Chardonnay comes from the finest white grape variety in the world, the green-skinned European vinifera grape. This is the grape that French winemakers transform into the great White Burgundy wines. North American chardonnays are growing in popularity and increasingly winning recognition the world over. Chardonnay is one of the few grapes in the world that does not require blending. It is a highly complex, aromatic grape, complete and balanced enough in flavor to stand beautifully on its own. The artistry of the winemaker's fermentation and aging process brings forth an intriguing variety of delicate aromas and flavors in Chardonnay wines. Chardonnay made as a pure white wine conjures up visions of green apple, lemon or citrus, all pointing to fruity flavor and acidity. Wines made from extremely ripe grapes bear the distinctly softer Chardonnay flavors of figs, pineapples, ripe apples, melons and honey. Chardonnay is always dry and no other wine benefits more from the oak aging process. Earthy, toasty, vanilla, caramel, buttery flavors are all descriptives of a Chardonnay aged in oak. Chardonnay grapes are very expensive, and wine prices often reflect that. Nonetheless, Chardonnay's popularity continues among wine lovers worldwide. Its style may vary from vintner to vintner, barrel to barrel, and harvest to harvest but Chardonnay remains a classic favorite.