What are the different winemaking styles of Chardonnay?

The winemakers have the freedom to create various styles of Chardonnay wines according to their preferences and terroirs. Fruit flavors are maintained since Unoaked Chardonnays ferment and age in stainless steel tanks, providing pure fruit expression, with acididty and a refreshing, clean, and crisp profile. Subtle oak character is the hallmark of lightly oaked Chardonnays that are aged in neutral oak barrels for a brief period or use oak alternatives like staves or chips, giving a touch of vanilla and toast that complements rather than masks the fruit character. Chardonnays that are highly oaked, mostly connected with places like California and Australia, are produced and stored in fresh oak barrels, which results in full-bodied wines with a strong oak character, creamy texture, and sophisticated flavors.