Top 4 Best Chardonnay Wines
One of the world’s most popular and versatile wines, chardonnay is hard to beat. But with such versatility, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the vast array of options at your fingertips. How do you choose the best chardonnay wine? And what should you be looking for in a chardonnay, anyway?
Keep reading to learn more about the different styles of chardonnay, as well as to find out which one might be on its way to becoming your new favorite.
What Is Chardonnay?
First things first: what is chardonnay, and what sets it apart from other wines?
Chardonnay is a white wine that is known for its diversity, versatility and range. No matter your wine preferences, there is probably a style of chardonnay that you’ll love. It’s a bit of a winemaker’s dream, as it offers both the ability to showcase the beauty of the land where its grapes were produced as well as the unique techniques and style of the winemaker.
Think of chardonnay as the Swiss army knife of the wine world – there’s a bottle to fit any need. Whether you’re looking for a crisp and refreshing wine in the summer or a creamy, comforting wine in the winter, there’s a chardonnay that fits the bill. And while it pairs beautifully with food, it can just as easily stand on its own.
While the taste of a bottle of chardonnay greatly depends on its style, chardonnay wines are generally very fruit-forward, ranging from notes of apple and pear to notes of lemon, peach and mango.
Old World vs. New World Chardonnay
When referencing Old World versus New World wines, much of the discussion comes down to winemaking tradition.
Old World Chardonnay originated in France, in the Burgundy wine region. Generally speaking, wines crafted in the Old World style tend to be higher in acidity and lower in alcohol content, with a light body and more minerality as opposed to the stronger fruit flavors.
New World Chardonnay , on the other hand, rose to popularity courtesy of countries like the United States and New Zealand. These chardonnays tend to be more strongly fruit-forward, with flavors ranging from tropical fruits all the way to creamy vanilla. These full-bodied wines, like many New World wines, have a higher alcohol content and lower acidity.
Oaked vs. Unoaked Chardonnay
When someone refers to a wine as being “oaked” or “unoaked”, they’re referring to whether the wine has been aged in oak barrels or in stainless steel tanks. This aging process contributes to the wine’s overall taste.
Oaked Chardonnay wines are rich, creamy and full-bodied. In addition to fruit flavors, oaked Chardonnay will display flavors of butter and vanilla.
Meanwhile, unoaked chardonnay wines are quite different. An unoaked chardonnay resembles sauvignon blanc in many ways, bright and crisp with high acidity. It’s a refreshing wine that may exhibit both fruit and mineral notes.
Discovering the Best Chardonnay Wine
With so many brilliant regions for chardonnay production to choose from, which are the best? Here are just a few of our favorites to get you started.
White Burgundy Chardonnay
The birthplace of chardonnay, winemakers across the globe have long since looked to Burgundy for winemaking inspiration, so it’s no wonder that White Burgundy Chardonnay is some of the finest in the world. These wines are light, fruity and acidic.
California Chardonnay
The most planted wine grape in California, chardonnay is a staple in the winemaking capital of America. California Chardonnay is the nation’s leading wine varietal, and both oaked and unoaked chardonnays take the stage for a wide variety of wines for all palates.
California is home to both buttery, oaky chardonnays, as well as chardonnay crafted in a more Burgundian style, such as Jordan Chardonnay, which results in a bright, acidic wine that’s very food-friendly. It all comes down to where the grapes are grown and the style of the wine producer.
Italian Chardonnay
Italian Chardonnay is typically crafted in the Old World style, and is known for being crisp and bright. It’s fresh and acidic, with citrus and orchard fruit flavors at the forefront.
Champagne Chardonnay
Did you know that chardonnay isn’t always a still wine? Chardonnay is one of the primary grape varieties used in crafting traditional champagne, as it provides a great acidity and minerality. This bright, fresh wine is perfect to toast any celebratory moment.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About the Best Chardonnay Wines
Ready to pour yourself a glass of chardonnay? Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions regarding chardonnay wine.
Is chardonnay a sweet wine?
As chardonnay is so versatile, how dry or sweet a bottle is depends entirely on the style in which it was made. That being said, chardonnay generally tends to be a dry wine rather than a sweet wine, though sweet flavors may be incorporated in the wine.
Is the best white wine chardonnay?
While the best white wine is a matter of preference, chardonnay is an extremely popular and versatile white wine that is beloved for its range of flavors and styles.
Is oaked or unoaked chardonnay better?
Both oaked and unoaked chardonnay are popular for different reasons. Lovers of rich, creamy wines will gravitate toward oaked chardonnay, while those who crave wine with a crisp acidity will prefer unoaked chardonnay.
Enjoy World Class California Chardonnay
No matter your wine preferences, you’ll be sure to discover a chardonnay that you fall in love with when exploring California wine. From fresh, fruit-forward wines that sing with crisp acidity to rich, creamy chardonnays that pair beautifully with a comforting meal, the world of chardonnay is wide and vast, and when you find the right bottle for you, you’ll never turn back.
