Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the world's leading white wine grape, a Vitis vinifera cultivar that arose in the Burgundy region of France as a natural cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc. It produces small yellow-green berries in compact clusters and ripens early to mid season. Remarkably adaptable, it grows successfully in cool Chablis, warm California, and everywhere in between, and is essential to Champagne and still white wines. The wine style ranges from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery depending on climate and oak. The vine buds early, making it vulnerable to spring frost, and its tight clusters can be prone to bunch rot in damp conditions. Growers value its reliability, productivity, and the broad range of wines it can produce.