Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the world's most popular white wines that is grown in almost all major wine regions. While it originated in the Burgundy region in France, the popularity of Chardonnay has seen different flavours and styles spread around the globe, and these days, Chardonnay can vary greatly depending on the region and the vineyard that bottles the wine.

It is typically heavier-bodied for a white, and many red wine drinkers enjoy Chardonnay because it presents more complexity than other whites while retaining a light and refreshing appeal. Toasty and buttery flavours are often associated with Chardonnay, and Australian and American Chardonnays are typically rich and full bodied. French Chardonnay tends to be crisp and dry.

Citric fruits such as lemon and lime, apples, peaches pears and tropical fruits such as pineapple and banana are all often notable with Chardonnay. This type of white wine is also known to take well to oak barrel treatment, which accounts for some of its nutty and vanilla flavours. Most Chardonnay is for immediate consumption, but certain examples can be beneficially cellared for up to eight years.

Matching food to Chardonnay can depend on the particular wine due to the wide variety of flavours available from Chardonnays readily available. Typically, Chardonnays are stronger in flavour than some other whites, so try it with spicy chicken dishes, salmon or Asian cuisine. Follow your own tasting experiences, and don't be afraid to try something different.

Now that you have a feel for the rich and diverse flavours of Chardonnay, why not continue through to some other popular examples of white wine such as Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. When it comes to white wine, wine.com.au is proud to provide you with an online resource for Chardonnay.