The American white wine market is dominated by Chardonnay grapes, mostly those grown in the Napa Valley and Central California. The best Chardonnay wines are also some of the most sought after globally, with the world’s elite winemaking regions crafting top echelon bottles of beautiful white wine enjoyed by many in the American market.

There are tremendous varieties within the Chardonnay wine range; from dry white wine to semi-sweet versions. The price for good wine starts under $10 and goes through to premier bottles worth hundreds of dollars.

The following collection of Chardonnays to sample offers white wine that can be enjoyed by the wine enthusiast in nearly any situation. The list is dominated by American winemakers, although there are beautiful wines from Australia, South Africa, France, and Argentina on the list.

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1. Ramey Fort Ross-Seaview Chardonnay 2018

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The winegrowers of Fort Ross-Seaview believe that this part of the Sonoma Coast features the ideal combination of sunshine and cool sea air for producing high-quality Chardonnay and pinot noir wine. The Ramey Fort Ross-Seaview Chardonnay is the perfect balance of power and elegance, offering a dynamic fusion of floral aromas, citrus and tropical fruit flavors, along with the influence of French oak.

The sea salt of the Charles Valley vineyard (just two miles from the Pacific) is evident in the grapes, helping provide subtle accents alongside ripe fruit and complex floral notes. The unique aspects of the Fort Ross-Seaview Chardonnay make it a great bottle for entertaining or a romantic dinner out at your favorite seafood restaurant.

David Ramey is a master vintner and legend of the US winemaking scene. Any one of his great wine expressions could have led this list because of their terroir, taste, and accessibility.