Chardonnay is a dry white wine that ranges from crisp and citrusy to rich and buttery, and the label usually tells you which one you are getting. You can browse the full chardonnay shelf at CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd in Westford, and this guide will help you choose a bottle, serve it well and pair it with dinner.
What does chardonnay actually taste like?
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape that grows almost anywhere wine is made, and it takes on the character of the place and the winemaker's choices more than most grapes do. That is why two bottles with the same name on the front can taste quite different.
From cooler growing regions you tend to get green apple, lemon, pear and a clean, mineral finish. From warmer regions the fruit moves toward ripe pear, yellow apple, melon and pineapple, and the wine feels rounder in the mouth.
Then there is what happens in the cellar. A winemaker can ferment and age chardonnay in stainless steel to keep it bright, or in oak barrels to add vanilla, toast and spice. Both are chardonnay. Knowing which style you like is the quickest way to stop guessing at the shelf.
Oaked or unoaked: how do you tell from the label?
Labels rarely say it outright, but there are clues. Words like unoaked, stainless, crisp or fresh point to the lighter style. Words like barrel fermented, barrel aged, reserve or toasty point to the richer one.
The word buttery comes from a process called malolactic fermentation, which turns sharp malic acid, the kind you taste in a green apple, into softer lactic acid, the kind in milk. Winemakers often use it alongside oak, and the result is a creamy texture and a note that people compare to butter or custard.
If you are not sure, ask us at the counter. Tell us whether you like a wine that is zippy and clean or one that is full and smooth, and we can point you to a bottle on the shelf that matches.
Chardonnay we stock
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Which chardonnay bottles can you pick up at CBC Liquors?
We stock several chardonnays that are easy to start with, and they cover different regions and house styles. BUTTER Chardonnay is named for the rich, creamy style described above. KENDALL JACKSON Vintner Chardonnay and HESS Select Chardonnay are widely known California names that are easy to find a place for at the table.
If you like to shop by place, Decoy Sonoma Chardonnay and LA CREMA Monterey Chardonnay both name their California county on the label, which tells you where the grapes were grown. Oyster Bay Chardonnay gives you another producer to compare.
A simple way to learn your own taste is to buy two different bottles and try them side by side with the same meal. After one dinner you will know whether you lean toward the leaner or the richer end.
How cold should chardonnay be?
Serve most chardonnay cool, not ice cold. Somewhere around 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit suits it. Lighter, unoaked bottles are best toward the colder end of that range, and fuller oaked bottles open up a little warmer.
Straight out of a very cold refrigerator, a chardonnay can taste thin and muted, because the cold hides the fruit and the aroma. If your fridge runs cold, take the bottle out about 20 minutes before you pour.
If you are starting from room temperature, two hours in the fridge or about 30 minutes in a bucket of ice and water will bring it down to a good drinking temperature. Pour modest glasses and top up as you go, so the wine in the glass stays cool.
What food goes well with chardonnay?
Chardonnay is a flexible dinner wine. A crisp, unoaked bottle works well with shellfish, grilled fish, salads, and chicken cooked with lemon and herbs. The acidity acts a bit like a squeeze of lemon on the plate.
A richer, oaked or buttery bottle suits food with some weight of its own: roast chicken, pork, lobster or crab with drawn butter, creamy pasta, corn on the cob and mushroom dishes. The wine's creamy texture matches the sauce instead of fighting it.
For a cheese board, think mild and soft. Brie, Gruyère and fresh goat cheese are comfortable matches. Very spicy dishes and heavily smoked meats are harder work for chardonnay, and another style of wine may serve you better there.
How is chardonnay different from sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio?
If you are choosing a white for a gathering, it helps to know where chardonnay sits. Sauvignon Blanc is typically sharper and more herbal, with grapefruit and cut grass notes, and it is almost never aged in oak. Pinot Grigio is usually light, dry and delicate, a wine to sip without thinking much about it.
Chardonnay is the one with the widest range. It can be as lean as either of those or noticeably fuller and rounder, which is why it suits guests with different tastes.
If you want to explore beyond these, the white wine section also includes Riesling, white blends and bottles from France, Italy and Spain, so you can keep going once you have settled on chardonnay.
How long does an open bottle of chardonnay keep?
Put the cork or stopper back in and keep the bottle in the refrigerator. A lighter, unoaked chardonnay is usually at its best for about three days. Oaked styles often hold up a bit longer, up to five days, though the fruit fades gradually.
A vacuum stopper or a smaller bottle in the fridge door can help slow things down. If the wine starts to smell flat, sour or like bruised apple, it has turned, and it is better poured into the kitchen than the glass. Cooking with a splash of leftover chardonnay in a pan sauce is a good use for a bottle that is a few days old but still pleasant.
Store unopened bottles lying on their side if they have a cork, away from heat and direct light.
How do you get chardonnay from CBC Liquors?
You can walk into our shop at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on those same hours.
We also offer delivery, with hours of Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM, and shipping. We serve Westford and nearby towns including Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton and Lowell, and you can see the rest on our delivery areas page.
If you are choosing wine for a dinner or a party, our party planner is a good place to start, and our Wine Styles collection can help you compare.
Common questions
Is chardonnay a dry or sweet wine?
Chardonnay is almost always made dry. A rich, buttery or oaked bottle can taste sweeter because of its ripe fruit and creamy texture, but it is not sweet in the sugar sense.
What is the difference between oaked and unoaked chardonnay?
Oaked chardonnay is fermented or aged in oak barrels, which adds vanilla, toast and a fuller feel. Unoaked chardonnay is usually made in stainless steel and tastes crisper, with more apple, citrus and pear.
Should chardonnay be served chilled?
Yes, cool but not ice cold. Around 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit works for most bottles. Lighter styles suit the colder end and fuller oaked styles suit slightly warmer.
How long does opened chardonnay last?
Re-stoppered and kept in the refrigerator, about three to five days. After that the fruit fades and the wine can turn flat or sour.
Does CBC Liquors in Westford offer chardonnay for pickup or delivery?
CBC Liquors offers pickup, delivery and shipping alongside walking in. Pickup follows our store hours, and delivery has its own hours, listed on this page.
