Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the most common varietal in the world. With it, you can make wines that are dry and fruity with almond, butter, apple, butter, peach and apricot aromas. These kinds of odors come from regions where the weather is warmer and can get even more of a complex nutty and buttery flavor especially when put into oak barrels. It's a touchy varietal that can spoil easily but it's still very simple to cultivate.

Chardonnay is found pretty much everywhere in the world. In France, the most complex Chardonnays are produced in Burgundy, where it comes from (in Chablis). Some of the best Appellations are: Saint Aubin, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet or Chassagne-Montrachet en Côte d'Or, Mâcon, Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint Veran dans le Mâconnais. Along with Pinot noir and Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay is used in the creation of Champagne. It's also found in France's Loire Valley. The Languedoc-Roussillon produces fruity and drinkable Chardonnays. California also produces quite a few varieties.

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