Chardonnay is grown on nearly every continent in the world. It’s the world’s most widely planted white wine grape for several reasons: It thrives in a range of climates, it deftly expresses characteristics of the terroir it’s grown in, and it’s amenable to a wide range of winemaking styles. Despite its distinctly international nature, when people in the U.S. think of Chardonnay, they tend to think of just two countries: the United States and France. And while there’s no question that both nations produce some of the world’s greatest Chardonnays, there’s also so much more to explore. As a result of the shifting climate, Chardonnay now thrives in regions once too cold to fully ripen it.
Vineyards in warmer climates or at lower elevations, fermenting and aging in oak barrels, resting on its lees, and malolactic fermentation can all encourage Chardonnay to express its more luscious, rich, full-bodied character. Here are eight ripe, round Chardonnays to try from Tuscany, Piedmont, Germany, and beyond. Made from grapes grown in the monumental Dolomite mountains in northern Italy (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the medium-bodied 2024 Bollini Barricato 40 Trentino Chardonnay offers plenty of tropical mango and pineapple flavors, but its crisp lemon-lime acidity and mineral finish keep it refreshing.
Excerpt Taken From: Food & Wine
Author: Lucy Simon
