Learn about Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a white wine grape from Burgundy, France, and the most popular white wine purchased in the United States. Domestic Chardonnay is made in two common styles, the most beloved is oaky and buttery. Less popular, but gaining headway among younger wine drinkers is unoaked or stainless steel fermented and aged Chardonnay. Sometimes this is referred to as “Naked” Chardonnay. Stainless Chardonnay is more crisp and fruity, on the refreshing side of white wines. There can also be Chardonnay wines produced in the middle of these two styles. The Chardonnay can be barrel fermented or aged in neutral oak. This gives the wine more depth in the mouth and takes some of the crispness from the wine.
Under $20 Chardonnay wines we like:
Click to find the review and the style of Chardonnay – oak or no oak
- Carol Shelton Wild Thing Chardonnay
- Daou Chardonnay Paso Robles
- Pedroncelli Frank Johnson Vineyards Chardonnay
- Dreyer Sonoma County Chardonnay
- Bonterra Mendocino Chardonnay
- Blue Quail Chardonnay
Foods we like with Chardonnay:
Unoaked Chardonnay
- Soft and light cheese
- Padron peppers – Recipe
- Panko Breaded Shrimp
- Filet of Sole and similar fish
- Linguine with clam sauce and Pancetta – Recipe
Oaked and buttery Chardonnay:
- Dungeness Crab
- Crab cakes
- Fish with a creamy sauce
- Four cheese appetizer at Costco
- Salmon – Pietro recipe
- Roasted chicken
- Zuni Cafe Chicken
- Thick veggie soups
* It was the Wente winery that was first to plant Chardonnay in the United States. In 1912 Carl H. Wente brought over Chardonnay cuttings from a nursery in France. Over the next 30 years, choosing selected vines. the Wente Chardonnay Clone was established. The history of Chardonnay according to Wente Vineyards.
Chardonnay grapes harvested in the Carneros wine region of Napa County