Spring into the Season with Chardonel

April 02, 2025

Springtime is here with warmer weather and longer days. While any Missouri wine is perfect to sip year-round, April is Chardonel month! Spring into the season with a glass of Chardonel!

Chardonel (shar-doe-nel) is a hybrid grape made from Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay. Chardonel is a late ripening white wine grape that produces a high-quality and full-bodied wine. It is distinguished by its superior wine quality combined with high productivity. The grape’s cold hardiness is superior to its acclaimed parent, Chardonnay, which you may have heard of. This wine can be fermented in oak or stainless-steel barrels. The Chardonel grape was developed in 1953, and the varietal was released in 1990.

7.2% of the grapes grown in Missouri are Chardonel. This varietal produces wines with delightful flavors of pear, apple, and apricot, often enriched with an oaky undertone when aged in barrels. Chardonel is known for its full-bodied, rich, and complex profiles, and also offers a crisp finish.

Serve Chardonel chilled at an ideal temperature of 44-55°F to fully appreciate. It pairs beautifully with creamy white cheeses, grilled chicken and fish, mushrooms, almonds, pasta in cream sauce, and desserts like vanilla cake, banana bread, and apple dishes.