Winemaker Notes
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
The flat plains of Emilia are home to Italy's famous, slightly sparking red, Lambrusco. While historically popular in large volumes, Lambrusco suffered a bit of scorn as an overly simple and sweet, frothy wine. Today there is an artisanl pull to produce small-batch, quality-focused dry and sweet versions within its four distinct Lambrusco subregions.