white grape · major international
Chardonnay
Mâconnais, Burgundy, France
Say it
shar·doh·nay
Stress falls entirely on the final syllable; the French nasal ending becomes a long 'ay' in American English
On the palate
How you spot it blind: Waxy palate weight and bright acidity that scale seamlessly from steely mineral to rich butter
The story
First written down · late 17th century, Burgundy, France
DNA analysis by Bowers et al. (1999) confirmed Chardonnay as a natural cross of Pinot and Gouais Blanc (Heunisch Weiss), ending a century of confusion with Pinot Blanc.
Family tree: HEUNISCH WEISS × PINOT
Where it lives
Burgundy (Chablis, Côte de Beaune, Mâconnais) · Champagne, France · California (Sonoma, Santa Barbara, Napa) · Australia (Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Margaret River) · Marlborough, New Zealand · Franciacorta, Italy
Shows up as
If you like this, try
Also answers to Chadonnay, Gamay Blanc.
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