Chardonnay is a white grape variety of Burgundian origin, widely planted for its adaptability to climate, soil, and winemaking technique. It can produce lean, mineral wines in cool regions such as Chablis, fuller styles in warmer climates, and some of the world’s most important sparkling wines, making adaptability central to its identity.
The grape is relatively neutral compared with more aromatic varieties, which allows site and cellar decisions to shape its final expression. Chardonnay may show citrus, apple, pear, melon, stone fruit, cream, butter, toast, or hazelnut, with texture influenced by malolactic conversion, lees aging, oak use, and ripeness at harvest.