Winemaker Notes
Located just north of the state of Washington, British Columbia includes five distinct Geographical Indications; its vineyards mostly surround the cities of Vancouver and Victoria and include a few more inland locations. The region grows about 80 different varieties including Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Riesling as well as Merlot, Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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.