The Best Chardonnays for Any Celebration in 2024

Made from a flavorful green grape that packs a punch, chardonnay is one of the world's favorite white wines. chardonnay grapes are grown all over the world, though they were first cultivated in the Burgundy region of France. Though they reached the peak of their popularity at the end of the 20th century, there are still more acres devoted to this chardonnay than any other white wine grape. Though its popularity has made it unchic in some circles, there are so many ways to style chardonnay that most people who claim to dislike it would probably appreciate at least one of its incarnations.

Since it's a relatively hardy varietal, chardonnay can be grown in many different regions. Depending on the weather and the quality of the soil, wine made from these grapes can show flavors of apple, pineapple, ripe fruit, or vanilla. There are several ways to style chardonnay wines. These wines can be aged in oak and finished with malolactic fermentation, resulting in the big oak and butter flavors frequently seen in California chardonnays. Alternatively, they can be aged in steel, a fermentation technique that allows the green apple tartness of the grapes to shine through. In Champagne, France, chardonnay grapes are also the only grape that can be used to make blanc de blanc Champagne.

No matter what you need it for, our list of chardonnays will help you out; check out the below buying guide to teach yourself more about wine, too!