WineLife365

If you like Chardonnay, I mean really good Chardonnay, and you’ve got at least $40 to spare, then you might want to consider getting to know the awesome Chardonnay made in Burgundy, France.  Burgundy, France is home to some of the finest Chardonnay Chateaus in the world.  However, this dive into the great unknown of French Chardonnay can be awfully intimidating.  Unfamiliar French words like Montrachet or Macon, Grand Cru and Premier Cru are enough to scare you right back to that familiar aisle marked, “California Chardonnay”.

Stop!  Put down that Cali Chardonnay and march back over to the White Burgundy aisle.  You need not despair if you write down or remember these three White Burgundy names:

1.)    Puligny-Montrachet - the Mecca for many of the worlds finest Chardonnays.  It’s low on the oak and heavy on flavor.  However, the “best-of-the best” can be priced as high as a used 1995 Chevy Malibu.

2.)    Chassagne-Montrachet - Chardonnay with great complexity, sometimes even bigger or fuller in taste than the Puligny-Montrachet, but often times priced less expensive. Think dinner for two at Applebee’s prices.

3.)    Meursault – A lot more oaky and buttery in most cases than the other two, but the price tag can still give you a nose bleed.

There you have it – the only 3 names that you need to memorize the next time that you’re in the market for a “special occasion” Chardonnay.  They also have the added cachet of being French.  Don’t forget to bring some extra cash with you though!

Cheers!