chardonnay

noun, often capitalized char·don·nay \ ˌshär-dᵊn-ˈā \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of chardonnay

: a dry white table wine typically made from a single white grape variety originally grown in France; also : the grape

Recent Examples of chardonnay from the Web

Just last week, Otsuka carted in dozens of bottles of zinfandel (2015) and chardonnay (2016) to stock the open bar at a reception at an upscale law firm on the 26th floor of a skyscraper in downtown San Francisco.

— rebecca robbins, STAT, "The strange story of a global pharma company’s Silicon Valley winery," 9 Apr. 2018
Viognier is different from chardonnay — markedly different — and did not have the stuff required for widespread appeal.

— michael austin, chicagotribune.com, "Love chardonnay? Give viognier a try," 30 Mar. 2018
According to the Heritage Oak guide, the chardonnay tastes like pineapple, the Zinfandel tastes like jam, the malbec tastes like plums and the charbono tastes like licorice and blueberries.

— steve rubenstein, San Francisco Chronicle, "Less-traveled Lodi wine region perfect for two-wheeled wander," 28 Mar. 2018
Smith-Madrone Chardonnay Spring Mountain District 2015 3 stars Napa Valley, California, $34 Some chardonnays whack you in the face with an oak two-by-four.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "This Oregon pinot noir will challenge and thrill your palate," 27 Feb. 2018
This all-chardonnay, from a top producer in the village of L’Etoile, is full of mineral flavors and zingy acidity.

— elin mccoy, Bloomberg.com, "Forget Prosecco: French Crémants Should Be Your Champagne Alternative," 21 Feb. 2018
Thanks to the bottle of organic chardonnay, antipasti, remote views of the valley and a troupe of neighboring wallabies, we weren't disappointed.

— catherine ridha, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Remote Valley is Australia's Best Kept Secret," 21 Mar. 2018
Don't leave without trying the Blanco del Rancho Mogorcito, a delightful sauvignon blanc-chardonnay blend that delivers bright, fruity, unoaked flavors ($17.10 per bottle).

— nicole evatt, chicagotribune.com, "Mexico wine country: Foodie paradise and tastings in Baja," 2 Mar. 2018
There’s also a Sauvignon Blanc from Andréa’s hometown of Marlborough, NZ, and a chardonnay and red blend from California, where Robin lives.

— miamiherald, "This blanket is more than a blanket — and perfect for people who get cold feet," 12 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chardonnay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chardonnay

French

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First Known Use: 1892

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chardonnay

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