Those looking for a Chardonnay they have not tried before have been given some pointers from a wine publication, which also recommended some alternatives to Burgundy wines.

Speaking to Wine Enthusiast magazine, the wine director for Beverly Hills steakhouse Cut, Dana Farner, said those looking for a rich, woody style of Chardonnay will enjoy whites from the Rhone Valley, especially Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

"The fruit characteristic is less apple, more stone fruit, but I feel like a lot of times when people want a really toasty Chardonnay, they're most interested really in the softness, smoothness and oak and white Rhones always work for them," she commented.

Chablis substitutes include Albarino from Spain and Muscadet from the Loire, the publication went on to note, while other Loire whites such as Savennieres and dry Vouvray can stand in for a white Burgundy.

Wine lovers should always have a good chardonnay in the house, according to the Guardian's Victoria Moore.

In an article for the newspaper published last week, she noted that a "classy" chardonnay is useful because it goes well with food and is often better value than some lower grade Burgundies that sometimes lack the same subtlety and structure of flavour.