chardonnay

noun

char·​don·​nay ˌshär-də-ˈnā 

variants often Chardonnay

: a full-bodied white wine that is known for its complexity, depth of flavor, and capacity to age, that is one of the world's most popular wines, that is notably produced in Burgundy, California, and Australia, and that is used in the production of champagne

also : the grape itself

Examples of chardonnay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For $18, guests can choose from a burger and a beer, ahi tuna tacos and a margarita, raw oysters and a martini, falafel and a gin and tonic, salmon and a glass of white wine or a shrimp roll with a glass of chardonnay. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025

Together, the fog and wind keep the temperature cool and create grapes that ripen later and grow thicker skins, producing distinctive pinot noirs and chardonnays. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025

Ted is crushing golf balls outside and Karen and her chardonnay are prepping a bubble bath while jamming to ABBA, and both activities leave them unable to hear their daughter screaming for her life as the Demo attempts to pull her into the Upside Down. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025

Also new this season is the 2021 Vintage Napa Valley Brut ($89), produced using the traditional méthode champenoise from pinot noir and chardonnay grapes. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, a grape variety, probably from Chardonnay, village in the Mâconnais (region surrounding mâcon)

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chardonnay

• montane
• terrane