10 things to know about the most beloved globetrotter grape in the world

1. How popular is Chardonnay?

Chardonnay is the most widely distributed white wine grape in the world, Chardonnay grapes are planted in virtually every wine region in the world, with the total worldwide surface being 500,000 acres and increasing. The main countries you can find chardonnay are France, USA, Australia, Italy, Chile, South Africa, and Argentina.

2. What happened with Chardonnay in pop culture?

The historic legend in France goes that Chardonnay owes its popularity to the wife of Emperor Charlemagne who ordered that white wine grapes be planted in Burgundy because she was fed up with the red wine staining her husband’s beard while he was drinking!

Then about 27 years ago Chardonnay became unfashionable. In 1995, the New York Times reported on the ABC – Anything But Chardonnay movement. That same year, Alanis Morissette referenced the wine in her colossally successful song Ironic – ‘a black fly in your Chardonnay’, pretty unfortunate if you ask us.

Because of its ease to grow, there started to be a mass production of inexpensive, super-ripe styles with horrendous levels of oak which threatened the popularity of its original elegant taste.

3. Does Chardonnay have bubbles?

Chardonnay is one of the three main grapes used in Champagne, along with pinot noir and pinot meunier. The grape is used in some of the most significant long lived and exquisite champagnes, with a Blanc de Blancs champagne being 100% chardonnay and the greatest expression of the grape. Champagne gives a unique home to Chardonnay with its lower than average temperatures and chalky soils. It produces Chardonnay with finesse & balanced high acidity, making it perfect for sparkling production.

4. Chardonnay and Chablis are the same thing

The wine Chablis is all chardonnay grape. A Chablis wine can only be called a Chablis if the grapes are grown in the wine region in Burgundy, which produce exceptional varietal white wines from the chardonnay grape variety.

The main differences are about where and how (winemaking, style, and flavour, with Chablis typically being unoaked).

5. Old world vs new world

It is all about location, location, location! Old World wines come from long-established winemaking countries such as Italy and France. With New World wines referring to wines from countries that are newer to the winemaking game such as USA, New Zealand, and Australia.

6. Chardonnay wines are made in the cellar, rather than the vineyard

Chardonnay is the ultimate shapeshifter, it is a non-aromatic dry white wine grape, with its popularity coming from its versatile qualities. Essentially the grape is completely adaptable and produces a variety of flavours and styles according to where it's grown and how it's made.

Fermentation in a stainless tank will retain most of the delicate aromatics and remain more focused on the refined palate. However, a barrel fermentation will bring out oak tannins and has less contact with Lees leading to a wider array of flavours and aromas. Therefore, chardonnay is known for its taste rather than its nose.

7. Chardonnay expresses terroir

The blank canvas aspect means that chardonnay is a mirror of its climate and location – this is what wine enthusiasts call terroir.

Cooler climates match the grapes refreshing acidity, mineral characters with orchard fruit such as apricots and peaches, lighter bodied and lower in alcohol. Warmer climates have typically less acidity, with tropical tastes such as pineapple and mango, fuller bodied and higher in alcohol.

The wine makers job is to capture that expression without obscuring it too much with oak and other techniques.

8. Chardonnay can pair with a steak

Yes, you read that correctly, if you have a big, rich Chardonnay from California you will be blown away by how well the wine and meat can work together.

9. Is Chablis better than chardonnay?

We cannot pick that for you, it all depends on your preferences.

The refinement of texture in a Chablis wine offers a more refreshing mouthfeel in comparison, if you prefer lighter zesty notes, go for a Chablis. But if you prefer traditional toasty flavours, turn to oaked Chardonnay, one from California is a preference.

10. Chardonnay is amongst the most expensive wines in the world

Of course, being the most planted white grape in the world, there is plenty of cheap, ordinary chardonnays around the world, that threaten its glamour.

But! Chardonnay is also amongst the most expensive wines in in the world, with the most expensive being sold for $41,561 - Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France. They are all Burgundy Grand Crus and to name a few are Domaine Leflaive Montrachet, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Montrachet and Leroy Domaine d’Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet.

Overall, once you find your palette, chardonnay is not limited and can be fun to explore. Try our 3 pack of Chardonnay to leave you looking like a pro!