Chardonnay wines come in a range of styles and characters, depending on things like the climate of the region, the soil in which the grapes are grown and winemaking techniques used.
Typically, Chardonnay is medium to full-bodied, with moderate to high acidity and alcohol (around 12-14% ABV). Chardonnay wines are generally dry, although the grapes are sometimes used in sweet dessert wines.
Ageing in oak barrels is perhaps the biggest factor influencing the style of a Chardonnay. Unoaked Chardonnays are fresh and citrus-fruit-driven. Oaked Chardonnays, especially those made in a ‘Burgundian style’, often also use winemaking techniques such as oak barrels, malolactic fermentation and lees stirring to deliver a ripe and rich wine with buttered toast flavours adding additional layers of complexity.
No matter the style, the older the bottle the more hazelnut flavours will develop in the wine.