Celebrating Chardonnay this Summer- Part 2

This guide is for celebrating all things Chardonnay in honor of May 26th, the annual day for Chardonnay! If you haven’t already, make sure you check out Part 1 where you can learn more about the history of Chardonnay and what characterizes Old World vs New World vintages. In Part 2, we will be exploring different examples of Old World and New World Chardonnays and how to make sure you’re on point with your wine and food pairings. 

Whether you’re ordering wine online for delivery, or grabbing something delicious at your local store, make sure you pick up a bottle of Chardonnay to celebrate the beginning of summertime!

Old World Chardonnay- Top 3 Regions

Burgundy, France

As we mentioned in Part 1, the historical rise of popularity of Chardonnay can largely be attributed to the Burgundy wine region of France. Given its regional appellation system, this area includes several different types of Chardonnay which are classified based on the territory the grapes are grown. Chablis in the north produces crisp Chardonnay with high acidity and citrus flavors, while Côte de Beaune further south produces young wines with hints of floral that transform into more tertiary notes of earthiness and mushroom as they age. If you’re looking for some pairing ideas, crisp Chablis blends deliciously with raw seafood like sushi or oysters as well as fresh cheeses like goat or feta. Côte de Beaune Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with rich creamier dishes like potato souffle or even roasted chicken.

Willamette Valley, Oregon If you’ve enjoyed a Chardonnay from Burgundy, France, we urge you to try a Chardonnay from Willamette Valley, Oregon. Falling on the same longitude line and having similar climates, Willamette Valley Chardonnay offers a familiar mouth feel to Burgundian wines with a unique flintiness, high acid, and usually sees less oak than California Chardonnay. Typically more affordable than Burgundian Chardonnay, it’s a great way to introduce your palate to the “old world” style of wine without breaking the bank. Our top three favorite Willamette Valley Chardonnays under $30 per bottle include Sass Chardonnay, Chehalem Unoaked Chardonnay, and Child’s Play Chardonnay.

Champagne, France

In the cooler climate of Champagne, located north of Burgundy, the Chardonnay grown here is highly acidic with green fruit flavors, and production uses a more traditional method of fermentation to create bubbles. This produces tight and crisp vintages with elegantly layered and textured flavors. When pairing these wines, look for foods that are salty, fried, or creamy such as fondu, caviar, are even your basic potato chips.

Franciacorta, Italy

This wine-producing region is located in northern Lombardy and is widely renowned for its traditional method of creating sparkling wines. Chardonnays account for around 80% of the wine produced in this region, and wines here pair deliciously with soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert. The sparkling nature of the wine also means it tastes amazing alongside creamy pasta dishes like gnocchi, baked cannellini with ricotta, and any other dish that includes bechamel. 

New World Chardonnay- Top 3 Regions

Russian River Valley, California

Located in Sonoma County, the Russian River Valley is one of America’s most famous wine regions, with a climate that allows for an extended growing season helping to create full-bodied and delicious Chardonnay with oak influence and notes of fresh flavors of lemon and peach. Wines produced here go perfectly with lobster rolls, crab cakes, salty cheeses, and roasted turkey. 

Limarí Valley, Chile

Perhaps one of the most raved-about up-and-coming wine regions, the Limarí Valley produces Chardonnay that is elegant in style due to the lack of rainfall and more calcareous soil of the region. The climate in this area produces complex wines that are fresh with underlying mineral qualities, and these vintages pair deliciously with scallops, shrimp, grilled chicken, or some delicious Chilean sea bass.

Margaret River, Australia

For our final region, we of course couldn’t talk about New World Chardonnay without mentioning Australia! Margaret River is widely recognized in Australia for its premium Chardonnay production, and the warm climate produces grapes with high levels of acidity that are then barrel aged to increase complexity. Pair your Margaret River Chardonnay with creamy or curried chicken, baked calamari, or grilled lobster. 

Enjoy wine Delivery in South Carolina Today!

To grab one of the delicious wines mentioned above, make sure you visit us at Rollers Wine & Spirits today! Whether you’re ordering wine online for delivery or visiting one of our locations near your, our beverage experts will help you find the perfect bottle of Chardonnay for the occasion!