Recipes to Pair with Rich Chardonnays
Chardonnay is a versatile, adaptable white wine grape that shows different sides of itself depending on where it's grown and how it's handled by the winemaker.
When barreled in oak, Chardonnay takes on a richness with honey and butter flavors.
Try rich, full-bodied Chardonnays with rich, strong-flavored dishes:
Recipes to Pair with Leaner Styles
When barreled in stainless steel, Chardonnay reveals its lighter side, coming across as fresh, bright and lean, and full of mineral flavors.
Try minerally versions, like those from Chablis, France, with oysters, fish, and roast chicken:
Where Chardonnay Calls Home
Because it's so popular and adaptable, Chardonnay is grown all over the world in a variety of styles.
- Burgundy/Old World style: White Burgundy can be lean or rich, often with elements of earth. Pair leaner white Burgundies with lighter dishes.
- California/New World style: Grown in warmer areas, New World Chards are characterized by bigger, riper, richer flavors and more oak. These full-figured wines can hang with rich dishes like cream sauces and lobster with butter.
Experiment, too, with northern Italian, Chilean, and Australian Chardonnays.
Chardonnay Aromas: Apple, melon, peach, pineapple, pear, lemon, fig, honey, butter, and toast.
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