Tasting the Big 9: Chardonnay

If you've never tried Chardonnay, here's some basic information regarding this grape:

• All white wines from Burgundy (France) are made from Chardonnay unless otherwise specified clearly on the label.
• The cooler the climate, the crisper the Chardonnay.
• The warmer the climate, the richer the Chardonnay.
• Oak [barrels] can bulk up Chardonnay's flavour with sweet vanilla, spice, and toasty notes. If it's crisp and light you want, look for the term unoaked.
• When bigger and richer is better, look for bottlings that have spent time in oak barrels, most especially reserve bottlings from California and Australia and high-end Burgundy whites.

Want some varieties to compare? Try finding some of these:

Oaked vs. Unoaked:
Unoaked - Lindemans and Plantanganet, both from Australia
Oaked - Fetzer Barrel Select, Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, R.H. Phillips Toasted Head

Cold Climate vs. Warm Climate:
Cold Climate - Pouilly-Fuissé or Mâcon in Burgundy, France or Mendocino in California
Warm Climate - Languedoc, France; southeastern Australia; or Paso Robles, California

Vineyards:
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay like Flowers, Hartford Court or La Crema Sonoma Coast
Russian River [California] Chardonnay like Frei Brothers, Gallo of Sonoma Laguna, Hanna or La Crema
Dry Creek Valley [California] Chardonnay like Alderbrook, Ferrari-Carano or Pedroncelli