Chardonnay

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For the town in France, see Chardonnay, Saône-et-Loire.

Image:Chardonnay vines Chassange montrachet.jpg Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make a white varietal wine.

It is believed to be named after the village of Chardonnay in the Mâconnais region of France, where Pouilly-Fuissé is currently produced and it is possible that the variety was first bred there. DNA fingerprinting research at the University of California, Davis suggests that Chardonnay has originated as a cross between Pinot and the Croatian Gouais Blanc grape varieties. Gouais Blanc is not popular in its own right and is almost extinct.

Chardonnay is also known by the names Aubaine, Beaunois, Melon Blanc, and, historically Pinot Chardonnay.

Part of the attraction of Chardonnay, for wine makers and lovers alike, is its versatility. In the U.S., it is often made using full malolactic fermentation with some oak handling. Without oak, Chardonnay generally produces a soft wine, often with fruity, minerally flavors. When aged with oak, Chardonnay acquires a smokey, vanilla, caramel, and butter aroma.

In the historic home of Chardonnay, the much cooler climate winemaking region of Chablis, oak treatment of wine has traditionally been unpopular. Malolactic fermentation is not typically used either. This produces a wine with generally more noticeable acidity which focus on minerality and purity. Other regions of Burgundy produce more full bodied styles which have oak and cheese like aromas.

Chardonnay is also an important component in Champagne, and there are some 100% Chardonnay Champagnes, labeled blanc de blancs. It is also used by sparkling wine producers who want to produce a Champagne-like wine.

In 2001, Chardonnay stood eighth-ranked in global planting of grape varieties by area, with an estimated 140,000 hectares, mostly in the United States of America, France, Australia and Italy. Its popularity (and its vapidity, according to some) have caused a backlash from some wine lovers, who declare themselves interested in ABC, or Anything But Chardonnay. This popularity led to a character in the British TV series Footballers' Wives being named Chardonnay.

In Australia and New Zealand, Chardonnay varietal wines are among the most popular white wines. As of 2005, Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape in Australia.

Australia is one of the few locales where Chardonnay is blended to make a still wine. The traditional blending partner there is Sémillon.

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