Chardonnay is the sole white grape among Champagne’s three principal grape varieties.
In Champagne, Chardonnay is valued for its high acidity, citrus character, floral notes, and ability to develop with age. It is especially associated with the Côte des Blancs, a chalky subregion south of Épernay where villages such as Avize, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger are renowned for Chardonnay vineyards.
Champagne producers can use Chardonnay in blends with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, or make blanc de blancs Champagne entirely from white grapes. The phrase means “white of whites,” referring to a white wine made from white grapes. Chardonnay-based wines often seem lighter and more linear when young, but can gain creamy, nutty, and toasty complexity through bottle aging.
Chardonnay is not exclusive to Champagne: it is grown worldwide, including in Burgundy, California, Australia, and New Zealand. Its role and style vary substantially by climate and winemaking method.