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 nearly 1,500 feet up in the Tuscan hills, the 2022 La Pietra Toscana offers candied ginger and orange peel flavors. It’s aged before release for 18 months in a 50% new and 50% older oak barrels, then in the bottle for another year, but it still has vibrant, fresh acidity.
Excerpt Taken From: Food & Wine
Author: Lucy Simon
