(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-PLMSBWP');     (function(a,b,c,d){     a='//tags.tiqcdn.com/utag/thunder/goldenstate/prod/utag.js';     b=document;c='script';d=b.createElement(c);d.src=a;d.type='text/java'+c;d.async=true;     a=b.getElementsByTagName(c)[0];a.parentNode.insertBefore(d,a);     })();
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.9&appId=172847629912656"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

This Grape Makes Up 16% of Total Wine Acres Planted in California

It originated in France, but the Golden State is known for this popular white.

Chardonnay, that crowd-pleasing yet controversial wine grape, is the most planted varietal in the world. Some love it. Others loathe it. And whether you like it full of oak and butter or more on the crisp, clean side, California wineries are happy to have you sample their own take on the bottle.

According to a handy guide from the California Wine Club, Chardonnay hails from the French region of Burgundy, where it grows abundantly. Chablis is made with Chardonnay grown in the village of Chablis.

What gives Chardonnay that complex, buttery taste and texture? “Malolactic fermentation, which is a secondary fermentation of the grapes. The more malolactic fermentation, the richer-textured the Chardonnay. When malolactic fermentation is used in conjunction with oak, it can create butterscotch flavors. If you enjoy a very buttery Chardonnay, look for wines with extended malolactic fermentation (or MLF).”

You can read more on Chardonnay and what foods to pair it with here.

More Stories
Giving Back, Makers + Entrepreneurs, Sustainability

Show Your Support for the California Fire Foundation with a Pledge

We’re thankful for our firefighters’ bravery and hard work during a devastating fire season.

Makers + Entrepreneurs

Ventura-Based Boat Maker Jeff Hull Proves There’s Never a Bad Time to Seek out a More Meaningful Direction with Your Work

Against the current.

Arts + Culture, Design, Homes + Spaces

A SoCal Couple Fills Their Modern Home with Works from Abstract Expressionists

Artistic immersion.