International Chardonnay Day

International Chardonnay Day celebrates Chardonnay, a versatile white-wine grape variety, on the Thursday before Memorial Day in the United States. Chardonnay has roots in Burgundy, France, and is also one of the three base grapes used in Champagne; it is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs Champagne. The grape later spread to wine-producing regions around the world, including California, where it became the state’s most widely planted white variety. Love Wine’s overview of Chardonnay describes how its style can range from crisp and bright to rich and full-bodied.

Chardonnay’s flavor and texture are shaped by climate and winemaking choices. Cooler growing conditions can produce citrus-driven, leaner wines, while warmer climates may bring riper fruit flavors. Stainless-steel production generally preserves a fresh character, whereas oak can add vanilla and spice and contribute to a fuller-bodied profile. Chardonnay is also associated with malolactic fermentation and lees contact, techniques that can create softer or more layered expressions.

The holiday is often credited to wine writer and social media pioneer Rick Bakas, who is said to have established its Thursday-before-Memorial-Day timing. One account notes that the celebration began as a social-media movement, while another credits Bakas with starting the holiday. Today, it offers an opportunity to explore the grape’s range, from unoaked and refreshing wines to oak-aged and buttery styles.

How to Observe International Chardonnay Day

Celebrate by enjoying a Chardonnay and paying attention to its style. Compare an unoaked or stainless-steel-aged wine with an oak-aged one, or taste bottles from different regions to see how climate and winemaking affect the result. You could also organize a small tasting with friends, pair Chardonnay with a meal, or learn more about its Burgundy origins and its role in sparkling wines. If you share your celebration online, #ChardonnayDay is one documented hashtag. Please drink responsibly.

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