W3 Wine School

Chardonnay (France)
"Bourgogne Blanc"

Chardonnay originates from Burgundy in France.

A common name is Bourgogne Blanc or White Burgundy.

Chardonnay Flavors

Citrus, Apple, Pear, and Peach are typical Chardonnay flavors.

Notes of White Flowers, Honey, and Flinty Minerals.

Citrus
Citrus
Apple
Apple
Pear
Pear
Peach
Peach
Pineapple
Pineapple
Flowers
Flowers
Honey
Honey
Flint
Flint

Tertiary Flavors from Aging:

Oak
Oak
Butter
Butter
Croissant
Croissant
Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts

Profile

Chardonnay is most often full bodied, with good fruit and medium acidity.

SUGAR:Dry 3g/l
BODY:Full
FRUIT:Medium Plus
ACIDITY:Medium
ALCOHOL:12-13% ABV
Temperature Serving temperature:
10-12°C (50-54°F)

Chardonnay Food Pairing

Chardonnay is very food friendly.

It pairs well with Creamy or Buttery Food.

Antipasti
Finger Food
Vegetables
Grilled
Vegetables
Pasta
Creamy
Pasta
Risotto
Risotto
Fish
Fish
Salmon
Salmon
Chicken
Chicken
Pork
Pork

Excellent Pairings

Roasted Vegetables. Pumpkins.
Mushrooms. Onions. Garlic.
Anything in a Creamy or Buttery Sauce.
Pasta in Creamy Sauce. Fish Pasta.
Risotto and Rice Dishes.
Lobster or Salmon with Drawn Butter.
Chicken and Poultry in Creamy Sauce.
Pork and Veal in Creamy Sauce.
Rich Fish Soup. Fish Cakes. Tuna.
Hazelnuts. Cashew. Pecans. Coconut.

The Ideal Glass for Chardonnay

The Chardonnay Glass was designed for enjoying full-bodied white wines. They have a wider bowl and a tapered top to enhance the buttery and oaky notes found in aged wines.

The wide bowl steers the wine to the sensitive parts of the tongue, ensuring that the acidity creates a harmonious balance with the sweet aromas of the wine.

The wide bowl allows the full bouquet of aromas to develop. It also reduces the risk for over-concentrated aromas.

Chardonnay Cheese Pairing

Brie or Camembert

These creamy, rich cheeses complement the full, round mouthfeel of a full-bodied Chardonnay. The buttery flavors in both the wine and the cheese enhance each other beautifully.

Gruyère and Comté

The nutty, slightly sweet flavors of these cheeses pair well with the complex fruit and oak characteristics of a full-bodied white wine. The firm cheese texture adds a pleasant contrast to the richness of the wine.

Munster And Époisses

A rich and pungent washed-rind cheese provides a bold contrast to the refinement of a full-bodied Chardonnay.

Aged Gouda

Aged Gouda, with its caramel and butterscotch notes, matches the depth and complexity of a full-bodied Chardonnay. The wine’s acidity helps balance the cheese’s rich flavors.

Havarti

The creamy and mild flavor of Havarti pairs well with the rich and buttery texture of a full-bodied Chardonnay, making for a delightful and balanced pairing.

Aged Cheeses

The crystalline texture and savory, nutty flavor of aged chesses will complement the undertones of a full-bodied Chardonnay.

If You Like Chardonnay

You May Also Like:

Cassis (France)
Catarratto (Italy)
Chardonnay (France)
Condrieu (France)
Garnacha Blanca (Spain)
Grenache Blanche (France)
Marsanne (France)
Pinot Blanc (France)
Rioja White Oaked (Spain)
Rosazzo (Italy)
Roussanne (France)
Sémillon (France)
Trajadura (Portugal)
Treixadura (Spain)
Viognier (France)

The Chardonnay Grape

Chardonnay

Chardonnay, the world's most popular white wine grape, was born in the Burgundy region of France.

It thrives in a range of climates, from cool to warm, each imparting distinct characteristics to the wine.

Read more ...

Chardonnay Regions

Flags

In cooler regions, Chardonnay exhibits flavors of green apple, pear, and citrus, accompanied by high acidity and a crisp finish.

Warmer climates bring out richer, more tropical fruit notes like pineapple, mango, and peach, often with a fuller body.

Read more ...

Chardonnay Profiles

Chardonnay's profile can be further influenced by winemaking techniques.

Oak aging introduces flavors of vanilla, butter, and toast, adding complexity and a creamy texture.

Stainless steel fermentation preserves its bright, fruit-forward nature.

Bourgogne (Burgundy)

Burgundy

Burgundy

Black Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon

34% Pinot Noir
10% Gamay

White Grapes

Sauvignon

50% Chardonnay
  6% Aligoté

Red Wines 30%

Red Wine

Pinot Noir
Red Burgundy
Gamay

Sparkling 10%

Crémant

White Wines 60%

White Wine

Chardonnay
Aligoté
Chablis
Petit Chablis
Meursault
Montrachet
Pouilly-Fuissé

Soil

Soil

Limestone and Clay
Varying Marl, Gravel, and Sand

Climate

Soil

Semi-continental
Hot and Sunny Summers
Long and Cold Winters
Springtime Frost


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