Chardonnay
Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or.
Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.
It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.
Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.
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SaleBurgundy2022 Berry Bros. & Rudd White Burgundy by Collovray & TerrierReady - mature
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SaleHampshire2017 Berry Bros. & Rudd English Sparkling Blanc de Blancs by Hambledon Vineyard, Hampshire, EnglandReady - mature
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Burgundy2021 Petit Chablis, Domaine Vincent Mothe, BurgundyReady - mature
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Burgundy2020 Santenay Blanc, Camille Giroud, BurgundyReady - mature
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SaleCalifornia2019 Berry Bros. & Rudd Sonoma County Chardonnay by Ramey Wine CellarsReady - at best
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Burgundy2021 Bourgogne Blanc, Benjamin LerouxReady - at best
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Western Australia2023 Berry Bros. & Rudd Australian Chardonnay by Frankland Estate, Frankland RiverReady - at best
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ChampagneBerry Bros. & Rudd Blanc de Blancs Champagne by Le Mesnil, Grand Cru, BrutReady - at best
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Vin de Pays2022 Berry Bros. & Rudd Reserve White by Collovray & TerrierReady - mature
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Champagne2012 Cuvée Exceptionelle, St. Vincent, Grand Cru, Champagne R&L LegrasReady - mature
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Kent2015 Gusbourne Estate, Blanc de Blancs, Brut, Kent, EnglandReady - mature
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Champagne2015 Gaston Chiquet Spécial Club, BrutReady - mature
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ChampagneGaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d'Aÿ, Grand Cru, BrutReady - mature
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Burgundy2009 Meursault, La Goutte d'Or, 1er Cru, Domaine Francois Gaunoux, BurgundyReady - mature
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Burgundy2008 Meursault, La Goutte d'Or, 1er Cru, Domaine Francois Gaunoux, BurgundyReady - mature
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Burgundy1999 Meursault, La Goutte d'Or, 1er Cru, Domaine Francois Gaunoux, BurgundyReady - mature
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Burgundy2020 Ladoix, Les Grechon, 1er Cru, Maison Camille Giroud, BurgundyReady - at best
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Champagne2013 Champagne R&L Legras, Cuvée Presidence Vieilles Vignes, Blanc de BlancsReady - mature
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Champagne2012 Champagne R&L Legras, Cuvée Presidence Vieilles Vignes, Blanc de BlancsReady - mature
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Champagne2013 Champagne Penet-Chardonnet, Lieu-Dit "Les Blanches Voies", Verzy Grand Cru, Blanc de Blancs, Extra BrutReady - mature
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Burgundy2020 Berry Bros. & Rudd Puligny-Montrachet by Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy, BurgundyReady - youthful
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Champagne2013 Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d'Aÿ Réserve, Grand Cru, BrutReady - mature
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Burgundy2020 Mercurey, Blanc, Camille Giroud, BurgundyNot ready
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Burgundy2020 Bourgogne Blanc, Camille Giroud, BurgundyReady - youthful