Chardonnay Regions

Chardonnay in Europe

France

Chardonnay was born in Bourgogne (Burgundy) in France. The most famous on the the light site is Chablis. The most famous for full body outstanding quality is Mersault and Montrachet.

Best known areas/regions:

Chablis AOC
Chablis (Unoaked dry with high acidity)
Petit Chablis (Unoaked dry with high acidity)

Mâconnais
Mâcon (Unoaked dry floral and aromatic)
Pouilly-Fuissé (Unoaked dry floral and aromatic)

Côte d'Or
Mersault (Oaked full body)
Montrachet (Oaked full body)

Italy

Italian Chardonnay is typical lean and crisp. Unoaked Chardonnay can be found in Friuli, Trentino and Alto Adige.

Austria

Chardonnays from Austria are typically fresh and mineral driven.

New World Chardonnay

USA

USA is the largest wine market in the world, and Chardonnay is the number one selling wine. The best Chardonnays comes from Northern California. (Sonoma, Napa, Russian River Valley).

Best known areas/regions:
Sonoma Coast (Cooled by Pasific Ocean breezes)
Russian River (Cooled by sea breezes)
Los Corneos (Cooled by San Pablo Bay morning fog)
Santa Barbara County (Cooled by sea breezes)
Napa Valley (Warmer and more tropical)

Australia

Australian Chardonnays have changed dramatically from rich, fully ripened, heavy oked versions to less oaked, better balanced, cooler climate versions.

Best known areas/regions:
Adelaide Hills (Cooled by altitude) South Australia
Yarra Valley (Cooled by sea breezes) Victoria
Margaret River (Cooled by sea breezes) West Australia

Chile

Chile produces cool climate Chardonnay with apple, pear, and tropical fruit flavors.

Best known areas/regions:
Cassablanca Valley (Cooled by sea breezes and morning fog)
Central Valley (Only the high altitude areas)

New Zealand

New Zealand Chardonnays get first prize for French imitations.

Best known areas/regions:
Marlborough (North-east on the South Island)
Hawke's Bay (East on the North Island)

South Africa

Best known area/region:
Walker Bay (Cooled by sea breezes)

Argentina

The cool Andes regions produce a mineral-heavy and vegetative Chardonnay.