Chardonnay is the most popular white grape variety, which is highly drinkable and has different personality changes in different environments. France's Burgundy is certainly the place where it shines the most, but the price is prohibitive. So besides France, where is Chardonnay the most beloved?
International wine website Wine Searcher (WS) has counted this year's most popular Chardonnay Top 10 (excluding France) to see where they all come from:
NO.1
Farnant Winery Chardonnay
Far Niente Winery Estate Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, USA
WS International average pre-tax price ¥ 413
Average WS rating: 90
Founded in 1885 by John Benson in Napa Valley, California, Far Niente Winery is one of California's most famous distilleries and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
NO.2
Malcasson Winery Chardon
Marcassin Estate Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma Coast, USA
WS International average pre-tax price ¥ 4,758
WS average rating: 95
The owners of the Marcassin Estate are the famous winemaker Helen Turley and her viticulturist husband, John Wetlaufer. Helen is one of California's most influential winemakers and has served as an advisor to many of the region's top wineries, including Pahlmeyer and Peter Michael Winery. The winery is considered a benchmark producer for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, whose wines are known for their rich and opulent style and ageing potential.
NO.3
Judge Chardonnay of the Conscard Winery
Kongsgaard The Judge Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, USA
WS International average pre-tax price ¥ 6,319
WS average rating: 95
Kongsgaard winery was founded in napa Valley by John Kongsgaard. After more than 40 years of winemaking, the owner is now one of the top winemakers in Napa Valley. He worked in St. Helena's. Helena) is the lead winemaker at Newton Vineyard, known for making filterless Merlot and Chardonnay.
Chardonnay is the most famous, with Robert Parker giving the wine a 100-point 2013 vintage and exclaiming, "It's one of the best Chardonnays I've ever tasted."
NO.4
Château Dewy Art Series Chardonnay
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
Region: Margaret River, Australia
WS International average pre-tax price¥ 553
WS average rating: 93
Ruchsells is one of the five founding wineries in Australia's Margaret River appellation. In 1972, Robert Mondavi of napa Valley in the United States visited Australia and saw the potential of the area and began growing grapes. When Decanter magazine gave the 1980 art series Chardonnay the highest rating, Château Deween rose to fame.
NO.5
Cumù River Winery Matt Garden Chardonnay
Kumeu River Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay
Region: Kumeu, New Zealand
WS International average pre-tax price ¥ 413
WS average rating: 93
Kumeu River is located in the town of Qom, northwest of central Auckland, New Zealand, and is famous for its Burgundy-style Chardonnay. At the 2014 London Blind Tasting, 4 Chardonnays from Coombe beat over a wide range of top Burgundy white wine producers.
NO.6
Aubert Winery Laurent Garden Chardonnay
Aubert Wines Lauren Vineyard Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma Coast, USA
WS International average pre-tax price¥ 1,495
WS average rating: 95
Aubert Wines is a small Chardonnay and Pinot Noir estate with grapes from a single vineyard in napa Valley and Sonoma. Founded in 1999 by Mark and Teresa Aubert, it is now considered one of California's cult wineries. Its Chardonnay wines are mostly fermented and aged in French oak barrels, most of which are new.
NO.7
Montrey's Chateau Chardonna
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, USA
WS International average pre-tax price ¥ 380
Average WS rating: 90
Chateau Montelena, which began its history in 1882, is one of the most famous wineries in napa Valley. The winery's real rise to fame began with the famous 1976 Paris judging, and its 1973 Chardonnay is considered the best of California and France's top wine collections. Its award-winning Chardonnay wines are on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, and the castle is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
NO.8
Gaya Winery Gaya & Ray Chardonnay
Gaja Gaia & Rey Chardonnay
Region: Langhe, Italy
WS International average price before taxes¥ 1,677
WS average rating: 91
Gaja, one of italy's 4 great elegances, was founded in 1859. The region is famous for its traditional Nebbiolo grape variety, which is mainly produced in the Gaia & Rey vineyards, which were planted in 1979.
NO.9
Chateau Conscard Chardonnay
Kongsgaard Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, USA
WS International average pre-tax price ¥ 917
WS average rating: 93
Château Conscard is the second wine on the list.
NO.10
Château Gistreet Chateau Gistreet
Kistler Vineyards Kistler Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma Valley, USA
WS International average pre-tax price ¥ 818
WS average rating: 94
Founded in 1978, Kistler Vineyards produces only 35,000 cases a year, most of which are sold through mailing lists. The winery focuses on the Burgundian variety and is considered one of the pioneers of the California butter fruit style Chardonnay. Chardonnay has been brewed for many years using small new oak barrels and malolactic fermentation. However, the winery has recently developed a more restrained style.
Overall, 7 of the 10 wines came from the United States, with New Zealand, Australia and Italy each occupying a seat. It seems that the Chardonnay field is the only one in the United States except for France. Among them, Napa Valley accounted for 4 places, Sonoma accounted for 3 places, and the first place was still from Napa Valley.