The Best Regions for Growing Chardonnay

Thanks to its easy adaptation to the climate: from cool to moderate, from warm to hot, as well as to various types of soils, Chardonnay has spread all over the world, from the USA to Chile and New Zealand. Well, what could be better than a glass of cool Chardonnay and a blackjack game?

In this article, we will tell you about the best regions of producers of the best Chardonnay wines.

France

France has historically been the first producer of wines using Chardonnay grapes. Some of France’s best white wines are made from Chardonnay in Chablis/Burgundy. Located in the east of France in the Dijon area, you will find that Chablis, Meursault, and Montrachet are among the best regions for Chardonnay.

Chardonnay produced in the Chablis region is one of the “purest” expressions of the varietal character of grapes due to the simplified style of winemaking preferred in this region. Chablis winemakers want to emphasize limestone soils and a cooler climate, which helps maintain high acidity.

Italy

Although Chardonnay does not play a big role in Italian winemaking, we think it is worth mentioning this very important wine country. Italian winemaking dates back to the sixth century BC: it is not for nothing that the ancient Greeks called the country Oinotaria or Vineland. Viticulture is practiced almost all over the country, the uniqueness of which is that many of its grape varieties have been preserved and are still used.

Italian wine has its character, but to a greater extent, each region offers its unique wine. In Italy, “international” grape varieties are rarely regarded as “the best”, for the most part, they play secondary roles, as an addition to their unique grape varieties. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in Italy exist as monosort wines (for example, in northern South Tyrol), but they are mainly used for blends.

Spain

We do not want to bypass such a wine-producing country as Spain, known for its Rioja region, although it is not famous for Chardonnay.

Spain is one of the oldest and largest wine–producing countries. But unlike France and Italy, most Spanish wines (except Rioja) are still a closed book for the rest of Europe and the world.

It was after joining the European Community (and related investments in know-how and technology) that Spanish wines from regions such as Ribera del Duero, Navarre, Priory, Toro, and Valencia found their way to European consumers. Since the 80s, Spanish winemakers have been using the full potential of their (often old) vines for the production of balanced and diverse wines that are better suited to world taste. Since then, we have had an impressive and wide selection of wines from Spain, where traditions (experience, old vines) go hand in hand with modern technology.

USA

Meanwhile, Chardonnay has become the most popular white wine in the United States. Currently, more than a thousand different bottles are produced every harvest year.

Napa Valley

From Massachusetts to Arizona, Chardonnay has taken root perfectly in the USA. It ranges from light, tender, and crisp to rich, rich, and oaky. Bottling from cooler regions such as Oregon, Washington, New York, and Monterey in California will have a brighter acidity and a lighter taste. Perhaps some of the best wines are wines from much of the rest of California (including the glamorous names Napa and Sonoma) and other places with warmer climates that tend to produce wines of rich flavors and soulful styles.