By Vagabond Wineguy
May 22, 2025 – On Chardonnay Day, celebrated annually on the Thursday before Memorial Day in the U.S. and the Thursday before the last Monday in May in other parts of the world, Vagabond Wineguy, a passionate advocate for diverse and delightful wines, raises a glass to one of history’s most celebrated white wines: Chardonnay. This year, the festivities fall on May 22nd.
Chardonnay, a green-skinned grape variety born from the prestigious Pinot Noir and nearly extinct Gouais Blanc, yields white wines renowned for their refined taste and remarkable versatility. As Vagabond Wineguy, I love many different styles of wine from all over the world, states the Vagabond Wineguy. Chardonnay, with its myriad styles, pairs with so many types of cuisine, or can simply be enjoyed on its own. It holds a truly special place in American wine history.
Chardonnay’s Starring Role in History and Cinema.
The grape’s historical significance was famously dramatized in the movie Bottle Shock (2008), which tells the true story of the 1976 “Judgment of Paris.” In this landmark blind taste test, a Napa Valley Chardonnay famously triumphed over esteemed French wines, a true “David and Goliath” tale that propelled California wines onto the global stage. See Youtube Trailer link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYOvh1gE6I4
Beyond Bottle Shock, Chardonnay has made numerous cinematic appearances, often serving to define characters, set the mood, or reflect cultural trends. From DDemi Moores seductive scene in Disclosure to the coining of the “Chardonnay Girl” term for BBridget Jones and even suggested pairings for DDirty Dancingand NNATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATIONChardonnay’s presence in film underscores its pervasive influence.
The Evolution of Chardonnay Day
Chardonnay Day, a social media phenomenon that began just over a decade ago, was created by Rick Bakas in 2010 to boost wine sales after the 2008 bank crisis. It was strategically placed around National Wine Day and the Thursday before Memorial Day to maintain a celebratory spirit. This annual event encourages wine lovers worldwide to embrace the “Chardonnay flavor” in their lives.
5 Interesting Facts About Chardonnay:
Most Popular: Chardonnay is the second most widely planted white wine grape globally, covering 210,000 hectares.
Sparkling Versatility: It’s used in producing still wines, as well as sparkling and sweet wines.
Village Origin: The grape is named after the village of Chardonnay in the Mâcon region of Burgundy, France.
Royal Influence: The wife of Emperor Charlemagne reportedly instructed white grapes to be planted to prevent her husband’s beard from being stained by red wine.
American Favorite: Chardonnay is America’s best-selling wine, with over 840,000 bottles consumed annually.
The Art of Pairing: Chardonnay with Filipino cuisine.
Vagabond Wineguy enthusiastically highlights Chardonnay’s exceptional ability to pair with the diverse flavors of Filipino cuisine.
The key is to consider the style of Chardonnay – oaked versus unoaked – and the dominant flavors and textures of the dish,” he explains.
Buttery/Oaked Chardonnay (notes of vanilla, toast, tropical fruit): Excellently complements richer dishes like Chicken or Pork Adobo (especially less vinegary versions), Chicken Curry, Kare-Kare, Bistek Tagalog, Crispy Pata, Lechon Kawali / Liempo, and creamy Filipino-style pasta dishes.
Unoaked/Crisp Chardonnay (notes of green apple, citrus, minerality): A perfect match for dishes with more acidity, seafood, or lighter preparations such as Sinigang (its fruit-forward acidity enhances the tangy broth), Kinilaw (Filipino Ceviche), grilled or baked white fish like Tilapia or Lapu-Lapu, lighter Pancit dishes, Lumpia, and Ensaladang Mangga (Green Mango Salad).
Ultimately, my philosophy in my 40-plus years in the wine industry has always been: drink what you like with what you like to eat,” VVagabond Wine Guyemphasizes. “You don’t eat what you don’t like, so why should you drink something you don’t like? But if you wish to explore your taste buds, then by all means try the recommendations. Just relax and chill out; it’s all about the people and place that you are with that help a good bottle of Chardonnay taste even better.
Top 10 Chardonnay Under $30: Value and Enjoyment
Vagabond Wineguy also shares his top 10 recommended Chardonnays that offer exceptional quality without breaking the bank, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune for a great bottle.
J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay (Monterey, California)
La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast, California)
Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay (Columbia Valley, Washington)
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay (California)
Bogle Chardonnay (California)
El Enemigo Chardonnay (Mendoza, Argentina)
Cambria Estate Winery Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley, California)
Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages (Burgundy, France)
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay (Russian River Valley, California)
CrossBarn Chardonnay (Sonoma County, California)
For more information on wine, drinks, holidays, and Vagabond Wineguy’s top 10 recommended places to visit for great Filipino food and Chardonnay, please visit his blog at https://angelescityconnect.com/vagabond-wineguy/
