Chardonnay is one of the world’s most versatile and widely planted white grape varieties, capable of expressing an extraordinary range of styles depending on climate, soil, and winemaking approach. Originating in Burgundy—where it produces some of the most revered whites from appellations like Chablis, Meursault, and Puligny-Montrachet—it thrives in both cool and warm climates across the globe. In cooler regions such as Champagne, Tasmania, and the Sonoma Coast, Chardonnay offers crisp acidity, citrus, and mineral notes. In warmer areas like California’s Napa Valley or parts of South Australia, it tends toward richer flavours of stone fruit, toast, and butter. Whether unoaked and linear or full-bodied and barrel-aged, Chardonnay’s adaptability and depth have made it a cornerstone of modern white winemaking.
