Originating in the Burgundy area of France, this versatile grape can be grown and ripened without difficulty almost everywhere except at the extremes of the wine world. It responds well to oak, as long as it is not over-oaked and can have many different flavours depending on terroir and climate. It happily responds to a far wider range of wine-making techniques than most white grape varieties.
In Argentina Chardonnay finds very favourable conditions in Mendoza province and has shown impressive finesse. It is now the second most planted white variety after Torrontes. The moderate climate produces flavours of citrus and stone/melon fruit. Oak ageing adds toasty, nutty flavours and malolactic fermentation (if allowed) can give some creamy, buttery and butterscotch notes.