LEGENDS OF CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY
Wine Spectator|July 31, 2022
Winemakers who raised the bar for the Golden State’s star white grape
MARYANN WOROBIEC
LEGENDS OF CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY

It’s a Golden Age for Golden State Chardonnay. A high bar for quality has been set, and there are more outstanding- and classic-scoring bottlings than ever. The wines—whether dis-tinctive single-vineyards or inspired regional blends—show exquisite balance between elegance and power. It’s no wonder that Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the United States.

But it wasn’t always that way. Thanks to a group of vintners committed to excellence, Chardonnay has evolved in California from inconsistent wines to a landscape of expressive styles often built for the cellar. In this story, we profile seven Chardonnay titans, winemakers who have paved the way to the quality wine lovers expect today. Many were inspired by Burgundy, the grape’s spiritual home. But rather than just preserve tradition, these leaders have applied science and decades of experience to fine-tune their own methodologies, knowing that their decisions in the vineyard and cellar will have transparency in the wines they produce.

Here, we focus on winemakers who have had the biggest influence on California Chardonnay so far, but there are dozens of others who also elevate the category and are worthy of praise. For a look at some of the future’s potential legends, see “Talent Show,” beginning on page 55.

Mark Aubert

THE ARCHITECT

この記事は Wine Spectator の July 31, 2022 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Wine Spectator の July 31, 2022 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

WINE SPECTATORのその他の記事すべて表示
New Zealand's Success Story - From small beginnings, the country's wines have ascended to global prominence
Wine Spectator

New Zealand's Success Story - From small beginnings, the country's wines have ascended to global prominence

Since then, New Zealand has become one of the world’s most successful wine nations. Currently there are 102,000 acres planted, and 40 million cases were sold in 2023, according to the New Zealand Winegrowers. The tiny country produces less than 2% of the global wine supply, but it’s the world’s sixth-largest exporter of wine by value. Another thing that’s evolved? The image of corks no longer applies, as most vintners there eschew cork (only about 15% of the wines we review still use the closure).

time-read
5 分  |
October 31, 2024
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers - Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
Wine Spectator

Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers - Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.

There’s also strong evidence that alcohol consumption raises the risk of certain cancers and that heavy drinking carries serious health risks. But the reasons why moderate drinking seems to be neutral or beneficial for some people and harmful for others remains a mystery.A new study sought to solve that puzzle. Looking at health and lifestyle information for a large population, the researchers found that while any alcohol posed risks for adults with existing health problems from poorer areas, healthy adults from wealthier areas suffered no additional risks from moderate drinking, and those who drink wine with food even enjoyed better health.

time-read
3 分  |
October 31, 2024
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
Wine Spectator

In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust

“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”

time-read
4 分  |
October 31, 2024
SEAVEY VINEYARD
Wine Spectator

SEAVEY VINEYARD

In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum

time-read
7 分  |
October 31, 2024
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
Wine Spectator

CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range

RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES

time-read
5 分  |
October 31, 2024
Tuscany Comes of Age
Wine Spectator

Tuscany Comes of Age

Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality

time-read
9 分  |
October 31, 2024
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
Wine Spectator

The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America

PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR

time-read
8 分  |
October 31, 2024
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
Wine Spectator

Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.

A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.

time-read
2 分  |
August 31, 2024
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Wine Spectator

Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing

Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing

time-read
2 分  |
August 31, 2024
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Wine Spectator

Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.

Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.

time-read
3 分  |
August 31, 2024