Chardonnay

VIVC 2455 · white

Chardonnay is a white-berried grape from France and one of the three main varieties of Champagne, where it covers 31% of the area under vine.1,2 VIVC records its pedigree, confirmed by DNA markers, as Heunisch Weiss (Gouais Blanc) × Pinot.1,3

Identity in VIVC

The Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC) lists Chardonnay under variety number 2455, with the prime name Chardonnay Blanc.1 The berry skin is recorded as white and the country of origin as France.1 The catalogue gives 173 synonyms, among them Beaunois, Morillon Blanc, Epinette Blanche, Melon d'Arbois, Pinot Chardonnay and Feinburgunder.1

Pedigree

VIVC enters the pedigree in the field "pedigree confirmed by markers": Heunisch Weiss × Pinot.1 Heunisch Weiss is the VIVC prime name of the variety known in France as Gouais Blanc (VIVC 5374).3

The finding goes back to a 1999 paper in Science by Bowers and colleagues. Working with 32 microsatellite loci, they showed that 16 wine grapes of north-eastern France, including Chardonnay, Gamay, Aligoté and Melon, have genotypes consistent with descent from one pair of parents: Pinot and Gouais Blanc.4 VIVC records the same two parents for Gamay and Aligoté.5,6

In Champagne

Chardonnay is a principal variety in the Champagne cahier des charges.7 Comité Champagne gives it 31% of the area under vine; the page does not state a reference year.2 On its part in the blend, the Comité writes that "it brings a wonderful freshness to Champagne" and calls it "an ideal grape for producing wines that age well".2

A pink-skinned form, Chardonnay rose, is also listed among the principal varieties; Comité Champagne says it joined the authorised varieties in 2025.7,2

Other sparkling appellations

AppellationRule for Chardonnay
CavaAuthorised white variety8
Alta LangaPinot Nero and/or Chardonnay: 90-100% of the holding's vineyards9
Prosecco DOCUp to 15% together with other listed varieties10
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCGAllowed, with Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero and Pinot Grigio, for wines made by the traditional processes (Art. 5(3))11
Crémant de LoireListed white variety12
Crémant de BourgogneListed; Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir together at least 30% of the cuvée13
Crémant d'AlsaceListed for white Crémant d'Alsace14
Crémant du JuraPrincipal white variety, with Savagnin15

The DOP Cava specification describes its contribution in one sentence: "La Chardonnay da vinos base bien constituidos, con grado y buena acidez" (Chardonnay gives well-built base wines with good alcohol and acidity).8

The Crémant rules are quoted from INAO draft amendments published for national opposition.

See also

Pinot NoirGrapesMeunierGrapesChampagneRegionsCôte des BlancsRegionsBlanc de blancsStylesCavaRegionsAlta LangaRegionsGamayGrapes

Sources

  1. Vitis International Variety Catalogue (JKI Geilweilerhof). VIVC passport data: CHARDONNAY BLANC (variety number 2455)
  2. Comité Champagne (champagne.fr). Champagne and its grape varieties
  3. Vitis International Variety Catalogue (JKI Geilweilerhof). VIVC passport data: HEUNISCH WEISS (variety number 5374)
  4. Science / PubMed. Bowers J, Boursiquot JM, This P, Chu K, Johansson H, Meredith C. Historical genetics: the parentage of Chardonnay, Gamay, and other wine grapes of northeastern France. Science 285(5433):1562-1565 (PubMed record 10477519) (1999-09-03)
  5. Vitis International Variety Catalogue (JKI Geilweilerhof). VIVC passport data: GAMAY NOIR (variety number 4377)
  6. Vitis International Variety Catalogue (JKI Geilweilerhof). VIVC passport data: ALIGOTE (variety number 312)
  7. Cahier des charges de l'AOP « Champagne » - modifications approved by the INAO national committee on 11 September 2024 (national opposition procedure text) (2024-09-11)
  8. Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (Spain). Pliego de condiciones de la Denominación de Origen Protegida «Cava»
  9. Regione Piemonte. Disciplinare di produzione DOCG «Alta Langa» (latest modification DM 13 October 2014, GU n. 245 of 21 October 2014) (2014-10-13)
  10. Consorzio di Tutela della DOC Prosecco (reproduction of the official text). Disciplinare di produzione della DOC «Prosecco» (latest modification DM 19 June 2023, GURI n. 148 of 27 June 2023) (2023-06-19)
  11. UK government GI register (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk). Production regulations of the DOCG «Conegliano Valdobbiadene - Prosecco» (English translation, file dated 12.2018) (2018-12)
  12. INAO. Cahier des charges AOC « Crémant de Loire » - draft modification after national committee opinion of 6 September 2018 (2018-09-06)
  13. INAO. Cahier des charges AOC « Crémant de Bourgogne » - draft modification after national committee opinion of 11 February 2021 (2021-02-11)
  14. INAO. Cahier des charges AOC « Crémant d'Alsace » - draft modification after national committee opinion of 11-12 June 2025 (base text last amended by arrêté of 26 May 2025) (2025-06-12)
  15. INAO. Cahier des charges AOC « Crémant du Jura » - draft modification after national committee opinion of 18 June 2026 (current text homologated 21 October 2019) (2026-06-18)

Facts checked on 2026-10-19