What is Chardonnay?

Chardonnay has long been known as the world’s favorite white wine, but when discussing Chardonnay, wine lovers are divided. It seems that people either love it or hate it, and the ones who are on the fence are still trying to find the right one. Made from malleable, green-skinned grapes that grow well in a variety of climates, Chardonnay is extremely versatile. It is available at many price points, can be crisp and fresh, smooth and buttery, or rich and oaky, and winemakers have creative license to mold it as they wish. In fact, using the same exact grapes, winemakers can produce vastly different Chardonnay. Here, we take a deep dive into this wine, exploring the reasons it generates so much buzz. 

Why is Chardonnay So Popular?

Chardonnay has been around since the 1600s, and was originally grown in France, in the Burgundy region. The Chardonnay grape is one of the three base grapes in Champagne, and some of the most coveted and costly Chardonnay is still made in France. In the 19th century, the grape found a home in California, and now it is the most widely planted white grape in the state. Some people prefer Old World Chardonnay, believing it to be a purer variety, while others believe New World Chardonnay amplifies the character of the grape. Why is this wine so popular, in the United States and abroad? It could be because Chardonnay appeals to a wide audience.

What does Chardonnay taste like?

While Chardonnay can have different flavors, depending on where it is grown and how the wine is made, there is some commonality. It is typically dry, medium to full-bodied, and has moderate alcohol and acidity. It has a range of fruit flavors, and when It is aged with oak, Chardonnay has notes of vanilla.

What are the flavors in Chardonnay?

The primary flavors in Chardonnay range from zesty lemon to baked apple to tropical pineapple. The climate impacts the flavor, and the cooler the region, the more citrus flavor you will taste in the Chardonnay. Grapes harvested earlier will also have these citrus notes. Warmer climates and later harvests yield grapes with more sugar and less acidity, making the flavors richer. The secondary flavors, called notes, in Chardonnay come from the winemaking process. When oak is used, there will be notes of coconut, vanilla, and baking spices. Another factor is good bacteria in the wine, used in the fermentation process, either occurring naturally or added by the winemaker, which can convert malic acid into lactic acid, in a process called malolactic fermentation (MLF). This results in a buttery flavor in the wine.

Styles of Chardonnay

Chardonnay can be crisp and pure, perfect with fresh cheeses and delicate seafood. There is also medium-bodied Chardonnay, best served with firm fish, white meats, and aged cheeses. Finally, you can find Chardonnay in fat, rich, oaky styles that work with heavier cream sauces, grilled meats, and even game birds. The secret to choosing the style of Chardonnay that will best complement your meal is to match the weight of the wine with the weight of the food.

Difference Between Unoaked and Oaked Chardonnay

Some winemakers use stainless steel to ferment their wine and store it before bottling it. This limits the influence of oxygen and keeps the wine fresh, resulting in a crisp, bright Chardonnay. When a fuller-bodied wine, with spicy overtones, is desired, the Chardonnay is fermented and aged in oak. This allows MLF to occur, and the wine has a flavor that is rounder, with a buttery mouthfeel.

What region produces the best Chardonnay?

It is impossible to determine the best Chardonnay because it is such a subjective question. Different regions do produce different styles of Chardonnay, so you can choose the one you consider best based on location. Cooler, lighter, more acidic Chardonnay is found in the Burgundy and Champagne regions of France, as well as Germany, Austria, and Northern Italy. In the New World, you can find similarly bright Chardonnay in Ontario, Canada, Willamette Valley, Oregon, Anderson Valley and the Sonoma Coast, in California, Tasmania and Mornington Peninsula, in Australia, as well as in New Zealand and Chile and, of course, on the Leelanau Peninsula of Michigan! Warm-climate Chardonnay, with its opulent, ripe flavors, can be found in the rest of California, South Australia, much of South Africa, as well as Southern Italy and Spain.

How is Chardonnay supposed to be served?

Chardonnay, like all white wine, should be served chilled. The best temperature for white wine is between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit; warmer than that and the flavors become muddled, colder and they are muted. Two hours in the refrigerator is 30 to 40 minutes in an ice-water bath should achieve the right temperature. Once opened, a bottle should be used in two to four days, and kept corked in the refrigerator. If there is any left after four days, it is best used for cooking.

Taste a Chardonnay Today

When you want to indulge in the best Chardonnay, white wine from a boutique winery is a wonderful place to start. When you are in Michigan, you owe it to yourself to check out Good Harbor Vineyards. Situated on a unique and exciting property in the heart of the Leelanau peninsula, where compact clay soil and rolling hills provide the perfect place to grow and produce world-class wines in a spectacular setting. While relaxing in the ambiance of our gorgeous vineyard and the old-world charm of our tasting room, you can enjoy a premier wine-tasting experience, whether you prefer a flight of wines or wine by the glass. Visit us today!