meal.

Wine / Grape	Top Wine	Wine Style
Chablis	William Fevre Chablis Vaulorent Premier Cru 2022	Dry, light bodied and mineral, crisp flavors of citrus and pear are typical
Sauvignon Blanc	Lail Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc 2023	Dry and highly acidic, with characteristic herbaceous and tropical fruit notes
Pinot Grigio	Vie di Romans Dessimis Pinot Grigio 2022	Light bodied, high acidity and minerality with flavors of ripe apple and pear

How to serve Chardonnay

The key to serving Chardonnay 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 50-55°F and unoaked Chardonnay between 45-50°F.
• Use the appropriate wine glass to enhance its flavor and rich profile (refer to our glass guide above). 
• Decanting is not always necessary but oaked versions can benefit from brief aeration from 30 to 60 minutes. 

Food pairing essentials for the perfect Chardonnay wines

While there are no strict rules to pairing Chardonnay wine, as taste preferences are personal, generally oaked versions are perfect for rich dishes while lighter styles go down easy with seafood and lighter foods. Below we have come up with a few Chardonnay wine pairing suggestions to enjoy this great wine at its best.

Food	Best Chardonnay Wine	Aged	Type & Structure
Baked chicken breast with tarragon, roast pork, and poached turkey breast	Seven Springs Vineyards Summum Chardonnay 2022 – Evening Land Vineyards – California	1-2 years ABV 13%	Medium bodied palate with a gentle creaminess, bright acidity and a mineral finish
Pan seared scallops, lobster, sushi, oysters	Chablis Montmains Premier Cru 2020 – Jean et Sébastien Dauvissat – France	1-2 years ABV 14.99%	Pretty and ripe aromas including citrus confit, sea breeze and iodine
Butternut squash risotto, fettuccine Alfredo, gnocchi with brown butter	Russian River Chardonnay 2022 – Paul Hobbs – California	1-2 years ABV 14.3%	Delicate wine, with bright aromas of fresh citrus peel, apple and Asian pear
Goat cheese and mild cheeses such as Brie, Fontina and Ricotta	Pouilly-Fuissé Le Clos 2020 – Château Fuissé – France	1-3 years ABV 13.5%	Ripe flavors of vanilla, butterscotch, peach and toasty oak
Green peas, white beans, Zucchini	Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2021 – Joseph Drouhin – France	1-3 years ABV 13.5%	Well-balanced on the palate, notes of fresh almond, citrus, spices and honey