chardonnay: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal / Neutral / Informal (in food & wine contexts)
Quick answer
What does “chardonnay” mean?
A type of white grape variety used to make wine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of white grape variety used to make wine.
A dry white wine made from this grape, often oaked.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. Pronunciation differs (see IPA). There is no significant regional lexical variation.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties: often associated with sophistication, middle-class dining, or leisure. In informal contexts, can be used generically for 'white wine'.
Frequency
High frequency in both cultures within wine, restaurant, and socialising contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chardonnay” in a Sentence
drink [NP (chardonnay)]prefer [NP (chardonnay)] to [NP]serve [NP (chardonnay)] with [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chardonnay” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The winery hopes to chardonnay the new plot next season. (Rare, jargonic)
American English
- They decided to chardonnay that block of the vineyard. (Rare, jargonic)
adjective
British English
- She prefers a chardonnay-style wine from Australia.
American English
- The chardonnay character was too oaky for my taste.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in hospitality, viticulture, and export industries: 'The company's chardonnay exports grew by 15%.'
Academic
Used in oenology (wine science) and agricultural studies: 'The study analysed phenolic compounds in Burgundian chardonnay.'
Everyday
Common in social and dining situations: 'Shall we get a bottle of chardonnay with the fish?'
Technical
Used in winemaking with specific descriptors: 'Malolactic fermentation is common for many chardonnays.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chardonnay”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chardonnay”
- Misspelling: 'chardonnay' (correct) vs. 'chardonay', 'shardonnay'.
- Using as a countable plural for types: 'three chardonnays' is acceptable informally; formally 'three chardonnay wines' is preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, chardonnay is typically produced as a dry white wine, though its style (oaked/unoaked, buttery/crisp) varies widely by region and winemaker.
Yes, chardonnay is one of the three main grapes (along with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) used in Champagne and other traditional method sparkling wines.
'Oaked' chardonnay is aged in oak barrels, imparting vanilla, butter, or toast flavours. 'Unoaked' (or 'unwooded') is aged in stainless steel, highlighting the grape's natural crisp, fruity characteristics.
No, the grape variety is named after the village of Chardonnay in the Mâconnais region of Burgundy, France, but the word itself now refers globally to the grape and wine type.
A type of white grape variety used to make wine.
Chardonnay is usually formal / neutral / informal (in food & wine contexts) in register.
Chardonnay: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɑː.dəˈneɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɑːr.dəˈneɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ABC (Anything But Chardonnay)”
- “movie star chardonnay (refers to oaky, buttery style)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHARing a bottle of sunnAY chardonnay on a sunny day.'
Conceptual Metaphor
WINE IS A LIVING ENTITY (It can be 'buttery', 'crisp', 'young', 'age', 'develop').
Practice
Quiz
What is a key characteristic of an 'oaked' chardonnay?