Chardonnay
America's most planted white grape, made in every style from crisp and steely to rich and buttery. You'll find it in California, Oregon, New York, Michigan and nearly every wine state.
Chardonnay is the most widely planted white wine grape in the United States and one of the most versatile in the world. Originally from Burgundy, it takes on the character of where it's grown and how it's made, so a Chardonnay from Michigan and one from Napa Valley can taste like completely different wines.
What It Tastes Like
Chardonnay itself is fairly neutral; the place and the winemaker do the talking. Cool climates give green apple, lemon and a stony, mineral edge. Warm climates give pineapple, peach and mango. Oak barrels add vanilla and toast, and malolactic fermentation adds the buttery, creamy texture that made California Chardonnay famous. Unoaked, stainless-steel Chardonnay has become popular as a crisp alternative.
Where It Grows
California dominates, from the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Los Carneros to Santa Barbara County, the Santa Lucia Highlands and Napa Valley. Oregon's Willamette Valley has earned a reputation for Burgundian-style Chardonnay. Washington, New York's Finger Lakes and Long Island, Virginia and northern Michigan all make good examples, and Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula also use it for sparkling wine.
What to Look For
- Oaked, buttery Chardonnay, the classic California style.
- Unoaked or lightly oaked versions from cooler regions.
- Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine, made entirely from Chardonnay.
If you think you don't like Chardonnay, try one from a different climate or with a different oak treatment before you give up on it.
Where to Find Chardonnay
Wine regions on American Winery Guide where Chardonnay is grown or poured: