Holiday Gift Guide 2020: Chardonnay

Shop for Chardonnay White Wines

Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world, and also one of the most diverse. Depending on the soil, climate and winemaking traditions of the region in which it is grown, its style can range from steely and crisp to creamy and toasty.

When it comes to Chardonnay, wine enthusiasts often look to celebrated regions like Burgundy and California. Winemakers around the world try to emulate the prestigious Chardonnays from appellations in Burgundy such as Montrachet, Corton Charlemagne, Meursault and Chablis. Chardonnay wine is also indispensable to the superlative sparkling wines of Champagne. In fact, almost every major wine region from the Finger Lakes to New Zealand has embraced this stellar grape.

The characteristic flavors of Chardonnay include apples, pears, lemon and pineapple.  Medium-full in body, with zesty acidity and the potential for excellent balance of fruit, Chardonnay is a delightful food partner as well as a wine to sip on its own.