Crisp and Clean: 10 Unoaked Chardonnays From Around the World

Chardonnay is the most widely planted white wine grape in the world, and for good reason. Its incredible versatility is responsible for complex and age-worthy Champagne as well as covetable, clean white Burgundy.

But while oaky Chardonnay remains popular, unoaked ones show the crisper side of the grape and run the gamut from light and simple to serious and ageable. There are fantastic unoaked Chardonnays produced all over the world, from Alto Adige to Mendocino County. Cool-climate areas are a great place to start exploring them. 

“I find that unoaked Chardonnay works best in cool climates, where they struggle to get the fruit ripe enough to be able to hold up to the added weight and flavor imparted by the barrel and other winemaking influences [like malolactic fermentation and lees stirring],” says Christina Pickard, a Wine Enthusiast writer at large who reviews wines from New York, Australia and New Zealand. “In New York, for example, the unoaked approach often works well, making for a leaner, more neutral, but perfectly pleasant style.”

The most common aging vessel for unoaked Chardonnay is stainless-steel barrels, but winemakers are increasingly using other neutral options like concrete eggs and clay amphora.

To explore the white wine’s extraordinary range outside of oak barrels, try these standout unoaked Chardonnays aged in stainless steel, plus a few top-rated bottles aged in concrete and amphora.

Stainless Steel 

Because stainless steel is non-porous, as opposed to oak, it limits the influence of oxygen, allowing wine to retain more of its fresh character. Chardonnays aged in stainless steel also tend to be paler in color (think gold or straw) because it’s not exposed to the oxidative effects of oak. Chablis, in northwest Burgundy, is one of the more famous regions for this fresh, acid-driven style of Chardonnay, but we’re also loving bottles from Alto Adige, the Russian River Valley, Mendocino and the Finger Lakes.

Sean Boyd, owner/winemaker at Sightglass Cellars, told us he uses stainless steel on his white wines, including Chardonnay, “to capture the essence of the fruit in a cleaner, brighter fashion than, say, using something that would mask some of those flavors a bit, like oak … It helps to retain the flavor of the vineyard and its individual personality, and stays nice and crisp.”

Wine Enthusiast recommends:

Elena Walch 2023 Chardonnay (Alto Adige) (Steel)

This Chardonnay is packed full of crunchy green and red apple aromas that lead the nose. Mineral-driven and super tasty, it delivers bold, refreshing flavors that hit the mark with every sip. With killer acidity backing it up, this wine is all about energy and vibrancy. Solid and satisfying, but with just enough edge to keep it exciting and on your toes. Editors’ Choice. 93 points — Jeff Porter

$25 Gary’s Wine and Marketplace

Toad Hollow 2022 Francine’s Selection, Unoaked Chardonnay (Mendocino County) (Steel)

This wine is bright, lush, with aromas of peach, apple, clove, and notes of vanilla on the nose. The flavors on the palate are nectarine, Yellow apple, citrus blossom, intertwined with allspice, lemon peel, mineral, and a dry long finish. Best Buy. 94 points — Tonya Pitts $16 Total Wine

Williams Selyem 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

This Chardonnay is a breath of fresh air. Lively citrus aromas pair with juicy pineapple, chalky minerality and jasmine on the nose, while the palate gives fresh nectarine and lemon-lime acidity through the exceptionally long finish. Drink this with oysters on a beautiful summer afternoon. 94 points — Tom R. Capo

$83 Mr. D Wine Merchant

Slusser Ranch 2020 Unoaked Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) (Steel)

Fresh aromas of mango, pineapple and fresh lemon jump from the nose of this stainless steel-aged Chard. The palate brings more tropical fruits, some chalky minerality and mouthwatering lemon-lime acidity across a long finish. This is very nimble and energetic stuff that unoaked Chard lovers will go crazy for at this price. 92 points — T.C.

$25 Vinoshipper

Girlan 2023 Chardonnay Chardonnay (Alto Adige) (Steel)

Crisp green apple and citrus aromas tickle the nose, while the palate is greeted with vibrant acidity and a core of ripe stone fruits. The wine’s focused minerality, reminiscent of wet river stones, provides a solid backbone that carries through to the finish, where a pleasant combination of slate, white peach and baked apple essences linger. 90 points — J.P.

$23 Wine.com

Alain Pautré 2023 Chablis (Steel)

Ripe and round, with vibrant citrus, tangerine, and orange oil on the nose. The palate is textured and well-structured, with a touch of lemongrass and a wealth of stone minerality. White peach and lemon oil add complexity, finishing with impressive depth and minerality. 93 points — Anna-Christina Cabrales

$30 Granada Wine and Spirits

Fox Run 2021 Doyle Family Chardonnay (Seneca Lake) (Steel)

This comes from one of the oldest Chardonnay vineyards in New York. Peach and lemon aromas are underpinned by a subtle lees-y toasted coconut note. There’s lovely texture to the midweight palate, and that signature cool-climate acidity. A balanced, versatile and food-friendly drop for a bargain price. Best Buy. 91 Points — Christina Pickard

$15 Wine Made Easy

Concrete

Winemakers opt for concrete tanks and eggs to make fresher, more site-specific Chardonnays. Concrete allows for a small amount of oxygen to interact with the wine, helping it age without imparting an oak influence. Some producers believe that concrete introduces minerality and a wet stone character.

Wine Enthusiast recommends:

Sangiacomo 2022 Four Siblings Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) (Concrete)

The captivating nose of this wine expresses aromas of Anjou pear, honeycomb, marzipan and white flower. On the palate, a kaleidoscope of fresh Golden Delicious apple, pear and Rainier cherry flavors come with a subtle kiss of fresh sage and thyme. A very long finish dances between plush acidity and aromatic intensity. 96 points — T.C.

$70 Sangiacomo Wines

Tongue Dancer 2022 Magnolia Montrachet Chardonnay (Dry Creek Valley) (Concrete)

The wildly complex nose of this wine blossoms with a few swirls, giving distinctly rocky minerality, green pear, orange blossom and tangerine peel aromas. The palate of this concrete-egg-fermented-and-aged Chardonnay is an exercise in marvelous balance, dancing between mouthwatering Meyer lemon acidity, chamomile and saline-drenched lime peel. Editors’ Choice. 95 points — T.C.

$59 Tongue Dancer Wines

Amphora

While stainless steel creates an oxygen-free aging environment and oak allows for plenty of oxidizing (and tannins imparted from the wood), amphora is a bit of a middle ground. The clay’s porousness allows some oxygen in, lending wines a richer texture, but it’s a neutral material that, like stainless steel, doesn’t add any extra layers of flavor. 

People have aged wine in amphora for thousands of years, likely beginning in the modern-day nation of Georgia. In Portugal, amphorae are called talha, while in Italy they’re anfore, orci or giare. Whatever you call it, the ancient aging method is coming back into fashion, in Old World and New World regions alike.

Holocene 2023 Pyxis Chardonnay (America) (Amphora)

Pacific NW Chardonnay aged in amphora combines the ancient and new in beautiful fashion. Pyxis smells like cold well water laced with minerals, along with honeysuckle, orange blossoms and macadamia nuts. The wine feels taught and crisp on the palate with its energizing acidity and flavors like orange zest, pineapple and the bite of yarrow. Pair this new wine with the ancient kotopoulo souvlaki. Editors’ Choice. 95 points — Michael Alberty

$70 Tacoma Wine Merchants

More Chardonnay Coverage:

• Our guide to the top-rated Chardonnays has something for every palate.
• If you’re a Chard lover looking to branch out, consider these 7 worthy Chardonnay alternatives.
• These are the best Chardonnays under $20.
• And our favorite Chablis at every price point.
• It’s hard to find a bad white Burgundy—these 10 are exceptional.

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