A great vine variety from Bourgogne and Champagne, chardonnay vines are planted almost all over the world. In most vineyards, it is wrongfully named ‘pinot blanc'. It has to be said in its defence that certain characteristics such as the shape of the leaves, the size of the grapes or the time of ripening can make one mistake it for the pinot family. We can however dismiss any direct relationship between chardonnay and pinot blanc.

Bourgogne and Champagne claim to have the ‘original' chardonnay. The furthest traces show that the white grape has grown in the latter region since the first year of our Lord and as no other vine variety has been mentioned until the 17^th Century when the famous sparkling wine was invented, some consider that it could only be chardonnay.

Chardonnay is an early-fruiting vine variety, making it rather easy to grow. Naturally it can be sensitive to spring frosts and sometimes to powdery mildew and grey rot, but it does have other qualities that must be highlighted. The infatuation that most wine makers have for chardonnay the world over are due to its ease to adapt, its sturdiness, its regular productivity and its ability to ripen and produce sugar whilst maintaining a certain acidity. 

Often confused with pinot blanc, chardonnay distinguishes itself by the shape of its leaf. A lively pale green colour, it is slightly bubbled when the grapes are ripe. The three lobes are slightly outlined and the edges curl up. The cylindrical bunch of grapes sometimes has two fins. The amber yellow grapes are round and slightly elongated.

Chardonnay is a calm wine, whose character can be recognised by its balance between fatty and acidic. One often notices pineapple and citrus flavours but the range of flavours is actually much richer, going from lime blossom to white fruits whilst having a honey or buttery touch.

With the image of the famous Montrachet in mind, chardonnay sometimes touches the sublime and the immortal. Under our skies as in the more southern vineyards, the grapes should not be allowed to over ripen as they become unrefined and they lose their wonderful freshness.

Chardonnay can be found all across France, except in the South West and in the centre. Almost 36,000 hectares were counted in 1999. The estimated 130,000 hectares worldwide at the end of the century are thought to reach 150,000 hectares in the not too distant future. Chardonnay has been grown in Valais since the 1920s. Since then, it has not ceased to progress. It went from covering 43 hectares in 1991 to 66 in 2002 despite the abundant choice of native white vine varieties. Not surprising really, considering that this vine variety can be made into so many different types of wine: peaceful, sparkling or dessert.

Being a wine well suited to gastronomy, chardonnay goes well with seafood but also with meats such as ham, poultry or veal.