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

Pair it with a glass from Kyoto's Tamba winery or a Japanese chardonnay. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

The third course is butter-poached lobster with tagliolini pasta, pancetta and green peas in parmesan chardonnay butter sauce. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Fizz Champagne & Bubbles Bar offers seven drink options for happy hour, including French sparkling blanc de blanc, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado january 2, Sacbee.com, 2 Jan. 2026

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

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