The main red varieties that call the Napa Wine Region home are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Take a trip around the world with this list of the best chardonnays to drink right now. Located in the North Coast Region of California, Napa is one of the most exclusive wine areas in the country despite the fact that it accounts for a mere 4 of California’s total wine production. And for those of you who don’t know where to begin, don’t worry, we do. Meaning that even the slightest sea breeze can make a lasting impact on the outcome of a finished chardonnay wine.Įven cheap chardonnays can be great, but shell out a few extra dollars and you will not be disappointed.
The final result of a chardonnay wine is strongly dictated by where it grows: the soil, weather and climate. Winemakers love putting their personal stamp on the grape, but it’s not just about the winemaker. One of the reasons it may have gotten so popular is because of its incredible versatility and wide range of styles.
No matter where it came from, it has swelled over time to be a sort of Dolly Parton of wine fruit- universally beloved. What is it that makes chardonnay the most popular white wine variety in the world? Is it the fact that it’s an easy grape to grow, or is it popular because it’s delicious? The answer is obviously both.īy general consent, the green-skinned chardonnay grape originated in France’s storied Burgundy region (though others believe the grape’s ancestral roots derive from Lebanon).
