Chardonnay wine is one of the most popular wines in the world – and with good reason.Chardonnay is balanced, versatile, and easy to pair with a great many delicacies. In fact, Chardonnay is so popular that die-hard fans have labeled that last Thursday in May as “International Chardonnay Day” And, at Halleck Vineyard, we’re pretty partial to this white wine varietal as well….

If you asked any beginning wine drinker to name a white wine, they would probably say Chardonnay. That’s because Chardonnay is the most popular white wine grape in the world. But these same people may not know the answer to the question: “Is Chardonnay sweet or dry?” This is completely understandable. Even some seasoned wine drinkers might be confused on whether Chardonnay is sweet or dry….

Chardonnay is the most popular white wine varietal in the world – and it’s also one of the most diverse. In fact, oaked and unoaked Chardonnay taste couldn’t be more different. Which leads many wine drinkers to scratch their heads and wonder: “What is Chardonnay, really?” What are the characteristics of a Chardonnay grape, and what affects the flavors that end up in your glass? We’re here to demystify this delightful white wine….

Do you know the difference between Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc? 

How about what makes oaked wine taste different from unoaked wine? 

Do either of these questions feel like reading a foreign language? 

It will all make sense with this short read. It can be difficult to pick out the nuances between different white wine varieties and to understand the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) differences between them….