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    Chardonnay! The 2022 Guide To The Best Chardonnay Wines

    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.)

    The Best Chardonnay - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

    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.

    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!

    Click here to get a printable shopping list of the best Chardonnay!

    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!

    Photo Credit: Brandon Bourdages/Shutterstock.com

    Kirkland Signature K Vine Chardonnay – High Expectations

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: July 2, 2022 Last Updated: July 7, 2022

    Kirkland Signature K Vine Chardonnay – High Expectations

    $10 Single vineyard Chardonnay from a big name winemaker (Charles Smith), we check out the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature K Vine Chardonnay. Chardonnay from the Evergreen Vineyard in Washington State. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Chardonnay, Costco, Kirkland Signature, Washington

    INSIDER DEAL! Vigilance Chardonnay - Save 60%

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 6, 2022 Last Updated: June 19, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Vigilance Chardonnay - Save 60%

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. 90-Point Chardonnay over 60% off! A combination of aging in new oak (20%) and stainless steel (80%) combine to create a beautifully … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, California - Lake County, Chardonnay, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals

    INSIDER DEAL! 57% OFF Two 91-93 Point Marshall Davis Estate Chardonnays

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 18, 2022 Last Updated: April 20, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Save 57% On Two 91-93 Point Marshall Davis Estate Chardonnays

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. Marshall Davis Wines returns with a discount of over $25 a bottle on two Estate Chardonnays from the Marshall Davis Vineyard in the … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Chardonnay, Deals, Insider Deals, Oregon

    INSIDER DEAL! Raised by Wolves 777 Chardonnay - Stock Up

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 8, 2022 Last Updated: April 11, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Raised by Wolves 777 Chardonnay - Stock Up

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. 60% OFF 94-point South African Chardonnay, the Yardstick Raised by Wolves Cuvee 777 Chardonnay. Heads up Chardonnay lovers, … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Chardonnay, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals, South Africa

    INSIDER DEAL! Farmstrong Field White - Pure Pleasure

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 11, 2022 Last Updated: March 13, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Farmstrong Field White - Pure Pleasure

    SOLD OUT! Sign up below to make sure you don't miss the next deal. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. Stock up for warmer weather with our 43% discount on this fantastic, Bulk Buy rated (93 points) white blend, the Farmstrong Field White. It's … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, California, Chardonnay, Deals, Insider Deals, White Blends

    INSIDER DEAL! $42 Chardonnay for less than $15 a bottle

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: December 20, 2021 Last Updated: January 12, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! $42 Chardonnay for less than $15 a bottle

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. Major discount alert on this Double Gold Medal winner. The Sonoma Highway Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is discounted over 60% for the next … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals

    Kirkland Signature Premier Cru Chablis - Inexpensive Elegance

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: December 1, 2021 Last Updated: January 5, 2022

    Kirkland Signature Premier Cru Chablis - Inexpensive Elegance

    We check out the new vintage of this big time Burgundy at a bargain price, the Kirkland Signature Premier Cru Chablis. 100% Chardonnay from Burgundy, France. The wine sees no oak and is aged in stainless steel for 12 months. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Chardonnay, Costco, France, Kirkland Signature, Thanksgiving

    Mumm Napa Blanc de Blancs - Quite Quaffable

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: November 22, 2021 Last Updated: November 22, 2021

    Mumm Napa Blanc de Blancs - Quite Quaffable

    A highly recommended sparkling wine, the Mumm Napa Blanc de Blancs. 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Gris sparkling wine from Napa Valley, California. The wine is made using the méthode champenoise like Champagne where the secondary fermentation that creates the bubbles … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

    La Vieille Ferme Reserve Brut - Budget Bubbly

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: November 9, 2021 Last Updated: November 9, 2021

    La Vieille Ferme Reserve Brut - Budget Bubbly

    The crisp, bright and tasty La Vieille Ferme Reserve Brut sparkling wine. 90% Chardonnay and 10% Ugni Blanc sparkling wine from France. The secondary fermentation that creates the bubbles happens in the bottle, like Champagne. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

    Pam's Unoaked Chardonnay - Light, Fresh and Tasty

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: October 27, 2021 Last Updated: October 27, 2021

    Pam's Unoaked Chardonnay - Light, Fresh and Tasty

    A solid Chard, the Pam's Unoaked Chardonnay from Ron Rubin Winery. Chardonnay from family-owned vineyards in Clarksburg and Lodi, California. As you probably guessed from the name, the wine does not spend any time in oak. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay

    INSIDER DEAL! Save Over $16 A Bottle On Perfect 10 Chardonnay

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: September 5, 2021 Last Updated: January 12, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Save Over $16 A Bottle On Perfect 10 Chardonnay

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW SOLD OUT! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. The 92-point Center of Effort Chardonnay is 48% off for the next day. I gotta say right off the bat, I was blown away by … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals

    Peaks & Tides Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - Agreeable

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: August 18, 2021 Last Updated: August 18, 2021

    Peaks & Tides Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - Agreeable

    A pleasing, lightly oaked Chardonnay from Aldi, the Peaks & Tides Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Aldi, California, Chardonnay

    Butternut Chardonnay - Tasty Stuff

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: July 2, 2021 Last Updated: July 2, 2021

    Butternut Chardonnay - Tasty Stuff

    Smooth, creamy and a bit buttery, the Butternut Chardonnay. Available widely including Trader Joe's. Chardonnay from California. The wine is aged in 100% new French oak for 7 months. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay, Highly Recommended, Trader Joe's

    Zolo Unoaked Chardonnay – Simple and Fruity

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 26, 2021 Last Updated: July 2, 2021

    Zolo Unoaked Chardonnay – Simple and Fruity

    A good value at the $8 Costco price, the Zolo Unoaked Chardonnay. 100% Chardonnay from estate vineyards in Agrelo and Tupungato in Mendoza, Argentina. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks and has 5.0 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Argentina, Chardonnay, Costco

    Kirkland Signature Russian River Valley Chardonnay - Flavorsome

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 17, 2021 Last Updated: October 1, 2021

    Kirkland Signature Russian River Valley Chardonnay - Flavorsome

    A fruity, lightly-oaked, crowd-pleasing Chard from Costco, the Kirkland Signature Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Chardonnay from Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California. The wine is aged in French oak. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, California - Russian River Valley, Chardonnay, Costco, Kirkland Signature

    Taymor Chardonnay - Nothing Not To Like

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 27, 2021 Last Updated: October 1, 2021

    Taymor Chardonnay - Nothing Not To Like

    Russian River Valley Chardonnay for just $6.99 at Trader Joe's! It's the Bulk Buy rated Taymor Chardonnay. Chardonnay from Russian River Valley, California. The wine does not spend any time in oak. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, California, California - Russian River Valley, Chardonnay, Trader Joe's

    Exquisite Collection Chardonnay - Good Enough

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 27, 2021 Last Updated: May 23, 2021

    Exquisite Collection Chardonnay - Good Enough

    Well made and easy to drink, the Exquisite Collection Chardonnay from Aldi. Chardonnay from California. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Aldi, California, Chardonnay

    Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay - Butterlicious

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 27, 2021 Last Updated: October 1, 2021

    Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay - Butterlicious

    If you like your Chardonnay buttery and slightly sweet, this is the one for you. The Kirkland Signature Sonoma Chardonnay from Costco. Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay, Costco, Kirkland Signature

    INSIDER DEAL! Effort Chardonnay - Mission Accomplished

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: January 17, 2021 Last Updated: January 14, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Effort Chardonnay - Mission Accomplished

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. Effortlessly easy to drink and highly delicious, the highly recommended Effort Chardonnay from Center of Effort … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals

    Mumm Napa Brut Prestige - Classic Classy Bubbles

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: December 29, 2020 Last Updated: May 20, 2021

    Mumm Napa Brut Prestige - Classic Classy Bubbles

    And tasty too! A solid sparkler, the Mumm Napa Brut Prestige. 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris from Napa Valley, California. The wine is made in the traditional method and aged for 18 months. It has 11 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay, Costco, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, Thanksgiving

    BOOM goes the INSIDER DEAL! Vinum Cellars M-80 Chardonnay

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: December 20, 2020 Last Updated: January 14, 2022

    BOOM goes the INSIDER DEAL! Vinum Cellars M-80 Chardonnay

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. 60% off this dangerously good Chardonnay from Carneros, but only for 1 day! The Vinum Cellars M-80 Chardonnay. Bulk Buy rated … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, California, Chardonnay, Deals, Insider Deals

    Kenwood Vineyards Chardonnay - Hits The Spot

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: November 7, 2020 Last Updated: May 23, 2021

    Kenwood Vineyards Chardonnay - Hits The Spot

    Tasty and slightly toasty, the Kenwood Vineyards Chardonnay from Monterey and Sonoma counties. 100% Chardonnay from Monterey County (72%) and Sonoma County (28%), California. The wine is aged for a short period in French and Hungarian oak and a portion of the wine … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay

    Flat Top Hills Chardonnay - Surprisingly Tasty

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: October 16, 2020 Last Updated: May 23, 2021

    Flat Top Hills Chardonnay - Surprisingly Tasty

    Crowd-pleasing, balanced Chardonnay for under 10 bucks, the Flat Top Hills Chardonnay from California. Chardonnay from Yolo County, Dunnigan Hills, Monterey, Monterey Coast and the Central Coast of California. Half of the wine spends time in French oak. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay, Highly Recommended

    Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay – Toasty!

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: October 3, 2020 Last Updated: October 3, 2020

    Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay – Toasty!

    The smooth and rich Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay. Chardonnay from 42 separate blocks of grapes sourced from vineyards across Sonoma County (including Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Carneros and Russian River Valley), California. The wine goes through malolactic … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Chardonnay

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