On Chardonnay Day, which is observed annually on the Thursday before Memorial Day in the United States and on the Thursday before the last Monday in May in other parts of the globe, we highlight one of the greatest white wines in history. This year’s date is May 25. Chardonnay is a grape variety used to produce one of the most refined-tasting white wines and the winemaker’s favourite, Chardonnay white wines. It is developed by crossing Pinot noir and Gouais blanc, two of the most prestigious grape varieties. This holiday is a social media event that began a little more than a decade ago, encouraging people all over the globe to incorporate more Chardonnay into their lives.
HISTORY OF CHARDONNAY DAY
Today, wine enthusiasts and winemakers from around the world commemorate a special variety of wines that is highly regarded by wine enthusiasts everywhere. That’s correct, we’re talking about Chardonnay!
It is fascinating to note that the name of today’s main attraction, as well as many other grape-variety-titled wines, derives from the grape variety used to produce the wine. This indicates that Chardonnay is a grape variety used in the production of white wine, as opposed to a brand name.
It comes from the Burgundy wine region in eastern France and has green epidermis. Chardonnay is favoured by winemakers due to its neutral flavour, which allows for a variety of inventive options. It is also a terroir wine, which means that its flavour is strongly influenced by the environment in which it was cultivated.
In milder climates, Chardonnay can have flavours of apple, pear, or green plum, whereas in warmer regions, its flavours become more citrus, melon, or even tropical. This premium grape variety may also vary in flavour due to the use of oak or other fruit flavours during fermentation or vinification.
It is believed that Chardonnay originated from a cross between the Pinot noir and nearly extinct Gouais Blanc fruit varieties. The cultivation of Chardonnay is now regarded as a rite of passage for aspiring winemakers around the globe. Its popularity exploded in the late 1900s.
Rick Bakas created Chardonnay Day to increase sales in the wine industry following the 2008 financial crisis. It was carefully scheduled around National Wine Day and the Thursday before Memorial Day to maintain a festive atmosphere.
Five Interesting Chardonnay Facts
It is one of the most well-known varietals
Chardonnay is the second most widely planted white wine grape variety in the globe, accounting for 210,000 hectares.
It also shines
Chardonnay is used to make still wines, effervescent wines, and sweet wines.
It was named after a town
This grape variety is named after the Burgundy village of Chardonnay, located in the Macon region.
The Queen popularised it
The wife of Emperor Charlemagne ordered the planting of white grapes in their Burgundy vineyard to prevent red wine from staining her husband’s beard.
This is a bestseller
Chardonnay is the most popular wine in the United States, with over 840,000 bottles consumed annually.
CHARDONNAY DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | May 26 | Thursday |
| 2023 | May 25 | Thursday |
| 2024 | May 23 | Thursday |
| 2025 | May 22 | Thursday |
| 2026 | May 21 | Thursday |
