Chardonnay

Chardonnay grapes, very ripe and yellow-green, bathed in direct sunlight. Hanging from a woody, brown shoot. Dark green leaves in the background.

Crossing

Pinot x Gouais Blanc (Heunisch)

Origin

Burgundy is recognised as the geographical origin of Chardonnay. Genetic analyses confirm that the cultivar originated from a natural cross between Pinot and Gouais Blanc (Weißer Heunisch). The cultivar owes its name to the Burgundian village of Chardonnay. For a long period, Chardonnay was confused with Pinot Blanc or regarded merely as one of its sub-varieties. In 1872, the name Chardonnay was formally established as an independent cultivar designation at a viticultural exposition in Lyon to clearly differentiate the grapevine from other Pinot variants.

Characteristics

  • early budburst
  • mid-to-late ripening
  • susceptible to late spring frosts
  • slight susceptibility to coulure
  • increased susceptibility to Botrytis
  • thin berry skin

Site requirements

Chardonnay performs exceptionally well on deep, calcareous soils with a reliable water supply. Such sites promote a slow, uniform ripening process, imparting freshness, a well-integrated acid structure, and fine mineral expression to the wines. Conversely, damp, poorly drained soils or those low in lime are unsuitable, as they can compromise grape quality and the elegance of the finished wine.

Aromas

Chardonnay is not inherently a primary aromatic cultivar; rather, its profile is strongly governed by terroir, maturity at harvest, and vinification method. As ripeness progresses, it achieves high extract levels and pronounced mid-palate weight. Barrique maturation combined with regular lees stirring (batonnage) imparts texture, complexity, and structural integrity. The resulting aromatic spectrum features notes of brioche, hazelnut, vanilla, ripe apple, and apricot, framed by delicate toasted nuances.

By contrast, stainless steel-fermented Chardonnays present a fresher, more linear profile. They offer vibrant acidity paired with fruit descriptors of green apple, lemon, pineapple, and honeydew melon. Because early-harvested Chardonnay can easily appear overly lean and green, site selection and full physiological maturity at harvest are of paramount importance.

Bunch

Chardonnay clusters are characteristically medium-sized, cylindrical, and predominantly tightly packed, rarely forming shoulders. The berries are round to slightly oval, thin-skinned, and feature soft, juicy flesh. During ripening, their colour shifts from green-yellow to golden-yellow, ultimately taking on an amber hue at full maturity.

Links/Downloads

Chardonnay clones

France

Chardonnay ENTAV-INRA 95

Yield moderate to elevatedBunches compactBotrytis susceptibility medium
Chardonnay ENTAV-INRA 95 grapes on the vine
Chardonnay 95 vine 1
Chardonnay ENTAV-INRA 95 – image 1
Chardonnay 95 vine 2
Chardonnay ENTAV-INRA 95: Close-up of the grapes
Chardonnay 95 grape 1
Chardonnay ENTAV-INRA 95 – image 2
Chardonnay 95 grape 2
  • Also suitable for sparkling wine production

Chardonnay ENTAV-INRA 548

Yield lowBunches less compactBotrytis susceptibility low
  • Dijon selection
  • exhibits a tendency towards coulure, resulting in small, loose-structured clusters with small berries
  • high bunch rot tolerance due to loose cluster architecture
  • earlier maturation compared to Chardonnay clone 95, combined with high sugar accumulation potential
  • suitable for cooler sites where full maturation is typically difficult to achieve

Freiburg

Chardonnay FR 155

Yield lowBunches moderately loose to compactBotrytis susceptibility low
Chardonnay FR 155 – image 1
Chardonnay FR 155 vine 1
Chardonnay clone FR 155 grapes on the vine
Chardonnay FR 155 vine 2
Chardonnay FR 155 – image 2
Chardonnay FR 155 vine 3
Close-up of Chardonnay clone FR 155 grapes
Chardonnay FR 155 vine 4
Chardonnay FR 155 – image 3
Chardonnay FR 155 grape 1
Chardonnay FR 155 – image 4
Chardonnay FR 155 grape 2
  • An aromatic clone (Musqué type) exhibiting the highest aromatic intensity among Chardonnay aromatic selections, characterized by distinct Muscat-like nuances.

Geisenheim

Chardonnay Gm 616

Yield low - mediumBunches compactBotrytis susceptibility medium
Chardonnay clone Gm 616 grapes on the vine
Chardonnay Gm 616 vine 1
Chardonnay Gm 616 – image 1
Chardonnay Gm 616 vine 2
Chardonnay Gm 616 – image 2
Chardonnay Gm 616 vine 3
Close-up of a Chardonnay clone Gm 616 grape
Chardonnay Gm 616 grape 1
Chardonnay Gm 616 – image 3
Chardonnay Gm 616 grape 2
Chardonnay Gm 616 – image 4
Chardonnay Gm 616 grape 3
Chardonnay Gm 616 – image 5
Chardonnay Gm 616 grape 4
  • Aromatic clone exhibiting a distinct lemon-lime aromatic profile, slightly secondary in intensity to clone FR 155.

Dreher

Chardonnay Dr 263

Yield mediumBunches compactBotrytis susceptibility medium
  • Burgundy clone
White wine varieties overview