This month the French Winophiles Celebrate Chardonnay for Chardonnay Day. It is also the anniversary of the 1976 Judgement of Paris. You can catch us on May 2O sharing our ideas on social media, join in the fun.
I decided I wanted to join this month because Chardonnay inspires strong reactions in many people. Those feelings can be either positive or negative. I have meet many a wine person who says ABC or anything but Chardonnay. I think that is ridiculous and my retort would always be you don’t like White Burgundy? O Chablis? Or Blanc de blancs champagne? Much like those who turned away from Merlot following the movie Sideways, which I hated by the way, I was sure this attitude would change and I think it has. The reaction was largely to New World Chardonnay aged in oak barrels. While not my cup of tea, many wine drinkers preferred this style of Chardonnay. However, many Chardonnay lovers prefer old world Chardonnay such as the steely marvelous Chardonnay found in Chablis or the rich and sexy ones from in Meursault. I have had marvelous old world Chardonnay from France.
I believe that Chardonnay has a place in our lives as a unifier, it brings many people to the table from different wine styles and knowledge. I know that has been my experience when out with a number of people with varying tastes. I often order a Chardonnay because I think it will work for all. These photos are some of the wines I have chosen as crowd pleasers.
Another reason I am also partial to Chardonnay is because it grows well in many temperatures and under varying conditions and can be a good go to wine in the most unexpected places.
Chardonnay also pairs well with most food, depending on how it is vinified, aged, and in what vessels, you can have it with simpler or heartier fare.
Chardonnay has aromas of apples, citrus, and at times pineapple. If vinified in oak, butter, and vanilla tend to be important notes too.
Whatever you style, I am sure there is a Chardonnay that you can share with friends. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape so you will have a lot of practice.
Check out what my fellow winophiles are saying:
• “A Tale of Two Chardonnays: From France’s Pays d’Oc and California’s Russian River Valley” from Camilla at Culinary Cam
• “No to Chardonnay? Don’t Be So Judgy!” from Cathie at Side Hustle Wino
• “Chardonnay; Old World vs New World in Today’s World” from Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm
• “Chardonnay Unites Us More than it Divides” from Susannah at Avinnare
• “How to Think About the 1976 Judgement of Paris in 2023” from Jeff at Food Wine Click
• Gwendolyn is sharing a food and wine pairing at Wine Predator
• “Chardonnay Day with Domaine Charton-Vachet Montagny Cuvee” from Deanna at Wineivore
avvinare.com 
Many moons ago, when I first started drinking wine, I went to a restaurant in San Diego and the waitress suggested a glass of KJ chardonnay. It was oaked and I fell in love. For the longest time that was my go to wine. It is also the wine that I gave to Frank when I introduced him to wines. I have since come to prefer non oaked chards but still have a fondness in my heart for Kendall Jackson.
I love this Wendy. My first love was Reunite….go figure right but that doesn’t mean I do not have a fondness for amazing Lambrusco. I drank Reunite with my boyfriend when we were 17 and going out to dinner alone. We felt like adults, eating baked zitti….
I love this so much, Susannah, and I wholeheartedly agree that there are beautiful, non-butterball Chards to be had. And I also concur about Sideways. What an awful movie…and book.
Yes literally hate that movie but do love a good chardonnay!!!
[…] Chardonnay Unites Us More than it Divides from Susannah at Avinnare […]
We touched on so many of the same points about Chardonnay. Thanks for that Antica suggestion, I happen to love Chardonnay from Tuscany but it is a rarity so this might be a great option that I am going to seek out.
Hi Cathie –
Antica is actually from NAPA!! It is from the Antinori family but their US estate. Cheers to you, Susannah
I must not have worded my response very well – I was trying to say that Antica would be a great option when I can’t find Chardonnay from Tuscany. I am aware of Antinori’s partnership in WA state but was not aware of the Napa presence. I’m excited to try it.
[…] “Chardonnay Unites Us More than it Divides” from Susannah […]
Turning the tables on Chardonnay! It can be divisive but why not focus on the positives that it is versatile and grows well in many climates and countries. Great point too that it’s a good wine to order for a table since it can suit many palates.