Chardonnay for Delivery or Pickup

Chardonnay finds its origin in the Burgundy region of France. It gets its name from a small town in Maconnais, which produces high-value yet inexpensive Chardonnay. This popular grape variety is grown globally and is featured in several other wine creations, including Montrachet, Meursault, Pouilly-Fuissé, and Chablis.

While Chardonnay can taste different depending on where the grapes are grown and how it is made, it is typically a dry and medium- or full-bodied wine with fruit flavors of apple, lemon, papaya, and pineapple, as well as spicy undertones of clove and nutmeg. When aged in oak barrels, Chardonnay can also emit a vanilla aroma.

Chardonnay is fermented in barrels to give it extra tannin and structure. When fermented in new oak barrels, these notes are more aromatic, whereas chardonnay aged in older barrels has a more formidable texture. It is common among winemakers to ferment a portion of this wine in new oak and reuse older barrels for the rest. This effect results in a more balanced wine and saves money on buying expensive new oak barrels.

A new trend has recently developed among Chardonnay winemakers. Naked or un-oaked Chardonnay allows this grape variety to reveal its unique flavors without the added oak undertones. Rather than using oak barrels, these wineries use stainless-steel containers to finish the fermentation process.

 A fermentation process that is unique to mostly red wines also takes place with Chardonnays. This process, called Malolactic fermentation or malo for short, transforms tart malic acid into softer lactic acid. The effect is soft tannins, decreased bitterness, and buttery flavors.

Explore the three primary styles of chardonnay below:

Creamy and oaked chardonnay is a full-bodied white wine that conveys flavors such as lush tropical fruit, grilled pineapple, butterscotch, and vanilla in addition to lighter notes of poached pears, lemon curd, and baked apple. This boldest version of the three styles pairs perfectly with creamy dishes such as mushroom risotto, lobster bisque, or chicken, leek, and ham pie. If this version matches your flavor profile, search for wine varieties such as Marsanne, Viognier, and Trebbiano. 

Citrusy and un-oaked Chardonnay is a light floral wine with citrus flavors. This effect results from winemakers who don't use oak barrels to ferment their wines. The flavors of un-oaked Chardonnay include yellow apple, fresh pineapple, mango, and undertones of white flowers, green apple, pear, and citrus peel. Those who appreciate this flavor combination can choose a chardonnay that is not aged in oak, such as a Chablis.

Sparkling Chardonnay is used in the production of sparkling wine and Champagne. This wine matches well with salty fried dishes such as calamari and fried chicken. Blanc de Blancs, sparkling Chardonnays, have rich characteristics of Meyer lemon, honeycomb, yellow apple, toasted vanilla, and hazelnut. You may also recognize notes of lemon zest, minerals, lime, and honeysuckle. When looking for a sparkling Chardonnay, search for 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines.