If you've got a bottle of Chardonnay and you're wondering what food to pair it with, here are some of the tastiest pairings! This Chardonnay Food Pairing guide will walk you through easy food and wine pairings for the most delicious meal.
Ah, Chardonnay. One of the most popular white wines out there, and yet also one of the most misunderstood wines.
Chardonnay got a bad rap in the early 1980s and 1990s, when regions such as California and Australia started mass producing the dry white wine in large scale productions. Much of this Chardonnay was overly oaked, resulting in big, buttery Chardonnay wine. A trend of ABC wine drinkers - Anything But Chardonnay - emerged during this time. And to this day, many people think all Chardonnay is super buttery and overly oaky.
But that is far from the case! As a WSET Level 2 with Distinction certified wine pro, I've had the delicious opportunity to taste a wide range of Chardonnay wines. While the buttery California Chardonnays do still exist, today you'll find crisp, refreshing, light-bodied Chardonnays and lightly oaked medium-bodied Chardonnays.
Truth be told, I think there is a Chardonnay for every type of wine drinker out there. And, as a cookbook author and recipe developer, I can tell you there is a Chardonnay that can pair deliciously with almost any dish out there, as well!
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How to use this wine guide
This comprehensive Chardonnay wine pairing guide can help you find the right type of Chardonnay wine to pair with many different types of cuisines and dishes.
In this wine and food pairing guide, we'll cover the basics of Chardonnay wine, give you some examples of best food pairings for Chardonnay, and help you
Use the links in the table of contents above to jump ahead to different sections.
You can click on recipe title links in this post to find specific recipes that would pair well with Chardonnay.
🍇 What is Chardonnay?
Let's begin with the very basics: Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted white grape varieties that's grown all over the world. It's known for producing a range of different styles of wine, from light and crisp to rich and full-bodied.
Chardonnay FAQs
Chardonnay is one of the grape varieties that you can find almost anywhere in the world. It's mainly grown in France, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Chile.
France is the birthplace of Chardonnay. And it's still one of the most important regions for this grape. The most famous French Chardonnay wines come from the Burgundy region, where the wine is made in a very specific style.
Burgundy Chardonnay is known for being unoaked, with a focus on the terroir and the natural flavors of the grape. The wines are often described as having a minerality that is unique to the region. They also are known for aromas of lemon, green apple, and pear.
Here in the United States, Chardonnay is grown mainly in California, Oregon, and Washington state. California is the largest producer of Chardonnay in the country, and California wines are known for being full-bodied, oaky, and rich, with a creamy mouthfeel. Meanwhile, Oregon Chardonnay is often unoaked and aged in stainless steel and/or concrete, creating a light-bodied, crisp white wine.
Some common aromas and flavors of Chardonnay include:
- Lemon, lime, and green apple
- Peach, apricot, and tropical fruit
- Vanilla, butter, and toast (often from oak aging)
- Minerality and flinty notes
- Creamy mouthfeel (often from malolactic fermentation)
- High acidity (in cooler climates) or low acidity (in warmer climates)
Best Chardonnay food pairing recipes
Now that you know a little more about this popular white wine, let's dive into some of my favorite food pairings!
Chardonnay with roast chicken
Chardonnay's acidity and fruity notes pair beautifully with the savory, comforting flavors of roast chicken. Whether you're enjoying a classic roast chicken dinner or a dish with bold flavors like Thai lemongrass chicken, Chardonnay is the perfect choice.
Salmon pairing
Chardonnay and salmon are a classic pairing - for good reason. The wine's citrus notes and bright acidity balance the rich, fatty flavor of the fish.
Grilled shrimp
A light-bodied, unoaked Chardonnay with high acidity would make the perfect pairing for grilled shrimp. The wine's crispness matches the delicate flavors of the shrimp and also balances the flavors of any grilled fruits and vegetables along with it.
Fettuccine alfredo
The buttery notes of an oaked Chardonnay make it the ideal pairing for creamy pasta dishes like fettuccine alfredo. The wine's bright acidity helps cut through the richness of the sauce, creating a well-balanced pairing.
Chardonnay with roast pork
Chardonnay's acidity and fruity notes pair beautifully with the savory, rich flavors of roast pork. Whether you're enjoying a classic pork roast or an elevated dish like pork tenderloin with apples, Chardonnay is the perfect choice to complement the dish's flavors.
Lobster pairing
Chardonnay and lobster are a match made in heaven. A creamy, slightly oaky Chardonnay will complement the sweet, delicate flavor of the lobster. This is a truly pairing that's perfect for a special occasion.
Mushroom risotto
A Chardonnay with subtle buttery notes and bright acidity would make the perfect pairing for creamy, savory dishes like mushroom risotto. The wine's fruity notes complement the earthy, umami flavor of the mushrooms.
Cheese pairing
A full-bodied Chardonnay with creamy texture and fruity notes would pair beautifully with rich, buttery cheeses like Brie and Camambert. The white wine's acidity helps cut through the cheese's richness, creating a well-balanced pairing.
Whether you're enjoying a casual weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal, I hope you enjoy these Chardonnay food pairings. Cheers!
More wine & food pairings
🍷 Have you tried one or more of the wine & food pairings listed here? If so, leave a comment below and let us know how they paired together!
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