Chardonnay 2011. Absoluely delicious wine, very elegant, redolent of a fine French burgundy. “What are those curious birds!” I can’t help but ask, as we tour the vineyard of Bodega Bouza in Uruguay. My guides are Eduardo Boido, winemaker and Cristina Santoro, who manages PR and communications. They will be vinified here to start.

sett two glasses in front of everyone, a Zalto Universal glass and a Schott Zwiesel Burgundy bowl. My friend elected to pour it in the Burgundy bowls, as the other wine for this course was a sparkling wine, and he thought that the sparkling wine should be served in the Zaltos. I love blind tasting. began to think Chablis.

Domaine du CHARDONNAY. Burgundy News diva beauneFabulous two days of tasting at Diva Beaune, a small event in conjunction with the Grands Jours de Bourgogne where small producers as well as major names and brands poured wine. discovered many talented small producers here. Didier et Jean Louis AMIOT. Domaine Robert AMPEAU et Fils.

Mike told me that he’s most proud of the Champagne and Burgundy selections, and they are particularly deep, with many grower Champagnes (though the only Selosse is the Initiale!). But there’s one wine that customers won’t find here: Yellow Tail chardonnay. New York City wine shops

This wine is all Bouzy, a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, but it reminded me of a wine I tasted a few years ago by Moutard that is made with the obscure grapes of Champagne, things like Arbanne and Petit Meslier. Oh no, my friends, I've been a very lucky Brooklynguy lately, in large part due to the generosity of friends.

This bottle comes entirely from 2008 and is a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Sigalas Gutierrez Colosía La Guita Marie-Noëlle Ledru Sherry Domaine Leroy Champagne Burgundy Santorini Benoît Lahaye SelosseWell, of the last few months anyway. So I'll compile them in a best-of-the-unposted list from the last part of 2011.

During our visit to the maturation room, we see he uses a mix of Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels because the shapes and staves are different, and thus, the oxygen exchange due to the ratio of wine to barrel is different and important for the final blend. One of the problems with being biodynamic in Champagne is the cold, wet, rainy weather.

Now owned by Anthony Russell (son of the founder) and producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 1989, he competed for a prize to visit Burgundy for a week’s visit with Paul Bouchard, the Burgundian domaine/negotiant. He offers three handcrafted wines – sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and a syrah based blend called ‘Serenity.’ link].

Since we had tasted a Coenobium Rusticum previously, I decided to go with a wine from the Jura–the Montbourgeau 2008 L’Etoile Chardonnay ($20). This isn’t your mother’s chardonnay–this is an oxidative chardonnay that spends two years in barrel. “Will you wear a wool hat?,” wine picks

The tapestry, with its bold vivid colors of burgundy, gold, and electric blue, is elegantly draped over the glass-enclosed barrel cellar below and depicts a merry feast of gorgeously dressed men and women playing instruments, dancing, and having a great time. Welcome!” Apparently, Rabelais celebrated the hedonistic pleasures of the body ….

Now the California wine conversation was interesting, because we were just served two wines, a Merryvale Chardonnay 2008 and a Domaine Roumieu Bonnes Mares 2000. The majority of the sommeliers, however, felt that for the price of the California chard they could have bought a killer white Burgundy. so now we are having beer (!)

Comtes Lafon is one of the iconic domaines in Burgundy. Maybe you don't know this about me, but I really like Burgundy wine. If I were to buy a bottle from roughly 1996 - 2002 there is the pre-mox risk too, although supposedly Lafon did a better job of avoiding pre-mox problems that did most other white Burgundy producers.

What can you say about an excellently turned out Chardonnay? Which brings me back to the Chardonnay. It's a bit riper than a Burgundy and with more alcohol 14% yet is very Burgundian in style in its elegance. He is extremely poised and well-spoken, and easily answers all of my technical questions about the wine.

Wells Guthrie had his conversion on the road home from Burgundy. The lanky, California maker of pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah told me at his Sonoma winery that he had his conversion in 2005, after returning from a trip to Burgundy and the Rhone. Saul had his conversion on the road to Damascus. American wine wine picks

What can you say about an excellently turned out Chardonnay? Which brings me back to the Chardonnay. It's a bit riper than a Burgundy and with more alcohol 14% yet is very Burgundian in style in its elegance. Argentina News alenstein family of wines argentina chardonnay chief winemaker jose antonio galante malbec pinot noir

After all, Beaujolais, south of Burgundy, is home to the red wine grape Gamay, with the area known for its signature soils. Recently I had the opportunity to attend a tweet up led by Rodolphe Boulanger showcasing Chardonnay from the area. Beaujolais Chardonnay, Terres Dorées, Brun Beaujolais 2009.

It is almost a Blanc de Noirs - 57% Meunier, 38% Pinot, and 5% Chardonnay. My favorite so far is the exquisite 2004 Quinte Essence Brut, made of 60% Pinot, 25% Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay from vineyards in Belval-sous-Châtillon (if I understood correctly). Isabelle and Franck Pascal, and their name tags. That's right.3 cases.

Raj Parr is the wine director at Michael Mina’s restaurants and a partner at RN74, a Burgundy-centered restaurant in San Francisco. When RN74 opened a couple of years ago, Parr drew attention by saying that he wouldn’t carry pinot noirs or chardonnays over 14% alcohol. Ta-dah! So, what to make of this? American wine

White wine varietals that are receptive to oak’s influence include: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and of course Chardonnay. Just grab a bottle of well-oaked Chardonnay and an “unoaked” Chardonnay (typically labeled as “unoaked” or “naked” Chardonnay) and do a side-by-side taste test. Why Oak Wine?

Actually, the word 'cool' is clever as it describes two clear facts about this Chardonnay: it is cool climate (read Burgundian cool) and the idea of a Canadian Chardonnay is, well, cool. These wines will give Burgundy a run for its money! News Wines of Canada - Seriously Cool ChardonnayBurrowing Owl Estate Winery 2005.

The hills of Champagne, as in Burgundy, are divided into many individually named vineyards, some containing more than one lieu-dit , or named parcel. Champagne houses, in general, followed a different path. Champagne is a blended wine, mostly. Makes perfect sense, when you think about it. This means "Pure Mesnil, Blanc de Blancs."

When trying to learn about terroir, Champagne presents challenges that Burgundy, for example, does not. Although the majority of Burgundy wines are of the regional or villages classification, single vineyard bottles are so widely available that your local wine shop doesn't have to be particularly creative to stock them.

2007 Dierberg Chardonnay (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley). Many characteristics of Burgundy (Meursault) in terms of the warmth, richness, yet also California style in terms of its expression. USA Wine reviews 2007 Dierberg Chardonnay 2008 Star Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. color: straw, med intensity.

This is because the wine is from a place that actually favors and specializes in Pinot Noir, not Chardonnay. We drank three mature white Burgundy wines, one from Meursault, one from Puligny, and one Corton-Charlemagne. Another fellow disagreed, saying that the wine didn't have the mouth feel of Nebbiolo, that this was more Burgundy.

2000) Tarlant Champagne La Vigne d'Antan Extra Brut Non-Grefée Chardonnay , $65, was imported by Jon-David Headrick Selections, not sure who imports it now. Awesome wine, and it's the same price as a newly released 1er cru red Burgundy from a good terroir. White Burgundy is tough to buy, I think. Very impressive. Very lovely.

It does not look like the“chateau&# etched onto label of the typical Chardonnay bottle. Jeanne-Marie De Champs is the owner of Domaines et Saveurs Collection and works with several Burgundian producers to bring their wines to the United States. As Jeanne-Marie drives toward the Chateau, I am a bit surprised. The Tasting.

They sky is grey and brooding, as always seems to be the case in Burgundy, yet is romantic and inspiring. In the 19th century, it was owned by Jules Belin, one of Burgundy's top negotiants. The grapes coem from old vine Chardonnay in a section of the Clos de l'Arlot and whole cluster pressed. George. Surprise in the Vineyard.

Because of economic grants and the demands of the international market, many producers are blending with international varietals especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and to a lesser extent, Chardonnay. … so when you think of Portugal, you probably think of Port, yes? About Lisbon. Meeting Producers. Alorna. Quinta de Sant’ Ana.

Edward Behr in his Art of Eating number 72, 2006 devoted to the Jura suggested that it was a version or strain of chardonnay. The way he wrote it led me to think that it was in fact chardonnay. There is of course plenty of "regular" chardonnay grown in the Jura, which he wrote about at length. It is a cousin of Chardonnay.

Yes, there is an “Anything But Chardonnay&# club, dubbed “ABC&# , that from what I gather is anti anything Chardonnay. While I am not a club member, I have become mostly disenfranchised with Chardonnay. Or at least Chardonnay NOT from Burgundy.

was at a dinner with Peter Wasserman a few weeks ago and he told me that Aligoté used to be 40-50% of Burgundy plantings, even in the 1er and Grand Cru plots. It needs to be picked later than Chardonnay. So, is there something happening here - are Burgundy producers making better Aligoté, or are these wines still best as Kir fodder?

Tissot also makes some lovely examples of Chardonnay. These are not your father’s white Burgundies. An academically interesting wine, but I preferred the chardonnays. Stephane Tissot from the Jura outside Les Caves Augé in Paris. Although we’ve never met, Tim Eustis is a friend of a friend. By Timothy Eustis.

Today was the day to celebrate the Maconnais – one of the sunniest and most southern areas of Burgundy. The soil is limestone here and the wine is high in acidity, but riper than Chardonnay in the North. That afternoon we went to domaine Anne Gros à Vosne-Romanée for an event honoring Burgundy’s female winemakers.

Wine friends, I’ve been obsessed with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir since my visit to Burgundy to take part in the Les Grand Jours De Bourgogne – a very exciting week in the lives of journalists and trade professionals, and of course the winemakers throughout Burgundy. 10th Edition Les Grands Jours De Bourgogne. Tropez.

The well-curated selection, strong in wines from the Loire, Burgundy and Italy, features many wines from Kermit Lynch as well as other importers and some domestic wines. When I stopped by last month, Michael was there and a $13 natural chardonnay from the Languedoc was being poured in the store. John label in the East Bay.

This is Chardonnay, technically from the Loire Department, but we're talking closer to Lyon and Burgundy than to Vouvray or Chinon. It's not easy to find delicious, varietally correct, old school Chardonnay. Is it possible to drink great wine on a daily basis if you're not rich? think it it is possible, yes. or $13.50

White Burgundy Tasting. And since Chardonnay is such a popular grape, and Burgundy, France, such a respected region, you decide to go in this direction. Recently, I had to taste and compare three white Burgundies from the above-named region in the same vintage for a Master of Wine related exercise. And there you have it!

The Burgundy requester snuck in another question. We narrowed it to wines from the Jura: Savagnin vs. Chardonnay with a few Vin Jaune in there as well. Alice- I'll like to stage a wine tasting. Maybe 6 bottles for a holiday get together with dear friends -- whites from Loire (Huet is a very happy discovery) or Jura. He's on his own.

11.99 **Terres Dorees (Jean-Paul Brun) 2008 Beaujolais Chardonnay Your guests will fall in love with you, even the california drinkers. Real burgundy. The one everyone has been waiting for, party wines from Chambers Street Wines, my home away from home. Expect a touch of that old natural VA. Lovely.

Wanted land in Burgundy. Can you imagine tasting an oxidative wine for the first time after working with burgundy chardonnay and saying, what the hell, let's make that? Born in Bavaria, trained as an architecture in Toulouse, Ludwig Binderangel got the wine bug, attended the viticole in Beaune. Was attacked by sticker shock.

The Lassaigne estate is located in Montgueux, a large chalky hill whose vineyards produce what many consider to be the finest Chardonnay grapes in the Aube. This place, known as the Montrachet of Champagne, is an island of Chardonnay in a sea of Pinot Noir. Some would call them "hipster" wines, and perhaps they're right.

2006 Monte Bello Chardonnay / * Straw hay nearly yellow gold color, with noticeable tropical fruit notes on the head, yet not redundantly oaky, this is an athletic chardonnay that has staved off flabbiness with a certain I can't say what sex appeal. 2004 Dynamite Hill Petite Sirah this wine a behemoth pimp in a blue fedora.

It wasn't even noon when I understood that I would be opening a Jura Chardonnay or Savagnin made in the under-the-veil style. The 2005 Philippe Bornard Arbois Pupillin Pinot Noir L'Aide Mémoire , $30, Savio Soares Selections, is an entirely different Pinot Noir, if you're used to the wines of Burgundy. year old daughter in mind.

Yes, it is a great white Burgundy, and yes, I got mine for $15 a bottle. You would know instantly that this is a Burgundy Chardonnay if it were served to you blind - it is that clean and true. The nose has great freshness, the citrus and Chardonnay fruit ripe and detailed, and saturated with stony minerals.

My wine club’s Burgundy theme continued this past week, summer style, with the white wines of Chablis.  “Chablis is the northernmost wine district of the Burgundy region in France&#.  The wines of Chablis are (generally) made from 100% Chardonnay.  Tags: wine tasting Burgundy Chablis William Fevre

Here are some that moved me, along with a few impressions: 1995 Mount Eden Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains - if California wine tasted like this, I would drink lots of California wine. And by the way, put this up against a lot of white Burgundy from the same year and this will come out ahead, as there is not even a hint of oxidation.

study of 2,000 US and 1,000 UK wine consumers found strong knowledge of Bordeaux, Champagne and Burgundy but recognition of the Barossa Valley in Australia and Marlborough in New Zealand was weak. SIPPED: Canadian Chardonnay. SPIT: causation! Does moderate alcohol consumption make people lead healthier lives? Eegad! NYT ].

2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River. 2006 Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills. NV Pirie Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Tasmania. 2001 Yarrabank Late Disgorged Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley. Chardonnay (4A). 2006 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills.

And my my pal Bruce had a bunch of people over for dinner and selected Burgundy as his wine theme, and he was quite generous with the bottles he opened. This is Leroy and it's supposed to be among the very best wines of Burgundy. But when I spend that kind of dough on a bottle of red Burgundy I'm looking for more of a terroir stamp.

The wine feels supple in the mouth, and there are typical Chardonnay characteristics of citrus and orchard fruit, but this wine is absolutely and unmistakably Chablis, with prominent seashell and iodine notes, and almost punishing minerality. Tags: Chablis Domaine Oudin Wine of the Week Burgundy Jenny and François The nerve on him!

This is a blend of mostly Chardonnay and some Aligoté made in Savigny-lès-Beaune by a producer that makes only Crémant, highly unusual for a Burgundy producer. And with about a half hour open, I realized that it actually tastes like still Chardonnay from Savigny-lès-Beaune, which is a good thing - it tastes good. Is that tacky?

I've had graceful and complex Oregon Pinot Noir, energetic and resonant Long Island Cabernet Sauvignon, and balanced and delicious California Chardonnay. Burgundy isn't cheap either, but most producers make a Bourgogne or even a village wine that retails in the $20 range - and these can be fantastic wines. What's up with that?

Optimal serving temperature of: Beaujolais 55 Merlot 63 Berenauslese 43 Pinot Noir 63 Bordeaux 63 Port 63 Burgundy, Red 63 Riesling 46 Cabernet 63 Rose 46 Champagne 46 Sauterne 46 Chardonnay 50 Sauvignon Blanc 46 Chianti 59 Shiraz 63 Dessert Wine 43 Tokay 43 Ice Wine 43 Viognier 50 Madeira 55 Zinfandel 59.

home : wine recommendations : wine girl for hire : bio : articles : contact « Another Domaine Up For Sale | Main | Chardonnay Series: Part Four. Hedda Gabler » Chardonnay Series: Part 3A. But the most demanding one is Chardonnay. The number of places that produce great chardonnay in the world are extremely limited.

His own technique was informed by Burgundy (having made wine at Guy Roulot's in Meursault) but there is no doubt that he is making wine in California and that is exactly the land he is trying to express through his bottles, and one of those grapes that he is giving voice to is Chardonnay. But the most demanding one is Chardonnay.

Nothing othing but older burgundy (or barolo or Cornas) would do to haul me out of the hole. But that was the only other white Burgundy that came close to this experience. And, one of my next stories is California Chardonnay? Nothing othing but older burgundy (or barolo or Cornas) would do to haul me out of the hole.

home : wine recommendations : wine girl for hire : bio : articles : contact « Alice Does a Jig | Main | Chardonnay Series: One Way To Torture Alice? Oh, I wouldnt bring out the heavy guns, or the older burgundy. Of course, downmarket economy or not, I need my weekly Indian food fix. Im a writer, its always down market for me.

was equally sure he was going to order some fat, over-oaked chardonnay. All Aligoté, its an underachiever grape of Burgundy from a terrific producer. sighed, was he really suggesting a chardonnay from a bad producer instead of Aligoté from an excellent one? was equally sure he was going to order some fat, over-oaked chardonnay.

Turns out it was the 1998 Mont Mains and the Napa-based wine industry guy shared the wealth, he called it Chardonnay. The wine was still fresh yet overripe and though I cringe at calling Chablis chardonnay, he was right. When Im in this mood nothing but Old Fashioned and OLD Barolo or Burgundy will do. JEALOUSY! JEALOUSY!

I don't know if this happens everywhere, but at every party or picnic I attend, there is always some body watching their calorie intake and monitoring each and every bite of food they consume. always have to laugh at those who always order two cheeseburgers, a large order of fries and a "Diet" coke. Probably not.

Anyway, on this afternoon I witnessed the following exchange: Man with two young kids: Excuse me, I bought two bottles of Yellowtail Chardonnay here last week and they were both corked. Is it even physically possible for Yellowtail Chardonnay to be corked? There was a second bottle present, so we tasted that one too.

An eagle eyed publicist at Kendall-Jackson spotted a mention of their Chardonnay in an interview the Obamas did with People magazine. Celebrate a historic victory such as his with a $12 chardonnay? The climate, both meteorological and economic, put a damper on the annual charity auction for barrels of red Burgundy. Reuters ].

It's a little too cold for Sancerre so I opted for this bottle of 2003 Peter Michael chardonnay from the "Ma Belle Fille" section of the Knight's Valley estate vineyard. Pamela Anderson chardonnay. Very unlike anything I've tasted from Burgundy - in fact, I don't think Burgundy can even make a wine like this. Number 1.

And when we think of where Chardonnay is today in the human consciousness it is easy to ignore or not even be able to contemplate its humble beginnings. Before Cali, before the new world there was chardonnay but even then it was considered the new kid on the block.in And when it did Chardonnay was born. theory. Cheers

This 2006 Macon-Lugny "Les Charmes" Chardonnay * from Cave de Lugny was like a coil of ripe sweet grapefruit. good value from Burgundy for a light chardonnay to serve at dinner.

when Hanzell Vineyards imported new French oak barrels, wineries mimicked the way wine was made in Chardonnay's old home of Burgundy. The nasty over oaked buttery Chardonnay that people are shunning these days is the style we must begin with. Chardonnay came to California in the 1930's but wasn't thought about much.

From Bordeaux we settled down in the Burgundy section.  There was a very sweet and warm woman telling me about her move to Burgundy, prompted following a "visit" there.  I tasted a good deal of both red (Pinot Noir) and white (Chardonnay) burgundy. I still have lots to learn about Pinot Noir and Burgundies in particular. 

Many entrepreneurs had failed making winegrowers from Bordeaux , Burgundy , and Languedoc work together. light Chardonnay , not overly oaked and slighty fruit-forward is a perfect pairing to that. try the Chamarré Grande Réserve Chardonnay! Tell us a little about the history of Chamarré. The reasons for this underperformance?

Light bodied and mellow, for the "i don't drink chardonnay" crowd. Pale yellow gold. Lemon citrus at first; later, honeydue and tropical fruits. An all around pleaser that won't break the bank. Good value

While Bordeaux sits atop the throne of wine (alongside its more elegant Queen - Burgundy) what troubles me about many of the top Bordeaux is its need to be aged before it is even approachable. As to white wines, beginning with Chardonnay or other whites fermented and aged in oak barrels, these are much the same story as Cabernet.

The owners, Darolyn and Chris, welcomed us with gusto and a chilled bottle of chardonnay. Given my partiality for Northern Italian, Spanish and Burgundy wines, I felt like I was being reunited with a long-lost relative. Dee and P were happily surprised at how much they liked the wines. I'm pretty sure that he wants to go back.

Obviously there are those of us that want more from our wine, much like my coffee passionate friends that go pale when they see me drinking my iced fat free, sugar free vanilla latte (California Chardonnay anyone? Now, what could make the fellow happier? Commentary to follow. Feel free not to wait. Signed.one of the terroir jihadist. Sheesh.

started with a white blend of 50% Semillon & 50% chardonnay that I really enjoyed. There were only 2 wines, a Chardonnay and a bordeaux blend. The 2006 Chardonnay spends 3 months "Sue Lie" (on its lees or mixture of yeast cells, grape pulp, etc), gets filtered, and then goes back into the French oak barrels for another 7-8 months.

began in a French table area and tried some Sancerres (made from Sauvignon Blanc), some white Burgundys (made from Chardonnay) and some white blends. Hubery Lamy of Burgundy presented 3 wines. He wants his wines to show a nice purity of fruit (Chardonnay) and as such uses large 600 liter (mostly neutral) barrels.

enjoyed a nice Pinot Gris & Chardonnay of theirs. Georges 1er Cru (a red Burgundy for those who don't have a masters in wine labeling) had some nice cherry and forest berry on the nose, together with some minerality & earthiness. then moved on the the Burgundies of Domaine Henri Jouan. Great stuff. really enjoyed it.

In case you're not familiar with Jenny & Francois , they import natural wines from all over France, from heavy hitters like Burgundy to unsung heroes like the Côtes de Duras (just northeast of Bordeaux, and considered Southwest France). 2007 Haut la Vigne Côtes de Duras - 50-50 chardonnay and semillon. Maybe a bit of both.

Global warming might transform Burgundy into a hot climate from a cool one. La Romanee Conti might cease to become the spot for stunning Burgundy. The New World is going to be more pressed to observe the rules of nature, meaning perhaps people wont continue to grow chardonnay in hot climates. His response drew applause.

If I had to make a generalization about the wines, it would be this: they are absolutely individual, as are the wines of Burgundy or any other great region. love the entry level wine, called Expression, an interesting blend that is mostly Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, with a touch of Chardonnay thrown in for good measure. Much better.

Belle Pente bottles a range of whites, including a Pinot Gris, a Riesling, a Gewurztraminer, and of course a Chardonnay. BrooklynLady said "this smells old world and tastes new world," and I think I know what she meant, as I might easily mistake it for Burgundy on the nose, but not on the palate. Prices really are quite reasonable.

Main | Hearty Burgundy at Sanford? Id sure rather drink Faux Chablis than 95% of the soft spineless sugary oak chipped too-alcoholic muck that sells as California Chardonnay, often for ridiculous prices. home : wine recommendations : wine girl for hire : bio : articles : contact « Come to a Reading? Do check it out. where was I.

Who could argue with a red Burgundy to pair with your braised beef in red wine and a crusty baguette? Recommended to me by the always reliable Amy Louise Pommier at Prospect Wine Shop , it is 100% Chardonnay. And usually that means red wine. I'm certainly not here to argue, and I love exactly that pairing. Not to be, though.

Wine Blogging Wednesday is upon us again, installment # 39, and the theme is Silver Burgundy , or the wines of the Côte Chalonnaise or the Mâconnais. This is a brilliant white wine, a Chardonnay that could go toe to toe with some from the far more famous and expensive Côte d'Or, the home of the Montrachets and of Meursault.

As a little preview, I want to share a bit about three interesting Silver Burgundy wines that we sampled with dinner the other night. Jean-Claude is the third generation vigneron and his impressive stable of Chardonnay wines includes St Veran, a Mâcon-Pierreclos, and several other village wines, some under the name Domaine de la Bongran.

What do you think of when you hear "Burgundy?" I think of endlessly beguiling and beautiful Pinot Noir, and also of Chardonnay - crystalline, tense, and rich. And this is the theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday #39 - taste a bottle(s) of Silver Burgundy, wine from either the Côte Chalonnaise or the Mâconnais.

The late Daniel Thibaut who had been the winemaker at Charles Heidsieck described Montgueux, with 446 acres of vines planted to 85% Chardonnay, as theMontrachet of Champagne. Mile follows mile of eye numbing non-viticulture agriculture. And, of in the distance is the hill. It is a BIG hill. There are vines on the south eastern slope.

mean, this stuff is more expensive at the entry level than Burgundy, so to be able to taste the whole lineup like this, to learn this much at one time about Grower Champagne, to determine which are the wines that I want for my own cellar.fughedabadit. Brooklynguy is in love with Champagne. What an opportunity! Too rich for you? Me too.

The beautiful thing about going to the Martin Scott Portfolio Tasting, for me, is that I get to taste Burgundy wines that I have never before tasted, and that in all likelihood I will not taste again unless I go next year. Such a great way to learn about the character of the '05 vintage in white Burgundy. Highly drinkable.

decided to focus on Champagne and Burgundy, and to taste whatever Loire wine I came across, but there are not many of those in the portfolio. 2004 Schramsberg Vineyards Brut Rose (7+) 66% Chardonnay here. This one is mostly Chardonnay, and had a piercing nose of flowers and minerals, some citrus too. Also very good. What a nose!

So this month's theme is Naked Chardonnay , or un-oaked Chardonnay. From the late '80s through the late '90s ( all dates are approximate , and cannot be confirmed ) Chardonnay was generic swill that the masses got when ordering white wine. Just give me a Chardonnay. So why naked or un-oaked Chardonnay? Many more.

Cremant de Bourgogne, the sparkling wine of Burgundy, is almost always a good bet, and you don't have to spend more than $10-15 a bottle. Made from a blend of Chardonnay (some of the grapes actually do come from vineyards in Champagne, but not all) and Chenin Blanc, this is medium to light bodied and citrusy - refreshing stuff.

Innocent's winemaker, will be doing two outrageous wine dinners jointly with Volnay Burgundy legend (in Mark's mind anyway) Jean-Pierre Charlot of Domaine Joseph Voillot (Volnay). Both dinners will feature 2005 red and white Burgundies from Voillot and 2005 Pinot noir and Chardonnay from St. Hello Portland! Mark Vlossak, St.

recently discovered a Napa Valley Chardonnay that I really like. So on a recent very hot Friday night I go down to his basement and open the fridge, imagining sipping a yummy and cool Chardonnay. But what is this - a California Chardonnay? Stony Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay. know, sounds odd, right? Why, yes it is.

Yes, there is some white wine (Chardonnay) made in Beaujolais, but almost 99% of production is red wine, and it's all about Gamay. To use the Burgundy analogy, there is regional wine (called Bourgougne, Cotes de Beaune, or Cotes de Nuits), village level wine (Vosne-Romanee, Auxey-Durresses, Pommard, etc.), Okay, that's it.

Here are some from the past few weeks that did not get their own post: Burgundy NV Domaine des Terres Dorees (Jean-Paul Brun) Beaujolais FRV 100 , $19 (SIP Fine Wines, Brooklyn). have never heard of this producer, but there are MANY Burgundy wine makers I've never heard of. rare pleasure to taste a well aged white Burgundy.

A few wines of interest from the past few weeks that don't get their own post: Burgundy 2003 Marechal Savigny Les Beaune Vieille Vignes , $ unknown (restaurant purchase). If I'm not mistaken, it was this wine that won the NYTimes tasting panels' "Village Burgundy" blind tasting a little over a year ago. Not likely - it's only 2007.

2001 Hafner Reserve Chardonnay, Alexander Valley - Great nose of vanilla and tropical fruit, pineapple, citrus too. I'm lucky because my father in-law likes wine and keeps some good bottles in the house. was impressed with the two wine stores I went into. 500 bottles of wine in the bins! The city just seemed safe like that, more civilized.

2005 Jean Manciat Macon Vieille Vignes , price unknown (about $30) - old vine Chardonnay from the Maconnais, a Burgundian region known for value whites. 2005 Jean Manciat Macon Charnay Franclieu , $17 - Manicat's Chardonnay for younger drinking, fresh, vibrant, and delicious. hauled my butt into Manhattan (!) Impossible in this venue.

This is a tasting of an amazing portfolio of producers primarily from the Loire Valley, but also including one or two from Burgundy, Beaujolais, Languedoc-Roussillon, Bugey, Bordeaux, and Piedmont. Friday March 23 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Prospect Wine Shop and Greene Grape Wines (both will offer smaller versions of the tasting).

Father-in-law stunned us by bringing to this dinner a bottle of mature Burgundy wine, a 1993 Volnay 1er Cru by Robert Ampeau, a producer I had never encountered. Silky texture, flavors of cooked red fruit and clay earth with some dried leaf character - an interesting and delicious mature Burgundy. Deep golden color, very inviting.

We talked about chardonnay and how it became popular in the vineyards of Australia a little over twenty-five years ago to which I mentioned that I also heard that there are some spots in the south western part of the continent that has cool ocean current climates which are great for Riesling. Well that one got me. And so I did. Pretty cool.