Understanding Chardonnay: A guide to the world’s most versatile grape

08 October 2021

Understanding Chardonnay: A guide to the world’s most versatile grape

Chardonnay has it pretty rough in the wine world. Sure, it gets a lot of love. But it also gets a lot of hate. But why? Well, the simplest answer to this is because Chardonnay’s a bit of a chameleon.

Depending on where it’s grown and how it’s made, this white grape can taste totally different, from rich and buttery to crisp and citrusy. But that’s also what makes it one of the most widely planted (and widely loved) grapes in the world - all you have to do is find your style.

In cooler climates, like France, you’ll find leaner, fresher, and more mineral-driven wines, with notes of green apple, lemon, and a clean, steely finish. Chablis, in northern Burgundy, is known for this fresh style of Chardonnay, often using no oak, to produce a wine that most people love - and often they don’t even realise they’re drinking Chardonnay.

Further south, in Burgundy, Chardonnay can take on slightly more tropical notes, due to the warmer climate. Like those in the Mâcon, which are slightly richer.

And let’s not forget Champagne. Here, Chardonnay is king, used in blends and as a single varietal, where it’s commonly known as Blanc de Blancs.

Germany, Spain, and coastal areas of Chile or Tasmania are also known for their cooler climate styles.

In warmer regions like California, South Africa, and Australia, Chardonnay tends to be full-bodied and ripe, often showing flavours of tropical fruit, vanilla, and baking spices. This style often comes from ageing in oak barrels, which gives the wine that creamy, buttery texture people either love or avoid.

While this is a consensus to follow when choosing a Chardonnay, in reality, unless a region has regulations (Like Chablis), the wine style can differ from vineyard to vineyard - but it’s this that makes this grape so wonderfully versatile and exciting.

So, if you’ve written off Chardonnay in the past, here’s your sign to try it again. And if you already love it, there’s always another bottle or style to discover - like our top Majestic picks!

Majestic Wines’ Top 10 Chardonnays to Try

Louis Latour Mâcon-Lugny

We’ve sold this wine for over 30 years, and for that whole time it’s been a bestseller. Why’s it so popular? White Burgundy is a go-to for Chardonnay drinkers, and the Mâconnais in particular offers great value. Unlike the northern Côtes, the southern part of Burgundy doesn’t have a formalised vineyard hierarchy system, so the wines tend to be more wallet-friendly. Not to mention, Lugny is one of the best-regarded villages in the Mâcon, and Latour is one of the most famous houses. This is a gently honeyed wine with notes of ripe peach and a crisp finish.

Definition by Majestic Chablis

There’s arguably no purer expression of the Chardonnay grape than Chablis, hailing from the variety's homeland in Burgundy. This one is made by the Chatelain de Oliveira family, at their 48-hectare estate on the banks of the Serein River. The region’s characteristic Kimmeridgian soils combined with the cool climate gives the wine its characteristic zingy Chablis acidity, minerality and flinty finesse. With flavours of lemon and grapefruit, it’s great to drink with goat’s cheese, grilled fish or asparagus – or on its own as an aperitif.

Bread & Butter 'Winemaker's Selection' Chardonnay

This really does what it says on the tin. It’s a lush Chardonnay which tastes of – you guessed it – bread and butter. The winemaking team combines grapes from two very different regions to create something full but fresh. Monterey is known for its big Chardonnays, but Carneros is far cooler, so flavours are more understated. And you'll taste the benefits in this bold and buttery wine. It’s silky smooth with fresh notes of citrus and vanilla. It’s incredibly versatile, but we like it best with creamy tarragon chicken or soft, creamy cheese.

The Oath Chardonnay, Barossa Valley, Australia

Known for blending traditional techniques with modern innovation and minimal intervention, Chateau Tanunda allows the unique character of each vineyard to shine through. Their head winemaker, recognised as a 'Top 100 Master Winemaker' by Drinks Business Magazine UK in 2020 and 2022, is truly among the best in the country. This is no ordinary Chardonnay. Delve into honeyed layers of peach and melon, balanced by fresh citrus. A touch of oak spice adds extra complexity.

Tony Bish 'Fat & Sassy' Chardonnay, Hawke's Bay

Ask wine fans in New Zealand what Tony Bish is known for, and they’ll say one thing: Chardonnay. As the only specialist of the grape in Australasia, he knows it inside out. Tony uses a range of innovations to explore its many different expressions – employing everything from concrete egg fermenters to French oak. Aged in oak barrels to bring a bit of spice and complexity, you can expect notes of citrus, stone fruits and pineapple. Crack it open with buttery fish or chicken dishes to enjoy it to the fullest.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Chardonnay, Coonawarra

Wynn's first produced this estate Chardonnay in 1981, and it has become something of a benchmark for Coonawarra Chardonnay, showing off the fine structure and varietal character that results from this region's long ripening season. Lifted white peach and nectarine aromas, complemented by subtle nut and nougat aromas. Soft stone fruit, citrus and poached pear flavours linger on the fresh, lightly creamy palate. Enjoy within the next 1-2 years. Best paired with roast poultry.

Cloudy Bay 'Pelorus' Brut, Marlborough

You'll know Cloudy Bay for its award-winning Sauvignon. But their sparkling wines are just as deserving of the spotlight. Pelorus is a Chardonnay-dominant blend made with a dash of Pinot Noir. It's fermented in oak and aged on its lees for a generous two years. This gives a nutty, elegant complexity to crisp apple flavours. Try it well-chilled with crab pasta.

The Guv'nor Sparkling, Spain

The Guv'nor wines break the winemaking rules to bring you plenty of flavour at great value. Like the Guv'nor red, this sparkling wine is made from several of Spain's most popular regions. Carefully blending grapes from a number of areas sets the winemaker behind it from restrictive regional rules. This means they can take advantage of the best parcels available and create something truly special. It's made from a local grape variety, Viura, and Chardonnay. Expect delicate aromas of blossom, vanilla and stone-fruit and citrus flavours and a deliciously creamy finish. In 2022, this wine won an IWC award.

Pol Roger 'Réserve' Brut Champagne

Pol Roger was known to be Churchill’s favourite fizz, and it’s also the Champagne of choice for royal weddings. 33 metres below street level, Pol Roger’s cellars are three degrees cooler than other cellars in the region – a tiny variation which makes all the difference. It slows the fermentation right down, which intensifies flavours and creates extra-fine, elegant bubbles. After four years of ageing, this Brut Réserve is well worth the wait. You’ll find aromas of pear, mango and honeysuckle, with ripe and developed flavours of quince, apricot and toasty brioche. The richness is balanced by a crisp, refreshing acidity.

Graham Beck Brut, South Africa

You’ll be in good company when you uncork a bottle of this Brut. It’s affectionately known as the ‘President’s Choice’ because it was served at both Nelson Mandela’s inauguration and Barack Obama’s presidential win. It’s made with the Méthode Cap Classique – a style identical to the traditional method used to make Champagne, using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir too. It means it’s a real steal for fizz fans who love the taste of Champagne, but not the price. Fresh but creamy. Full of limey citrus flavours – it’s got a lovely brioche richness from its second fermentation in the bottle. Fantastic with cheesy nibbles.