The Best Chardonnay

Chardonnay can be a bit of a love/hate proposition for a lot of people, but it doesn't have to be that way!

On the one hand you have the big, buttery style of wines that undergo malolactic fermentation and are usually aged in oak. (On a side note, because oak aging is associated with this style most people presume that is where the buttery notes come from but that is not the case - see the full explanation in our Ask The Expert episode on this question.)

On the other hand you have the naked, or unoaked, style that lets the true beauty of the grape shine through. While we naturally gravitate towards the latter group some of our very favorite Chardonnays are those that blend a bit of both styles together.

Click here to get a printable shopping list of our recommended wines!

In this category we call out our favorites in both the oaked, unoaked and combined styles which means that we've got something for everyone!

Not only that, but we don't restrict our search for the best Chardonnay to California. One of the most grown grapes in the world, there's plenty of good Chardonnay to be found in places like France, Italy, Chile and more.

Read on for our picks of The Best Chardonnay Under $20!

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