Chardonnay is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc (Heunischrebe). The Heunischrebe is the “tribal mother” of many important European grape varieties.
For years Chardonnay was mixed with Pinot Blanc. But Chardonnay has smaller grapes with thin-skinned and yellow-golden berries. Fully ripened, the fruits are slightly brown coloured or rust-red dotted. Chardonnay conquered the international wine market and is now grown whereever wine is produced. It is vinified in many different styles. There are easy drinking bulk wines or complex top wines as the Chardonnays of Burgundy or Chablis.