Origin: Today, Burgundy is considered the region of origin. There, the parent varieties of Chardonnay were already cultivated in the Middle Ages. It is possible that accidental interbreeding has occurred.

Interbreeding: Chardonnay is a natural interbreeding of Gouais Blanc (Heunisch) and Pinot noir.

Characteristics: The variety is very similar to Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois. The medium-sized green leaves are roundish, usually entire or slightly trilobate. The leaf is blunt toothed and the leaf surface is slightly blistered. The bud burst time is medium and the growth medium to strong. The variety grows upright with little side shoot growth. The white wine variety ripens late with mostly low yield and high must weights. The thin berry skin makes it more susceptible to botrytis.

Grape: The cylindrical grape is rarely shouldered, medium sized and densely berried. The berries are round to slightly oval, thin-skinned with soft flesh and have a greenish yellow to golden yellow colour. When the grapes ripen, the differences to Pinot Blanc are noticeable. Chardonnay ripens a little earlier and has looser grapes.

Wine: The wine is mainly characterised by body (high extract content). The variety produces its best wine quality only at higher ripeness. If the grapes are not ripe enough, the wines become thin and grassy with travelling acidity. It is one of the few white wines that can benefit from ageing in oak barrels. Fresh, fruity wines are very suitable for making sparkling wine. A good Chardonnay lives from its complexity, which only develops in special locations with limestone-rich soils. Depending on the climate and terroir, the grapes can produce very different wines. 

Cultivation: The variety has high vineyard site requirements. Deep, calcareous soils are best suited. On a strong rootstock, soils that are somewhat weak in growth can also be sufficient. Moist and calcareous soils are unsuitable for Chardonnay.

Clones

• The neutral clone FR 150 has a high yield level with 120 kg/100m² on average.
  
  
• The Chardonnay clone FR 155 Duft has an intense aroma with a limited yield of 100 kg/100m² maximum.
  
  
• The small grape clone 616 Gm is characterised by a soft acidity, high must weights and a low yield level. Due to the smaller grapes and the early ripeness, there is a good aroma of citrus fruits.
  

• The Italian clone SMA 130 is in the higher yield range. 

• The Italian clone SMA 123 is in the medium to higher yield range.

• The French clone Entav-Inra 549 is in the medium yield range. 
  

• The grapes of the Italian clone STWA-95-355 show a slight hint of nutmeg, which is also reflected in the wine.