Chardonnay

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Name Variations

 * Pinot Chardonnay

About Chardonnay
Wikipedia Article About Chardonnay on Wikipedia

Pronounced shar-dunay. A grape varietal used in the production of white and sparkling wine. Where the Chardonnay varietal originated has not been verified, but it has definitely earned a reputation and a home in France’s Burgundy region. The Chardonnay varietal is easy to grow and produces high yields. The grape is also grown in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States (specifically California), Italy, and Spain. The Chardonnay is the only varietal allowed to be grown in France's Chablis appellation. Vinified as a 100% varietal in Chablis and White Burgundy (exception: if label specifies Aligoté varietal blended with the White Burgundy). Also used in the production of high quality sparkling French wines and French champagnes.

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.