One of the most popular grapes for growing and consuming, Chardonnay is now the most widely planted white grape variety, globally. Chardonnay hails originally from Burgundy where it established recognition as one of the 6 "noble grapes". Known as such for consistently producing some of the best wine in the world. It has since achieved great popularity around the world, notably in the Central Coast, Napa, and Sonoma in CA, and Western Australia. Chardonnay is commonly produced in a number of styles from oaky and buttery as made popular in Napa California to the leaner more acid driven style popular in Burgundy. Leaner more acid driven style of chardonnay relies on the use of stainless steel or neutral French oak. Chardonnay is also an important grape for sparkling wines, being the one of the varietees of choice for Champagne.